Adult Education

OT offers adult programs throughout the year. There is no fee unless specified. New students are welcome to join continuing classes at any time.

Special Programs

Caring for Our Aging Parents, Wednesday, October 6, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Join Rabbi Kalender, Tala LaManna, JSSA NoVA Senior Services Specialist, and Ivy Weitzner, JSSA NoVA Synagogue Liaison, for an informational, interactive workshop for adult children caring for aging parents (whether local or long-distance). The discussion will focus on sandwich generation issues, balancing your own needs, how to cope with frail parents living alone, and finding resources. See the flyer for more information.

Scenes from Brunch with Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, Chief Rabbi of Uganda

Rabbi Kalender and Rabbi Shalva welcome Rabbi Sizomu

Hebrew On One Foot class, 2009

Ongoing Classes

Hebrew, Tuesday evenings, beginning October 27. Karyn Selko returns as our instructor for Hebrew language courses. This season, Karyn will offer Introductory Hebrew from 7:00pm-8:00pm, and Advanced Hebrew from 8:15pm-9:15pm (immediately following minyan). If you are interested in either class, please contact Karyn at karynselko@aol.com. Classes continue through the spring.

Mishnah Study, Wednesdays, 9:15-10:15am, with Rabbi Kalender. First class of the year will be Oct 7, 2009. Study and discuss this first Jewish code that formed the foundation of Jewish ethics, ritual and theology with Rabbi Kalender. No prior knowledge necessary, and the English translation is used. New students welcome at any time. Contact Priscilla Collier for more information.

Scholar-in-Residence

We appreciate your support. Olam Tikvah generally hosts two Scholar-in-Residence weekends each year. The Scholar-in-Residence program honors the memory of Rabbi Itzhaq Klirs. It is funded through individual contributions to the Rabbi Itzhaq Klirs Adult Education Fund. Your contributions help us finance our Scholar weekends.

Play Golf for Scholars

16th Annual World Of Hope Charity Golf Classic for the Benefit of the Rabbi Itzhaq M. Klirs Adult Education Fund and Capital Hospice, South Riding Golf Course, Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 9:00am. Our Adult Education program, which charges no fees, is funded solely through donations. If you enjoy learning with us, please support our annual golf tournament by sponsoring one hole or playing 18. See the flyer and register by May 4.

Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

Olam Tikvah has hosted Melton courses for several years. Sponsored by the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning, Melton offers a pluralistic program open to adult students throughout the region. The Melton classes provide four text-based courses during a sequential two-year course developed specifically for adult learners. They meet one day a week throughout the academic year (30 sessions).

The first-year curriculum includes

Rhythms of Jewish Living: Central ideas and texts which inform rituals daily, weekly, annual, and life cycle observances.
Purposes of Jewish Living: Essential Jewish theological concepts and ideas as they unfold in the Bible, the Talmud and other sacred texts.

The second-year curriculum includes

Ethics of Jewish Living: Ethical issues such as justice, life and death, sexuality and community, with case studies from Talmudic, rabbinic and contemporary literature.
Dramas of Jewish Living Throughout the Ages: Dramatic developments, experiences and issues from different periods in Jewish history, as reflected in historical texts.

Northern Virginia classes will be offered in beginning the week of October 19, on Thursday mornings at Congregation Olam Tikvah and on Tuesday evenings at the NVJCC. Please direct your questions to Aliza Sperling, Melton Academic Director: (240) 283-6229 or asperling@pjll.org; or Michele Duchin, Melton Regional Director: (240) 283-623 or mduchin@pjll.org.

Melton also offers students the opportunity to continue their studies in Israel. Read Mark Weber's article for a first-hand account of the Melton Israel Seminar.

There is a fee for the Melton classes, payable to the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning. Teachers in Jewish schools receive a discount. For more information or to register for future classes, see the information page of the Washington, DC Florence Melton Adult Mini-School.

3800 Glenbrook Road · Fairfax, Virginia 22031 · phone 703-425-1880 · fax 703-425-0835 · info@olamtikvah.org