Please note that all courses will meet in person unless otherwise noted.
1) INTRODUCTION TO RECONSTRUCTIONISM AND UNIVERSITY SYNAGOGUE
For those who are interested in learning more about all that our community offers, please join us for this informal hour to learn about Reconstructionism and hear about University Synagogue's many programs and services. We encourage your family and friends to come and join us! A complimentary dinner will be provided at 6:00 p.m. to all prospective members who attend the Intro Night.) Please call the office at (949) 553-3535 to RSVP.
2) BASIC JUDAISM AND BEYOND
Who are "the Jews"? What do we collectively and individually believe or not believe? Basic Judaism & Beyond is a year-long journey designed to unlock and unpack Judaism through learning and discussions that explore Jewish philosophy, theology, ritual, history, religious practice and so much more. Whether you're new to these concepts or looking to deepen your understanding, this class offers an inclusive space for all, including those considering conversion, to engage with the Jewish life and thought within our University Synagogue community. We encourage sharing experiences. We will compare and contrast approaches to Judaism to see how we are the same and different. We view many aspects of Jewish rituals and practices, including the celebration of Jewish holidays and life cycle rituals (from a liberal and Reconstructionist lens) to better understand why we do what we do, how it has evolved, and what it means to us today. As time permits, we will explore "What Judaism Says" about current topics of the day. Classes on September 18, 25, and October 16 (our pre-High Holiday and Sukkot/Simchat Torah classes) are open to the whole congregation. This class will be held in person in the synagogue library. A syllabus will be given out at our first session.
Instructors: Director of Congregational Learning Jessica Bram
2024 Dates: 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18
2025 Dates: 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21
Cost: Free for members; $250 per semester for all others, plus a one-time $75 book fee for all students. Minimum number of students: 10
3) ANNUAL PRE-THANKSGIVING INTERFAITH SHABBAT SERVICE AND DIALOGUE
Led by Rabbi Rachlis and Reverend Sarah Halverson-Cano of Irvine United Congregational Church. The US and IUCC choirs and Cantor Braier will sing and Rabbi Rachlis and Reverend Sarah Halverson-Cano will dialogue on "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Judaism And Christianity, But Were Afraid To Ask."
Date: Monday, 11/25; Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m. at University Synagogue
4) DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS' SERIES
Throughout the year, well-known speakers will address fascinating topics
at University Synagogue
Rabbi Jeffrey Schein will speak on "Beyond Polarities: Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan and the Ongoing Search for the "Wholeness" of Judaism" on Friday, November 15, 2024, during 7:00 p.m. Synaplex Shabbat Alive services
Rabbi Jeffrey Schein is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and earned his doctorate in education from Temple University in 1980. He was the first non-pulpit Rabbi to be awarded the prestigious Ira Eisenstein award for community service. He has authored seven books and over fifty articles about Jewish life and learning. In his capacity as the Director of Jewish Education at Siegal College in Cleveland, he taught and mentored over 100 students who achieved their Masters in Jewish Education degree. During this same time, he was the National Director of Jewish Education for the Jewish Reconstructionist Education and a key figure in founding of Camp Havaya as a Jewish Reconstructionist camp.
More recently, Rabbi Schein has served as the senior consultant for Jewish education and Executive Director for The Mordecai Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife Dr. Deborah Schein. Sponsored by Dr. Steven and Rena Stone.
Professor Joellyn Zollman will speak on "Jewish Humor" on Friday, March 21, 2025, during 7:00 p.m. Synaplex Shabbat Alive services
Dr. Joellyn Zollman holds a Ph.D. in Jewish history from Brandeis University with her two areas of specialization in Jewish art and Jewish history. Professionally, Dr. Zollman has worked with the Jewish material culture collections at the Smithsonian Institution, the Skirball Museum, and The American Jewish Historical Society. She has taught classes on Jewish history, American religion, and religious art and architecture at San Diego State University, UCSD, and the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture. Most recently, Dr. Zollman curated the San Diego History Center's blockbuster exhibit Celebrate San Diego: The History and Heritage of San Diego's Jewish Community and served as an associate producer of the documentary film that grew out of the exhibit To The Ends of the Earth: A Portrait of San Diego's Jews. Sponsored by Dr. Steven and Rena Stone.
