Sharon Saltzman,
ALLEC Chair
sharons@templedavid.org
Added September 2022
ALLEC sponsored speaker Bruce Ledewitz, Duquesne Law School Professor, on August 7, both in person and on Zoom. A light breakfast was provided prior to Mr. Ledewitz’s talk on “Separation of Church and State: To Be Or Not To Be?” Thank you to Carol and Bob Gordon, Elaine Wolfe, Mary Bendorf, and Rabbi Symons for assisting with this successful event. Thank you to Stan Beck for being the greeter and to Marc Yergin for hosting Zoom.
ALLEC is offering several cooking demonstrations, both in person and on Zoom, planned for Sunday, October 2 at 10 a.m., Sunday, December 11 at 10 a.m., and a yet to be determined date in early 2023. For those attending in person, tasty treats will be shared! Let us know if you would like to do a cooking demo!
On October 2, we welcome Stan Beck, who will make falafel and other vegan delights. When Stan makes falafel, he also likes to make tahina, hummus, and Israeli salad. This is best done as a three-day process, although it is not very time consuming. Stan will accomplish the entire process in approximately 45 minutes, with samples to share for those who make reservations. Please e-mail me (below) to make reservations.
The following items are also described elsewhere in this issue:
- For our Elul Study this year we will be discussing A Storied Approach to the High Holy Days online on four Thursdays at 7 p.m. beginning on 9/1.
- It is time to register for the next 9 in 9 series, that begins in September. On Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings, join Rabbi Symons as we explore “Judaism and Other Religions: Convergences and Divergences.”
- Join us for a special Selichot activity on Saturday evening, September 17 at 8 p.m., “A Taste of the Jewish World,” prior to the 9 p.m. service. Everyone looks forward to tasting High Holy Day foods from around the world. Recipes will also be shared for many of the delicious foods. Please e-mail me (below) if you plan to attend. If YOU would like to bake or cook a Jewish High Holy Day food from around the world, for attendees to sample, please contact me by September 6.
- A new Ethics Series entitled Social Justice Ethics will begin on Wednesday, September 28.
- Join us for Sofa Spirituality—An Interfaith Dialogue among Monroeville neighbors from Cross Roads Presbyterian Church and Temple David, on October 30, November 6, November 13, and November 21. It promises to be an enlightening learning series.
- “What happens after I die…in heaven and…on earth,” will be a two-session discussion on October 20 and November 3 at 7:30 p.m. Mark your calendar for this important discussion that will have an impact on everyone.
Please feel free to contact Sharon Saltzman if you have ideas for adult learning activities or if you are interested in joining ALLEC.
Added August 2022
Adult Education Opportunities
ALLEC had a very successful Biblical Garden Tour at Rodef Shalom on Sunday, July 10, followed by a delightful lunch at Aladdin’s Eatery. Thank you to Mary Bendorf for her assistance with planning this enjoyable event.
The following items are described elsewhere in this issue:
- On Sunday, August 7, at 10 a.m., in-person and on Zoom, ALLEC will be hosting Duquesne Law School Professor Bruce Ledewitz, speaking on Separation of Church and State: To Be or Not To Be? A light nosh will be available at 9:30. Please join us for an informative and timely discussion.
- The next book discussion will be on Wednesday, August 17 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The book will be The Last Watchman of Old Cairo. You are welcome to join the discussion whether or not you have read the book.
- For our Elul Study this year we will be discussing A Storied Approach to the High Holy Days online on four Thursdays at 7 p.m. beginning on 9/1.
- 9-in-9 will be offered on Sundays (beg. 9/18) and Wednesdays (beg. 9/21), with the topic being Comparative Religions. Registration is now open.
- A new Ethics Series entitled Social Justice Ethics will begin on Wednesday, September 28.
Mark your calendars and watch for more information on these items:
- Selichot “Food Fair” program on Saturday, September 17.
- Yom Kippur afternoon program on Wednesday, October 5.
- What Happens after I Die in Heaven and on Earth is a two-session discussion on October 20 and November 3 at 7:30. Join us for this important discussion that will have an impact on everyone.
