Temple Beth-El, an elite institution for adult learning and a hub of activity for a modern, open-minded, gender-egalitarian and inclusive Jewish experience in Great Neck, just released a comprehensive course catalog called Horizons.
“It’s a catalog of everything that’s going on this year at [Temple Beth-El], but it’s much more than just a list of events,” Rabbi Brian Stoller said. “This booklet tells a great and exciting story of a congregation that is deeply committed to a strong future; a community that is investing in the spiritual, intellectual, social, and cultural lives of its members; a community that encourages everyone to live authentically to who they are—and it’s the story of a congregation that is ambitiously confronting change head-on, just as generations of Jews did before us, so that we can be the authors of our own destiny.”
Horizons’ offerings are organized according to the five core values of Judaism: Torah (Lifelong Learning), Avodah (Worship & Spiritual Practice), G’milut Chasadim (Caring & Social Action), Kehillah (Community), and Israel (the Land of the Jewish People).
“Many activities are cross-listed under more than one core value—just like in a college catalog, some classes are listed under more than one department,” Stoller said. “That’s because each of us has our own way into Jewish life, and we want you to find everything that sparks your curiosity, no matter which section you turn to first.”
Thanks to the new Susan Stumer Cultural Arts Fund, Temple Beth-El has teamed up with the Gold Coast Arts Center to produce a robust variety of music, theater, film and culinary programs for the whole community.
“This investment in our future will make Temple Beth-El a prime center for cultural arts on our peninsula,” Stoller said.
Temple Beth-El’s new Miriam & Moses Center for Pluralistic Adult Jewish Learning will ensure that the temple is a recognized home for sophisticated intellectual Judaism on Long Island, by attracting leading scholars to teach there.
“For nearly a century, we’ve been the beacon of Jewish life in Great Neck,” Stoller said. “People have always counted on this congregation to lead the way—and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We are stepping up our activity, doing things to raise our profile, expand opportunities for involvement, and make our presence in this community felt even more strongly.”
View Horizons at www.tbegreatneck.org or learn more at 516-487-0900 or info@tbegreatneck.org.
Temple Beth-El, a leader in shaping the future of pluralistic Judaism on the western North Shore, has served the community for more than 95 years at 5 Old Mill Road in Great Neck.
