Anshei Mitzvah and YOU!

Rabbi David Spinrad and Cantor Jason Kaufman have created a multi-faceted adult learning opportunity for Beth El, and we are excited to share it with you. Beginning this fall, we will offer a brand-new Anshei Mitzvah program. Known by some as “Adult B’nei Mitzvah,” Anshei Mitzvah means “people of the mitzvah” and this new course will offer learners the opportunity to grow intellectually and spiritually in three distinct categories. Across three units, we will:

1. Explore the Torah’s composition and learn the art of Torah cantillation.

2. Deepen our understanding of the Siddur and strengthen our confidence and familiarity with prayer.

3. Add our voices to the tradition by learning the basics of Torah exegesis and how to write our own Divrei Torah (words of Torah).

We also are attempting to make these enriching experiences available to as many interested people as possible. Therefore, each Anshei Mitzvah unit stands alone. If you already became b’nei mitzvah as a youth or you are only interested in learning to chant Torah or want to deepen your connection to the Siddur or want to learn how to write and give a D’var Torah, we welcome your participation in any of these units. While Anshei Mitzvah students will take the entire course, we want to share these learning opportunities with all who desire to learn.

We will meet at Beth El on Wednesdays from 6:15-7:45 PM. Below is the course outline:

October 12: Welcome and Introduction to Anshei Mitzvah

October 19: Roots of Torah and Learning to Chant Torah, Session 1

November 2: Roots of Torah and Learning to Chant Torah, Session 2

November 16: Roots of Torah and Learning to Chant Torah, Session 3

November 30: Deepening our Relationship to the Siddur and Prayer, Session 1

December 14: Deepening our Relationship to the Siddur and Prayer, Session 2

January 11: Deepening our Relationship to the Siddur and Prayer, Session 3

January 25: Deepening our Relationship to the Siddur and Prayer, Session 4

February 8: Deepening our Relationship to the Siddur and Prayer, Session 5

March 1: Adding Our Voices to the Torah, Session 1

March 15: Adding Our Voices to the Torah, Session 2

March 29: Adding Our Voices to the Torah, Session 3

April 19: Anshei Mitzvah Rehearsal

April 25: Anshei Mitzvah Final Rehearsal and Dinner

April 29: Anshei Mitzvah Shabbat Morning Service

The Anshei Mitzvah program requires two textbooks:

1. B’chol L’vavcha: With All Your Heart: A Commentary on the Prayer Book, 3^rd Edition:

https://www.ccarpress.org/shopping_product_detail.asp?pid=50471

2. The Art of Torah Cantilation, Vol. 1: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Torah-Cantillation-Step-Step/dp/0807407348

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How do I register? Visit the website and complete the registration or call Beth El for assistance.

2. Who is the course for? All adult members of Beth El who want to enrich their Jewish lives.

2. What level of Hebrew does course require? All participants must be able to decode and read basic Hebrew (with the vowels!).

3. What if I have to miss a class/es? We understand. Life happens and we will work around it.

4. How much does the course cost? Other than your responsibility to purchase the textbooks, there is no cost