- Sofa Spirituality with Cross Roads Presbyterian will return on Sundays October 30, November 6 and November 13.
Please feel free to contact Sharon Saltzman if you have ideas for adult learning activities or if you are interested in joining ALLEC.
Added June 2022
Adult Education News
Thank you to Bob and Carol Gordon for planning Temple David’s outing on April 24 to the Keeping Tabs Holocaust Memorial at Community Day School in Squirrel Hill. Bob Gordon provided background information on the memorial and Rabbi Symons talked about the importance of never forgetting the events of the Holocaust. Everyone was amazed to see the six million tabs encased in the glass block walls. Following our visit, we had a lovely dinner at Aladdin’s in Squirrel Hill. If you did not have the opportunity to join us, please visit the memorial the next time that you are in Squirrel Hill.
See photos by Samantha Saltzman:
ALLEC members are always interested in hearing your ideas for learning programs and would welcome you to join the committee.
Added May 2022
Upcoming Events
ALLEC members continue to gather new ideas and plan learning opportunities at Temple David. We are always interested in hearing your thoughts about adult learning programs.
Please mark your calendars and join us for the following activities:
Biblical Gardens Tour (with docent) at Rodef Shalom on Sunday, July 10 at 11 a.m. Lunch at a restaurant (TBD) will follow for those who are interested.
JFilm: Join us as we’ve become Community Partners with JFilm both in-person and online (April 28-May 8)! Along with 18 incredible films (3 in-person screenings) there will be Q&A, and discussions at the virtual Film Schmoozes. The centerpiece film is the World Premiere of REPAIRING THE WORLD: STORIES FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, at an in-person screening at the AMC Waterfront on Thursday, May 5.
Please watch for more information on upcoming cooking classes.
April is volunteer appreciation month! A great big THANK YOU to our VOLUNTEER members of ALLEC for giving of their time to plan exciting and informative programs for Temple David congregants! Thank you to Carol Gordon, Bob Gordon, Mary Bendorf, Heather Benes, Elaine Wolfe, and Al DeRoy.
Added April 2022
Upcoming Events
ALLEC is very interested in hearing your ideas regarding adult learning experiences. Please think about joining the committee or sharing your suggestions with one of the ALLEC members: Sharon Saltzman, Bob Gordon, Carol Gordon, Mary Bendorf, Elaine Wolfe, Al DeRoy, and Heather Benes.
Please mark your calendars and attend the upcoming programs:
Music of the Holocaust, a two-part program, on April 7 and April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Keeping Tabs Holocaust Memorial visit on Sunday, April 24 at 4 p.m. Dinner will follow for those who are interested. Contact Bob Gordon to RSVP.
Biblical Gardens Tour (with docent) at Rodef Shalom on Sunday, July 10 at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow for those who are interested. More information will soon follow.
ALLEC is also planning several cooking classes. Are you interested in acquiring new recipes or perfecting your cooking skills? Please share with us your ideas of what you would like to learn about cooking and/or baking. If you are interested in being a cooking “instructor,” please contact Sharon.
Added December 2021
Are you interested in learning, and sharing knowledge with Rabbi Symons and fellow congregants? Would you like to share your ideas and help plan learning programs and experiences? If so, please consider joining ALLEC as we continue to plan exciting and informative learning opportunities for Temple David.
Due to untimely chilly and damp weather, our visit to the Keeping Tabs Holocaust Memorial at Community Day School was postponed. We have rescheduled this event to Sunday, April 24 at 4 p.m., with dinner following for those who are interested. Our Shabbaton will also be rescheduled for a yet to be determined date in the spring. Watch TD Now! for updates.
Mark your 2022 calendar! We are planning a two-part program entitled Music of the Holocaust for March 31 and April 7.
ALLEC is always interested in hearing from you about other learning experiences that we can offer to our congregation!
Added September 2021
ALLEC has been busy planning some exciting events and programs for the upcoming months.
