Adult Jewish Learning Comes Together in the Austin Jewish Community

Community News, The Jewish Outlook

Jun 23, 2021

Credit: Pixabay.

By Alachua Nazarenko

In Pirkei Avot, a compilation of Jewish ethical teachings, Rabbi Shimon ben Zoma asks, “Who is wise?” and answers, “He who learns from everyone.” In the Austin Jewish community, adult learners have the opportunity to do just that. 

There are numerous quality adult education courses, spanning different topics and led by a variety of teachers at different congregations and organizations. In the fall of 2020, educators for these congregations and Shalom Austin came together to form a community adult education council to make each other aware of the amazing opportunities that exist, make a plan to get the word out about classes to a wider audience, organize classes by topic for easy access, and set common goals for Austin’s adult Jewish education.

The group is committed to ensure that adult Jewish education will:

  • Be open to all members of the community.
  • Be financially accessible.
  • Be accessible for adults with different learning needs.
  • Create welcoming, safe, and inclusive learning spaces.
  • Represent and celebrate a diverse Jewish community.
  • Encourage participants to try out and experience classes in different settings.
  • Introduce and connect people to a variety of Jewish practices.
  • Give Jews the tools and skills to live Jewish lives.
  • Strengthen Jewish identity and Jewish community.
  • Celebrate and showcase Austin’s collection of quality and diverse Jewish educators.
  • Each congregation offers classes from one or more of the following categories:
  • Jewish Lifecycle
  • Jewish Belief & Practice
  • Judaism in the Home
  • Miscellaneous/Special Topics
  • Prayer & Spirituality
  • Text & Torah Study
  • Israel
  • Hebrew
  • Arts & Culture
  • Jewish History
  • Informal/Social Gatherings

All classes exist in a community adult education brochure at shalomaustin.org/adultjewishlearning.  Topics include adult b’nai mitzvah classes, mussar, Talmud and more, along with Shalom Austin’s Adult Jewish Learning series of eight classes, spanning from Israel to Shabbat rituals. 

This project would not have been possible without the Community Adult Education committee, meeting regularly and with a passion for making Austin adult Jewish learning as strong as possible. The meetings have yielded collaboration, such as a community food and cooking series. 

For more information, visit shalomaustin.org/adultjewishlearning.

Latest Posts

AJA Hosts Parent Education Event 

AJA Hosts Parent Education Event 

 In early November, Austin Jewish Academy hosted a parent education event facilitated by Hagit Segal, co-owner of Mistake & Friends, to help parents foster positive child development.  Segal shared valuable insights on cultivating a growth mindset, emphasizing the...

Praying for a Peaceful New Year  

Praying for a Peaceful New Year  

Since I will be on sabbatical, I am writing this column in June shortly before my leave begins. Summer camp is well underway at Shalom Austin and both of our Texas overnight camps, Camp Young Judaea Texas and URJ Greene Family Camp, began their first session only a...