Knesset Israel Adult Education Source Sheets by Knesset Israel

Sat. March 29 - Pekudei & HaHodesh

KnessetIsrael — 2024-04-04 13:31:04 UTC

This morning we'll review what 'kosher for Passover' food is and how to find it, especially when pickings are slim at our local stores. This session should help make things easier!

Sat., Oct. 5 - Shuva

KnessetIsrael — 2024-10-01 14:46:15 UTC

Rambam begins his Mishneh Torah with an essay on repentance that celebrates freedom of choice as fundamental to Judaism.

Thurs & Fri, Oct 17-18 - First Days of Sukkot

KnessetIsrael — 2024-10-01 14:46:45 UTC

Sat, Oct 19 - Shabbat Hol HaMoed

KnessetIsrael — 2024-10-15 13:12:18 UTC

Plus a midrashic riff on verse 9

Sat, Oct 26 - Bereshit

KnessetIsrael — 2024-10-22 18:51:17 UTC

Human Culture & Responsibility - based on a d'var torah by Rabbi Shai Held

Sat, Nov 2 - Noah

KnessetIsrael — 2024-10-29 16:33:04 UTC

The Problem With the Tower

Sat, Nov 9 - Lech L'cha

KnessetIsrael — 2024-10-30 22:05:35 UTC

Sat, Nov 16 - Vayera

KnessetIsrael — 2024-11-13 18:28:35 UTC

Sat, Nov 23 - Hayye Sarah

KnessetIsrael — 2024-11-20 17:04:34 UTC

Sat, Nov 30 - Toldot

KnessetIsrael — 2024-11-26 13:37:56 UTC

A midrash inspired by Rebecca's tumultuous pregnancy with Esau & Jacob

Sat, Dec 21 - Vayeshev

KnessetIsrael — 2024-12-05 18:39:05 UTC

Jacob sends Joseph to his brothers, but Joseph gets lost on the way, leading to a particularly evocative scene.

Sat, Dec 28 - Miketz & Shabbat Hannuka

KnessetIsrael — 2024-12-24 14:55:36 UTC

One Holiday Two Stories

Sat, Jan 4 - Vayigash

KnessetIsrael — 2025-01-02 14:30:07 UTC

Odd and fraught exchanges among Joseph, his brothers and Pharaoh hint at the complicated dynamics of life as a minority in someone else's homeland - and what it really means to feel at home.

Sat, Jan 11 - Vayechi

KnessetIsrael — 2025-01-06 19:29:12 UTC

Sat, Jan 18 - Shemot

KnessetIsrael — 2025-01-08 19:27:21 UTC

Sat, Jan 25 - Vaera

KnessetIsrael — 2025-01-20 15:47:57 UTC

Often Torah commentaries use close readings of the text to hint at big, important questions about life. Here is a good example.

Sat, Feb 1 - Bo

KnessetIsrael — 2025-01-28 13:33:21 UTC

Sat., Feb 8 - Beshallach

KnessetIsrael — 2025-02-04 16:27:09 UTC

Sat., Feb 15 - Yitro

KnessetIsrael — 2025-02-11 17:36:30 UTC

Sat., Feb 22 - Mishpatim

KnessetIsrael — 2025-02-19 17:29:46 UTC

Sat., March 1 - Terumah & Shekalim

KnessetIsrael — 2025-02-25 14:02:34 UTC

Sat., March 15 - Ki Tisa

KnessetIsrael — 2025-03-04 16:03:14 UTC

A fundamental ideological disagreement inside Scripture yields an inspiring insight about change

Sat., March 22 - Vayakhel & Parah

KnessetIsrael — 2025-03-18 13:32:35 UTC

Sat. April 5 - Vayikra

KnessetIsrael — 2025-03-31 13:30:49 UTC

April 12-14 - First Days of Pesah

KnessetIsrael — 2025-04-01 14:23:09 UTC

Insights into the Haggadah - In Every Generation & D'tzach Adash B'achav... really!

April 12-14 - Joseph at Seder?!

KnessetIsrael — 2025-04-09 19:20:37 UTC

Someone we don't usually talk about at seder... but is his story hiding behind the whole evening? And if so, al shum mah... What does it teach us?

April 19 - Seventh Day of Pesah

KnessetIsrael — 2025-04-09 19:24:26 UTC

Medieval & Modern approaches to the message of 'crossing the Sea'

April 20 - Eighth Day of Pesah

KnessetIsrael — 2025-04-15 15:49:52 UTC

April 26 - Shemini

KnessetIsrael — 2025-04-23 15:19:08 UTC

Mary Douglas & Emil Durkheim have their opinions... but what have we told ourselves through the ages about why we keep kosher?

