COMMUNITY LEARNING

SPS UNIVERSITY 2026 - 2027

Let’s Learn Together

Weekly Torah Study with The Clergy

Friday mornings at 9 am

On zoom, with rotating clergy:

Each week heading into Shabbat, our group meets to review the weekly sedra (Torah reading), both to attain familiarity with our foundational laws and stories, and also to discuss the various themes. We don’t shy away from hard questions, and we learn in a way that invites learners of all backgrounds and familiarity with the text.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95656264206
Call-In Number: 646-876-9923
Meeting ID: 956 5626 4206 , Email ajohnson@spsnyc.org to use password

Swimming in the Sea of Talmud with Rabbi Dave

Wednesdays at 12 pm

In person at SPS

Join Rabbi Dave for an exploration of the Talmud. We will use "Swimming in the Sea of Talmud," by Rabbis Gershon Schwartz z"l and Michael Katz, as we examine the ethical, moral, and legal teachings of the Talmud. No experience or bathing suits necessary.

The Book of Genesis in the Context of the Ancient Near East: Poetic Readings in Biblical Beginnings taught by Rabbi David Whiman

Thursdays, October 15, 22, 29 & November 5 at 7pm

In person at SPS

Poetics is a field of analysis that examines the conventions, characteristic techniques, compositional habits and ways of treating a subject in a specific type of literature. The narrative content of the Book of Genesis was deeply influenced by the literature of the Ancient Near East but took that inheritance in a radically different direction to proclaim a revolutionary theology and way of making sense of the world. Stripping away 2000 years of Rabbinic commentary, we will read the Torah on its own terms and try to make sense of some of the more perplexing episodes in Genesis.

No knowledge of Hebrew is required.

Please rsvp to jfein@spsnyc.org to enroll in the course.

Navigating the Talmud: An Introduction to Talmud Learning with Rabbinic Intern Natan Hason

Mondays, November 2, 9 & 16 at 7pm

In person at SPS

In these 3 sessions we will wrestle with the famous Talmudic discussion of the Ben Sorer U’Moreh (The Stubborn and Rebellious Son). These sessions will serve as an introduction to Talmud learning for those new to this foundational text of our tradition, as well as an opportunity to refine and develop skills for those who already have some experience. Participants. should be able to sound-out Hebrew text, but no prior knowledge of Talmud or Hebrew comprehension is required.

Please rsvp to jfein@spsnyc.org to enroll in the course.

Jewish Parenting with Rabbi Ain

Thursdays, November 5, December 3 & January 7 at 7:30 pm

In person at SPS

What can we glean from Jewish teachings that can help us raise Jewish children who are proud of and excited about their heritage join Rabbi Ain and other parents to talk about ways of increasing Jewish content and practice in your home in a way that will fit with your busy lifestyle.

Please rsvp to jfein@spsnyc.org to enroll in the course.

A Palace in Time: Studying the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel with Rabbi Ain

November 14 and December 12 following Kiddush

In person at SPS

Shabbat is our most commonly observed Jewish holiday. One of the foremost theologians of the 20th century was Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Rabbi Ain looks forward to discussing some of his teachings from his seminal work "The Sabbath" as we think together about how to create a palace in time in a way that will bring more sanctity and peace to our busy lives.

Judaism for Two with Rabbi Ain

Wednesdays, November 18, December 2, January 13 & January 27 at 8:30 pm

On Zoom

Starting your life with another person is very exciting and also is an opportunity to clarify the home you’re building together. Join Rabbi Ain and other couples on zoom as you explore what it means to be living Judaism for 2. How can Jewish tradition ignite conversations about your Jewish home? Topics will include how to talk about money, how to think about Jewish education for yourself and your family, what it means to be part of the larger Jewish community and how to create sacredtime for you and your loved one. Registration required - please note this class is complimentary for members and $72 per couple for non-members. Please register at: https://spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/judaismfortwo

Become an Adult B’nai Mitzvah at SPS with the SPS Clergy Team

Saturdays following kiddush beginning January 9, 2027 through June 5, 2027 (with weeks off for various holidays)

In person at SPS

Are you an adult who hasn’t yet publicly celebrated becoming B’nai mitzvah? Do you want to go deeper into areas of Jewish thought and practice in anticipation of a group service. Jewish adults who would like to participate in this opportunity will be meeting as a group from January through June on Shabbat afternoon following kiddish. This course will be taught each week by different members of our clergy as you get to know each of them over the course of the program, studying Jewish ideas, learningTorah trope and parts of the Shabbat service, and preparing for a meaningful celebration on the Shabbat of the second day of Shavuot June 12th. You must be a member in good standing to participate. Please let us knowby November 20 if you plan to enroll by filling out the form at https://spsnyc.shulcloud.com/form/adultmitzvah2627

Kosher Horoscopes: Judaism and Astrology with Rabbinic Intern Natan Hason

Saturday, January 9 following kiddush,

In person at SPS

What has Judaism really taught about astrology? Is it forbidden astral magic or are the stars and planets truly conduits for the Divine Will? What issues does astrology present for a Jewish theology? Together we will explore diverging perspectives on astrology from some of the great sages of the medieval and early modern periods, and how what they have to say may impact our own thinking today.

