Adult Education

Temple Am Echad's Adult Ed Learning Center, co-chaired by Lee Jacob, Paul Kantrowitz and Alane Rubel, is committed to bringing together our community to enrich our knowledge and deepen our sense of Jewish identity and Jewish life in the 21st century. The goal is to inspire as we learn and explore our Jewish faith, history and culture. We hope to encourage and gain new insights as we delve into topics that interest and challenge us all.

Some events we offer are seminars created and presented by our rabbi, such as liturgical and biblical history. A favorite with our congregants is our monthly Sunday morning 'Salon', where current events and an abundance of topics are discussed. Our Wednesday night guest speaker program has included some well-respected religious leaders, such as:  Rabbi David Sandmel, chair of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations, the consortium of Jewish organization that is the official Jewish dialogue partner of the Vatican, the World Council of Churches, and the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox churches. He has been with the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) since 2014 and serves as Senior Advisor on Interreligious Affairs. As well as Rabbi Josh Weinberg, Vice President of the URJ for Israel and Reform Zionism and the Executive Director of ARZA.

Local politicians, too, have addressed our congregation. They have included former Hempstead Town Supervisor, Laura Gillen; former member of the NY State Senate representing the 9th district, Todd Kaminsky and former US Representative for New York's 4th congressional district, Kathleen Rice.

We have had notable historians and experts in the field of film and music, presenting programs such as: Irving Berlin: Ragtime to Riches Story; Stephen Sondheim and His Music; Jewish Influences in Cinema and Leonard Cohen: His Music and Poetry.

Another popular favorite is our annual Jewish Film Series, featuring recent movies and documentaries highlighting Jewish themes, issues and conflicts. Each film begins with an introduction and ends with an in-depth discussion led by Paul Kantrowitz. Light refreshments are also served.

The Adult Ed Learning Center has also arranged various Jewish-related excursions that broaden our understanding of events in our history and how they affect our lives today. They have included a trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage to view the exhibit, Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. and a day at the Holocaust and Memorial Tolerance Center of Glen Cove. In addition, we have an annual outing to Temple Emanu-el's Streicker Center.

Our goal is to continue to offer creative and innovative programs to spark the interest, curiosity and participation of our Temple membership and the community.