May 3 Tazria-Metzora

KnessetIsrael — 2025-05-01 12:49:07 UTC

Throughout these two parshiyot, the kohen visits people in the community who are visibly sick and/or vulnerable. This morning we'll study the mitzvah of bikur cholim - visiting the sick.

May 10 - Aharei Mot Kedoshim

KnessetIsrael — 2025-05-07 12:59:59 UTC

May 17 - Emor

KnessetIsrael — 2025-05-14 18:42:41 UTC

The parasha talks about priests with physical injuries and 'blemishes' being disqualified from service in the Temple. So Jewish authorities today have the responsibility to express a clear position of equality, inclusion and acceptance. This teshuva, published last week, is a good example.

May 24 - Behar Behukkotai

KnessetIsrael — 2025-05-21 12:53:14 UTC

Behar offers an extraordinary vision of a society free from poverty. Although it's not attainable in this world, the vision should still inspire and guide our choices.

July 19 - Pinhas

KnessetIsrael — 2025-07-15 12:04:59 UTC

The story of the daughters of Zelopehad inspires modern midrash writer Rivka Lubitz to riff on accomplishments and critiques of contemporary feminism

July 26 Matot Masay

KnessetIsrael — 2025-07-24 18:50:44 UTC

Aug 2 - Devarim Hazon

KnessetIsrael — 2025-07-30 18:49:06 UTC

A classic!

Aug 9 - Vaethanan

KnessetIsrael — 2025-08-05 12:47:29 UTC

Deuteronomy is full of mitzvot,but how does it relate obedience to righteousness?

Aug 16 - Ekev

KnessetIsrael — 2025-08-12 12:29:55 UTC

Love, fear, observe the mitzvot, listen - that all seems relatively clear. But what does 'keep God's charge' ושמרת משמרתו mean?

Aug 23 - Reeh

KnessetIsrael — 2025-08-20 15:34:19 UTC

Tzedaka is about giving but also about mindset.

Aug 30 - Shoftim

KnessetIsrael — 2025-08-27 16:09:39 UTC

Does the Torah recommend having a king? Require it? Advise against it?

Sep 6 - Ki Tetze

KnessetIsrael — 2025-09-02 15:39:31 UTC

Just Measures, or Just Desserts

Sep 13 - Ki Tavo

KnessetIsrael — 2025-09-09 12:45:11 UTC

Sep 20 - Nitzavim

KnessetIsrael — 2025-09-16 14:43:35 UTC

Sep 27 - Vayelech/Shuva

KnessetIsrael — 2025-09-25 12:32:43 UTC

Oct 5 - Haazinu

KnessetIsrael — 2025-09-30 16:00:18 UTC

Oct 8 - 2nd day of Sukkot

KnessetIsrael — 2025-09-30 17:22:12 UTC

(No source sheet for Oct 17)

Oct 11 - Hol Hamoed Sukkot

KnessetIsrael — 2025-09-30 17:22:36 UTC

Heavenly Torah

KnessetIsrael — 2025-10-09 13:01:49 UTC

An adult education class facilitated by Rabbi Weiner, based on Heschel's "Heavenly Torah"

Meets most Thursday mornings, 10:45-noon

May 7, 14, 21, 28

Last Class June 4

KI Library AND

bit.ly/thursdaymorningadulted

Susannah Heschel's Obituary for her Father

KnessetIsrael — 2025-10-09 14:34:44 UTC

For a sense of Heschel's life and achievements

Oct 18 - Beresheet

KnessetIsrael — 2025-10-13 15:34:53 UTC

Oct. 25 - Noah

KnessetIsrael — 2025-10-21 19:24:23 UTC

Nov. 15 - Hayye Sarah

KnessetIsrael — 2025-11-11 17:37:17 UTC

Nov. 22 - Toldot

KnessetIsrael — 2025-11-18 18:28:07 UTC

Nov. 29 - Vayetze

KnessetIsrael — 2025-11-19 17:39:22 UTC

Dec. 6 - Vayishlach

KnessetIsrael — 2025-12-03 17:55:56 UTC

Dec. 13 - Vayeshev

KnessetIsrael — 2025-12-07 16:08:25 UTC

Source Sheet for 12/18

KnessetIsrael — 2025-12-09 13:33:38 UTC

Please bring this to class if you're attending online. Reminder - from this chapter, we're only focusing on material included on pp.93-97.

