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"Be of the
disciples of Aaron
a lover of peace,
a pursuer of peace,
one who loves the creatures and
draws them
close to Torah."
(Avot 1:12)
Welcome!
Enter the world of Jewish Learning with new classes from the Temple of Aaron. We offer four types of learning, to meet all kinds of schedules and all areas of interest. To register for Adult Learning classes, mail your check to Temple of Aaron, 616 South Mississippi River Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55116. Please indicate the course for which you're registering. Feel free to contact us with questions. All of this is made possible by our many Adult Education Endowments.
You can sign up for email updates to our Adult Education offerings.
On Demand
Any topic, any time. You get the minyan, and we will provide the teacher.
On Going
We have many classes that are continuing throughout the year. Feel free to drop in at any time.
On Line
Learn online with divrei Torah and blogs.
See what the Temple of Aaron has done in the past for Adult Education.
Adult Hebrew Class
in conjunction with the Fundamentals is offered to members and non-members annually.
Watch for next series in 2013!
Classes are Wednesdays at 6:30-7:30 pm (8 sessions).
Purpose of the Classes:
- To learn the fundamentals of reading Hebrew
- To learn common Hebrew expressions
- To begin to learn the meaning of words in the Prayer Book
Instructor: Larry Eisenstadt, Ritual Coordinator
Fee for class (books): $25.00.
Fundamentals of Judaism
Watch for next series in 2013!
Classes are Wednesdays at 7:30-9:30 pm (16 sessions)
This class, for Jews and non-Jews alike, is designed to give knowledge of the Jewish experience, an understanding of the basic tenets of the Jewish faith and the tools with which to practice the Jewish way of life.
Temple of Aaron's Introduction to Judaism is designed to give:
- Knowledge of the Jewish experience,
- understanding of the basic tenets of the Jewish faith,
- the tools with which to practice the Jewish way of life.
This full and comprehensive course of study is designed primarily for non-Jews, and is open to all who want an introduction to Jewish thought and practice. Our purpose is to impart knowledge and understanding of the Jewish historical experience and the Jewish people today. We seek to help you develop an appreciation of the fundamental tenets of the Jewish faith, basic values and practices.
Exposure to the Jewish community and way of life is an integral part of the program. In separate classes the Hebrew language is introduced, leading to your ability to use the prayer book in the synagogue and to handle comfortably the corpus of Hebrew blessings, songs and prayers in the home. In this course, the "why's" of Jewish law, custom and ceremony, the "how to" of these, and inner attitudes toward them are stressed.
Some of those who take this course do so, not for the purpose of conversion to Judaism, but for the sake of knowledge and personal enrichment alone. Some are Jews who want to know more about themselves, their heritage and roots. All are people in search of answers to basic questions, who seek ways to meaningful lives. We hope this program proves informative and helpful to all involved.
Please contact Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein for further help and guidance.
Course of Instruction Highlights
The Jewish Way of Life
- Ritual: its purpose and relationship to ethics
- Jewish law: what do we mean by "Judaism teaches"
- Shabbat and how it's experienced: candles, kiddush, homotzi, havdalah
- The synagogue and prayer: Torah and skull cap, talit and tefillin
- What is a Jewish home: The dietary laws and their meaning for modern times
- The life cycle: from birth to Bar/Bat Mitzvah, to marriage, to death
- The holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavout, Sukkot, Purim, Hanukah
Jewish History and Thought
- Survey of Jewish history from biblical times through rabbinic period and middle ages to enlightenment, to rise of American Jewish community and emergence of State of Israel
- The Jewish idea of God and how it differs from other conceptions
- The Jewish views of revelation, messiah, after-life, reward and punishment
- What is Zion, Zionism, the idea of "holy land"?
- What is Torah? How did Talmud, midrash, response, codes, develop?
- Great Jewish personalities and contributions
- The ghetto, crusades, expulsions, anti-Semitism
- What is a "good" Jew?
All classes meet at Temple of Aaron
616 South Mississippi River Boulevard
St Paul, MN 55116
651-698-8874
Faculty
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein
Tuition
Tuition fee: none
Notebook fee $25.00
Book & notebook combined fee: $100.00.
Purchase books from the synagogue and Jewish book stores, or borrow from libraries.
Bibliography (pdf) | Check out the Temple of Aaron Amazon affiliate Bookstore. A percentage of your purchase here benefits Temple of Aaron.
Artson, Rabbi Bradley Shavit. It's a Mitzvah! (Behrman House/Rabbinical Assembly).
Dosick, Rabbi Wayne, Living Judaism (HarperCollins).
Wolfson, Dr. Ron The Art of Jewish Living: The Shabbat Seder (Jewish Lights).
Telushkin, Rabbi Joseph, Jewish Literacy (HarperCollins).
Session 1 Session 5 Session 9 Session 13a 13 b
Session 2 Session 6 Session 10 Session 14
To Prospective Converts to Judaism:
- Requirements for Conversion
- Supplementing the course of study, the following are requirements for conversion established by Temple of Aaron Rabbis:
- Personal meetings with us who serve as your counselors and guides.
- Attendance at synagogue services on a regular basis and involvement in synagogue community
- Participation and regular attendance of class
- Acceptance of invitations to Jewish homes for Shabbat and Festival meals
- Where the course is taken for conversion in preparation for Jewish marriage, the partner is expected to enroll and attend.
- Individual examination by a Bet Din (Rabbinical Court) for knowledge of and commitment to Judaism and Jewish way of life.
- Brit Milah or Hatafat Dam 'Brit for male proselyte. Immersion in the Mikevah at the St Paul Mikveh for male/female proselytes.
- A formal conversion ceremony celebrating your entry into the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Admission Policy
All potential converts, Jews-By-Choice must contact Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein in advance. The course is open to adult men and women of any race, color, national origin or religion.
Classes below are FREE and open to members and non-members.
Coffee with Rashi & Friends 
Wake up with friends, and join us for a cup of coffee and Torah study. We meet at 8:00 a.m. every Saturday before morning services. We study this week’s Torah portion guided by the commentary of the great Medieval French commentator, Rashi. No preparation or Hebrew experience is required.
Drop in any week. (Tea and Hot Chocolate are also available.)
You can also order the new T-Shirts --->
Date/Time: Every Saturday, 8 a.m.
Location: Smith Library
Instructor: Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein
Talmud Class
A word by word study and discussion of the Talmudic tractate of Megillah using the traditional ways of studying Talmud. Discussion of how today’s ritual practices came from the Book of Esther.
Date/ Time: Every Thursday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Capp Lounge
Instructor: Ritual Coordinator, Larry Eisenstadt
Bible Class
Exploration of the Book of Psalms discussing the literal and figurative meaning of the Hebrew and its applicability to today. Hebrew language proficiency is not required.
Date/ Time: Every Thursday, 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Location: Capp Lounge
Instructor: Ritual Coordinator, Larry Eisenstadt
The Continuing Education courses
are partially funded by the following endowments:
Annette & Theodore Goodman
Drs. Malka & Ernie Goodman, Scholar in Residence
Elsie & John Halper/Lieberman Family
Harvey & Shirley Lubov, Scholar in Residence
Mervin E. Hites, Introduction to Hebrew
Yale Libman Haftarah Education Fund
Alexander & Sophia Rosenaur, Learners’ Minyan
Rose & Herman Schleiff
Dr. Everett & Norene Karon Young Adult Fund
Please sign up for email updates.