More speakers will be added throughout the year!
5) 35th ANNUAL ORANGE COUNTY INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, founded by University Synagogue.
2024 2025
January 8 & 9, 2025: This Is My Mother
November 20 & 21: Running on Sand January 22 & 23: Monkey House
December 4 & 5: Home February 5 & 6: Unspoken
February 19 & 20: Hila
March 5 & 6: Pink Lady
March 19 & 20: The Boy In The Woods
April 2 & 3: Auction
April 23 & 24: Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz
6) SHABBAT UNPLUGGED: THE FASCINATING WORLD OF JEWISH LITURGICAL MUSIC
Learn about the various styles of music that we use at our Friday night services. Jewish music has been influenced by the various cultures and locales in which Jews have lived for over thousands of years. We'll study the differences between Ashkenazic, Sephardic, and Mizrahi music, and we'll learn the diverse melodies that, in every age, including our own, have become part of the Jewish liturgical tradition.
Instructor: Cantor Braier
Dates: 2/3/25 and 2/10/25; 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
7) BEGINNING HEBREW READING COURSE
Join us for "Gentle Hebrew"! Is your Hebrew "rusty"? Would you like to be able to read the Hebrew words we sing in the service and know what the words mean? Join us for a 6-week Beginning Hebrew Reading Course taught on Zoom by Karen Zfaty. Karen has a Master's degree in Semitic Languages with an emphasis in Biblical Hebrew. She greatly appreciates the meaning of Hebrew and would love to share that with you!
Instructor: Karen Zfaty
Dates: Thursdays, Time: 7–8 p.m. via Zoom. Start day September 12
Cost: Free
8) UNIVERSITY SYNAGOGUE ADULT CHOIR
Learn classical and modern Jewish choral music, and share that music with the congregation at services during the year. We welcome singers who read music, as well as those who learn music by ear in all vocal parts (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass/Baritone).
Director: Shannon Fowler; Dates: Mondays; Time: 7:20-8:30 p.m.
To register, email Shannon at shan.fowler@icloud.com
9) CHA-CHA? WALTZ? LET’S DANCE!
Come dancing! ‘What a charming amusement for young people it is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing, after all. I consider it one of the first refinements of polished societies.’ Jane Austen (1813) Pride and Prejudice captures the essence of dance. Join me for an introduction to the lively rhythms of samba, rumba, cha-cha, salsa, and the elegant flows of waltz! Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or stepping onto the floor for the first time, this class offers a warm welcome and a fun atmosphere to explore diverse dance styles.
Instructor: Professor Martine Jago
Dates: TBD Thursdays Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: $18 per participant
10) UNIVERSITY @ UNIVERSITY: THE GROWN-UPS CLASSROOM
Dive back into the world of education with the vibrancy and curiosity of your younger years, but with the wisdom and maturity of adulthood. We are proud to introduce University@University, a new learning experience tailored for adults of all ages, post-B'nei Mitzvah and beyond. Start the evening by coming to savor a delightful meal and engage in stimulating conversation with fellow lifelong learners. After dinner, immerse yourself in one of our carefully curated classes. Each evening will explore a contemporary topic, breaking it down to view all the angles. Engage in profound discussions about developments in medical technologies by an expert from A.R.P.A-H, learn what you can do now to ease the burden on loved ones at the end of life, and use an analytical lens to explore the foundational primary sources that ground each side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Instructor: Jessica Bram and guest presenters
Dates: Tuesday, November 26, Time: 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free for members. $18 for nonmembers
To register, please make your selections below or email Danica Bishop: dbishop@universitysynagogue.org.
Log in to your account to see University Synagogue member rates.