Following Yom Kippur morning services, join us for The Power of Saying I’m Sorry, a text study led by Bruce Antonoff. See the High Holy Day page for details.
On Saturday, October 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., we will be visiting Israel at a day-long Shabbaton at the JCC J&R Family Park in Monroeville. This fun-filled day of learning will include Israeli foods, music, and art activities. At 5 p.m., families from the Weiger Religious School will be invited to join us for dinner and an evening of Israeli activities and learning.
We’re planning a visit to the Keeping Tabs Holocaust Sculpture Memorial at Community Day School in Squirrel Hill on Sunday, October 24 at 4 p.m. Following the visit, participants will dine together at a yet to be determined restaurant. Please contact Sharon Saltzman if you have any questions.
See below for upcoming book discussions led by Rabbi Symons.
If you are interested in planning adult learning activities at Temple David, please consider joining ALLEC.
The Adult Learning and Life Experiences Commission (ALLEC) is planning a full schedule of learning opportunities for next year. We don’t know whether we will be able to meet in person or via Zoom, but meet we will. Here are the programs we are planning to offer. Please watch future issues of TD Now! for the specific dates and times:
- 9 in 9: a monthly class addressing the Prophets.
- Everything You Always Wanted to Know About…informative sessions about the High Holy Days, Sukkot & Simchat Torah, Tu BiSh’vat and Pesach.
- Book Discussions
- Ethics Discussions on the fourth Wednesday of each month
- Torah Talk on Shabbat mornings
We also encourage everyone to participate in our Tikkun Leil learning program after Shavuot services on Thursday evening, May 28. Rabbi Symons will present a session specifically for Temple David. There will also be opportunities to participate in on-line classes sponsored by the Pittsburgh Jewish Community (on Wednesday, May 27), and by the Reform Movement.
Links to the on-line classes will be provided via e-mail and at www.templedavid.org/athome
Bruce Antonoff,
V.P., Ritual Practices
Carol Congedo, ALLEC Chair
carolc@templedavid.org
Published February 2020
Only 6 more weeks of winter! (per the groundhog) ALLEC has been working diligently to plan and execute our Scholar in Residence weekend May 1-3. Our Scholar is Rabbi Stephen Karol. Please see below for more information.
While Rabbi Symons is on sabbatical, adult education is continuing. In March, we have Torah Talk every Saturday morning at 9 a.m., Lunch and Learn on March 9, a book discussion on March 23, and Medical Ethics on March 25. Details for all of these programs may be found below
On April 1, Rabbi Symons will return and teach Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Pesach…(but were afraid to ask). You must preregister by March 27.
Rabbi Symons will also lead Ask the Clergy on April 2, and a book discussion on May 7.
Published November 2019
New Class Beginning
How do the Ten Commandments influence our lives as Jews? What values can we infer from the commandments?
Did you know that in Hebrew they are called ASERET HADIBROT, the Ten Utterances?
Join Carol Congedo as she facilitates ASERET HADIBROT: The Big Ten on Sunday mornings January through March. This is a Chai Mitzvah program. Sign up form is below. There is a minimum of six participants.
WHAT IS ALLEC?
What does ALLEC mean? We are the Adult Learning and Life Experiences Commission and we meet once a month.
Do you have ideas about things that you want to hear, see, and/or do?
Are you thinking of getting more involved with your religion and your Temple?
Then join ALLEC. We think of, develop, and produce Jewish learning experiences, specifically:
- Programming led by people from Temple David, the Jewish community, and non-Jewish sources.
- Coordination with other committees.
- Providing both hands-on and study-based learning opportunities.
- Some of our past and ongoing activities:
LECTURES—JEWISH TEXTS, ISRAEL, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, THE HOLOCAUST
CLASSES AND COURSES—LEARN HEBREW, JOIN THE NEXT B’NAI MITZVAH CLASS
SHABBATON—JOIN FELLOW CONGREGANTS FOR A WEEKEND JEWISH RETREAT
TRAVEL—ARGENTINA, CUBA, MEXICO, NEW YORK CITY, ISRAEL