Jan. 3 - Vayechi

KnessetIsrael — 2025-12-09 14:32:36 UTC

Parashat Vayechi discusses the death and burial of Jacob and Joseph. This morning we will honor members of the congregation who tend to the deceased and comfort the bereaved. We will also discuss this new resource from our movement that describes how to visit mourners during shiva.

Jan. 10 - Shemot

KnessetIsrael — 2026-01-02 15:06:49 UTC

Source Sheet for 1/8 & 22

KnessetIsrael — 2026-01-02 15:09:00 UTC

Please bring this to class if you're attending online. Class discussion will follow the order of the texts in the source sheet, not the flow of Heschel's chapter.

Jan. 17 - Vaera

KnessetIsrael — 2026-01-08 14:57:51 UTC

One medieval, one renaissance era, and one early modern scholar - all philosophers and all proponents of free choice - try to make sense of God hardening Pharaoh's heart, then sending plagues to punish him.

Source Sheet for 1/29, 2/5, 2/12

KnessetIsrael — 2026-01-21 20:51:39 UTC

Please bring this to class if you're attending online.

Jan. 31 - Beshallach

KnessetIsrael — 2026-01-29 18:54:34 UTC

Feb. 7 - Yitro

KnessetIsrael — 2026-02-03 16:33:31 UTC

Source Sheet for 2/19-26

KnessetIsrael — 2026-02-10 17:12:08 UTC

Please bring this to class if you're attending online 2/19 and 2/26

Source Sheet for 2/26

KnessetIsrael — 2026-02-19 19:58:48 UTC

Please bring this to class on 2/26. We'll read and discuss once we finish the source packet on chapter 9.

Feb. 28 - Zachor

KnessetIsrael — 2026-02-24 18:06:00 UTC

Source Sheet for 3/5

KnessetIsrael — 2026-03-03 16:05:26 UTC

Online students please have this source sheet available for class. One week studying chapter 10.

Source Sheet for 3/12 & 3/19

KnessetIsrael — 2026-03-09 16:24:05 UTC

Online students please have this available for class.

Mar. 14 - HaHodesh

KnessetIsrael — 2026-03-11 18:27:15 UTC

Source Sheet for 3/19, 4/16

KnessetIsrael — 2026-03-15 18:11:52 UTC

Class cancelled for a funeral 3/26

No class during first or last days of Pesah

Mar. 28 - HaGadol

KnessetIsrael — 2026-03-25 15:21:05 UTC

April 2-3 - First 2 Days of Pesah

KnessetIsrael — 2026-03-25 15:21:53 UTC

April 4 - Shabbat Hol HaMoed

KnessetIsrael — 2026-03-25 15:48:16 UTC

My God, only you know...

April 9 - 8th Day of Pesah

KnessetIsrael — 2026-04-06 15:13:03 UTC

April 8 - 7th Day of Pesah

KnessetIsrael — 2026-04-06 15:58:41 UTC

April 25 - Aharei Mot/Kedoshim

KnessetIsrael — 2026-04-07 13:39:55 UTC

Source Sheet for 4/23

KnessetIsrael — 2026-04-16 19:17:13 UTC

Online students please have this available for class

Source Sheet for 4/30 & 5/7

KnessetIsrael — 2026-04-27 14:55:37 UTC

Online students please have this available for class.

May 9 - Behar Behukkotai

KnessetIsrael — 2026-04-29 19:42:46 UTC

Source Sheet for 5/14

KnessetIsrael — 2026-05-11 14:15:35 UTC

Online students please have this available for class - a first taste of chapters 30-32

May 16 - Bamidbar

KnessetIsrael — 2026-05-12 20:22:46 UTC

Source Sheet for 5/21

KnessetIsrael — 2026-05-15 12:21:04 UTC

Online students please have this available for class - chapter 30-32 continued

May 22 - Shavuot Day 1

KnessetIsrael — 2026-05-20 17:57:42 UTC

No source sheet for Sat, May 23.

Source Sheet for 5/28

KnessetIsrael — 2026-05-25 15:18:52 UTC

Chapter 34 - online students please have this available for class.

Source Sheet for 6/4

KnessetIsrael — 2026-06-02 19:49:30 UTC

Chapter 36 - online students please have this available for class

June 6 - Behaalotecha

KnessetIsrael — 2026-06-03 12:34:23 UTC

June 20 - Korach

KnessetIsrael — 2026-06-16 13:07:27 UTC