What is Lehrhaus Judaica?
“Learning is a mitzvah in both senses of the word: as a commandment and as a blessing — of such importance that Jews have argued for millennia about which is greater, study or action. Our tradition leans towards study, on the grounds that learning leads to action, which demonstrates how inseparable study and action are for us. Learning is felt by many to be a form of worship, and the synagogue has almost always also been a beit midrash , a house of study.”-- Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
Our tradition of study at CBST began in our very first year with classes in Hebrew, Torah, and Talmud. Since then, classes in every aspect of Judaism as well as our LGBT heritage have become a major feature of life at CBST.
In 1998, with the help of a four-year UJA-Federation continuity grant, we created our Lehrhaus Judaica program, offering adult education classes and attended by hundreds of students from CBST’s own membership as well as the community at large. Classes, divided into different semesters throughout the year, are taught by our Rabbis, Cantor, Rabbinical Interns, and many noted academics and learned volunteers from around the world.
Building Community
People come to CBST’s Lehrhaus to learn, but even more significantly, they come to connect, to form community, in the way Jews have always connected and formed community with one another—by sharing a relationship to the texts and issues of our Jewish tradition. Lehrhaus has proven itself to be one of the most powerful of all CBST’s approaches to building a spiritual community.
Classes range from beginner to more advanced. While each year brings a variety of specialized classes related to the schedule--and usually connected to the individual skills and expertise of our Rabbinical Interns and Lehrhaus teachers--classes generally fall within the following umbrella categories.
Synagogue Skills
These classes include Beginner and Advanced Hebrew, Torah/Haftarah Cantillation, and classes that illuminate elements of Shabbat and holiday services.
Ancient Texts, Modern Contexts
We offer courses that take a contemporary, LGBT-friendly view of ancient Jewish texts drawn from the Midrash, Talmud, and elsewhere.
Art as Sacred Text
Led by experts in their field, these programs offer tours and lectures that focus on museum exhibits, films, and photo/video presentations.
Talmud U’ma’aseh
These are courses that provide Jewish perspectives on social issues, such as domestic workers’ rights.
Celebrating Difference
The Lehrhaus offers specialized courses connected to various segments of our CBST community, including courses for non-Jewish partners.
Adult B’nai Mitzvah
For adults who wish to have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, CBST offers a wonderful three-year course of study, including Hebrew and Torah classes through the Lehrhaus program. This enriching journey of Jewish learning and self-exploration culminates in the joyous occasion of your own Bar or Bat Mitzvah at a Shabbat morning service before the CBST congregation. So far, CBST has hosted 46 Adult B’nai Mitzvah, and we are currently beginning the first year of the three-year program. Consult the Lehrhaus catalog for more information.