The History of Jewish Women with Rabbi Ain and special guest Dr. Pamela Nadell

Thursdays, January 28, February 25, & March 25 @ 7pm

On Zoom

The history of Jewish women is vast and can take many approaches, so you are invited to join Rabbi Ain and members of the Women’s League (though this is open to all) to look more closely at the development of Jewish women’s history over the 19th 20th and 21st century and how it specifically impacted the Conservative Movement. We will look at key dates, key issues, and key people as we explore the opportunities and challenges for Jewish women over the last two centuries and how we see the results in our congregation today. Our final session will be with Dr. Pamela Nadell, who willspeak about Jewish women’s history, American Jewish history, as well as the history of antisemitism in America, as she braids these threads together we will see the role that women have played in ensuring a strong, vibrant Jewish community.

Evolution of Modern Synagogue Music with Cantor Weiser

Tuesdays, March 2, 9 & 16 @ 8:30 pm

On Zoom

Have you ever wondered how and why our sacred music has come to sound the way it does? Like the Jewish people, our music does not exist in a vacuum; it has always and everywhere been influenced by the sounds of surrounding cultures and shaped by the changing needs and preferences of the communities that produce and use it. Music is an echo of the spirit, history, and inner life of the Jews, and a sonic record of the ever-changing experiences of Jewish groups around the globe. Join Cantor Weiser for this multi-session course that will survey the major developments and controversies in Jewish music history from the 19th Century to the present, and come away feeling ready to enroll in Cantorial school (maybe).

Tracking the 40 Years in the Desert with Rabbi Dave Levy

Wednesday, March 31 at 8 pm

On zoom

What were the Israelites doing for 40 years in the desert? What year was the Golden Calf? The Waters of Meribah? Let's try to reconstruct a timeline of the 40 year journey.

Seder Songs Bootcamp with Cantor Weiser

Tuesday, April 6 @ 7pm

In person at SPS

This class is for anyone who’d like a refresh on our seder songs (and let’s be honest: who doesn’t?!) so you can feel confident and ready to lead your most boisterous and musical seder yet. Not only will we sing through our seder table favorites but we’ll share traditions, new melodies, and pro-tips on musical hosting (or being the host’s favorite musical guest!) This will be the pre-Passover party you won’t want to miss.

Please rsvp to jfein@spsnyc.org to enroll in the course.

Being Jewish on Stage with Cantor Weiser and Ari Axelrod

Saturday, April 17, following kiddush

In person at SPS

Join singer/actor Ari Axelrod and Cantor Weiser for a lively kiddish conversation about Jewish identity as it’s represented on Broadway in itsmany shapes and forms. Our conversation will span the ethics of casting, costuming and portraying when it comes to Jewish actors and/or characters and Ari will delve into his development process for his show: A PLACE FOR US: A CELEBRATION OF JEWISH BROADWAY, which Ari will present at SPS on Tuesday, April 13 @ 7 PM.

20 Years Later: LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Conservative Halakha with Rabbinic Intern Natan Hasson

Tuesdays, May 4 & 18 at 8 pm

On Zoom

In December of 2006 the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards approved the first teshuva affirming gay and lesbian relationships within Conservative halakha. In two Zoom sessions we will revisit the historic Dorff-Nevins-Reisner teshuva that marks this leap forward in our movement’s history, along with other teshuvot and writings, to explore what it says about who we are as Conservative Jews.

Writing the stories only you can tell with Roberta Hershenson.

First Friday of each month at 10:30 am

In person at SPS

Whether your ideas lean toward memoir, essay-writing, humor, or fiction, you are welcome in the SPS writing class led by author and SPS member Roberta Hershenson. Cultivate your inner writer in a group where feedback focuses on encouragement and writers at all levels learn from roundtable responses to their work. Come write with Roberta, author of the acclaimed 2025 music mystery novel Angels’ Blood: Murder in the Chorus, published under the pen name Roberta Mantell.

New to Judaism, or looking to build a foundation of Jewish knowledge? Take the Living Judaism Course with Rabbi Dave

The next session will begin in January 2027

The Living Judaism course provides an overview of Jewish history, texts, rituals, and more. and is a great opportunity for those:

- new to Judaism

- considering conversion

- who never formally studied Judaism.

For for more information, contact Rabbi Dave Levy at RabbiDave@spsnyc.org.