Adult Education

Through the active pursuit of educational opportunities by PJTC's clergy, staff, and Adult Education Committee, our community provides a plethora of classes, lectures, and discussions to help build knowledge and understanding of the world around us. We're always adding more opportunities, but here's what we can already share for the coming year:

Scientists In Synagogues | Melton Classes | Exploring Your Life Through Torah | Sunday Center Learning | Shema Circles | Meditation | Bagel Breakfasts

SCIENTISTS IN SYNAGOGUES SPEAKER SERIES

PITC is the proud recipient of a grant from Sinai and Synapses. This project bridges the religious and scientific worlds, offering people a worldview that is scientifically grounded and spiritually uplifting. Our project, The Intersection of Judaism and Science: Coexisting Searches, leverages the presence of our congregation's scientists and rabbis to explore the nexus of science and religion. We will be posing questions and encouraging discussions that will challenge assumptions about the incompatibility of juxtaposing science and Judaism. For more information about Sinai and Synapses (which is incubated at CLAL - The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership) or to get on their mailing list go to sinaiandsynapses.org.


Watch for information about future programs. All programs are free and open to the entire community.

MELTON CLASSES

To enhance our PJTC Adult Education program, we have become a campus for the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning. Their courses, developed in conjunction with Hebrew University of Jerusalem, use ancient and modern texts to explore our Jewish experience. As the classes approach, there will be more information about how to enroll directly with the Florence Melton School. There is a fee for these classes, but scholarships through PJTC are available. These classes are open to the entire community.

To register for PJTC courses, please click here. Where it says "All Communities," click the dropdown arrow and select "California: Pasadena / Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center" to find PJTC's course.  

EXPLORING YOUR LIFE THROUGH TORAH

A weekly Torah discussion facilitated by PITC member, Rabbi Jason Mann, Thursdays at 10AM on Zoom.

The Torah is an amazing source of ancient and eternal wisdom. Our group meets every Thursday morning to harvest this ancient wisdom and explore how we can incorporate it into our modern lives by looking at some teachings based on the weekly Torah portion. Our group has lively and inclusive discussions. All are invited to participate or just actively listen. No Hebrew is needed to participate. We are all so blessed by meeting together each week. It is a great opportunity to study together and create a caring community to sustain us each day. To receive the Zoom link and other updates, contact Rabbi Mann, jmann227@gmail.com.

SUNDAY CENTER LEARNING

Weekly on Sunday mornings when Religious School is in session, adults can learn, too! Check your PJTC emails for timing and further details. These classes are open to PJTC members and their guests.
 
Everyday Holiness
loin Rabbi Goldstein in an exploration of self improvement using Jewish and other ancient sources of wisdom, from 10:15AM-11:15AM

Shirah
Join Cantor Ruth in Galpert Sanctuary during Sunday Center mornings as we learn both modern and traditional melodies while delving deeper into the meaning behind what we are singing. We look forward to having you as part of our singing community. No experience necessary-just a love of music or singing!

SHEMA CIRCLES 

Open to PITC members only, now in its second year. Shema comes from the Hebrew root word "to listen." Shema Circles are closed groups of 8-10 congregants who meet monthly for 60-90 minutes from October-May to learn with and from each other in a safe, open, non-judgemental environment.
Discussion materials will come from a combination of traditional lewish texts and secular sources.

For our second year, the theme will be Cheshbon Hanefesh: Accounting of the Soul. The process is one of introspection, asking ourselves how we can be better parents, partners, children and people. While each Shema Circle will be facilitated by a congregant, source materials will also be provided by PITC clergy and staff. Some Shema Circles meet at PITC while other Circles are hosted at congregant homes.

This is a great way for newer members to get to know others in the community in a small group setting, and a great way for lifelong members to meet new people or deepen relationships.
We plan to reset the groups each September, but we can get you on the waitlist if you'd like to join in the middle of a cycle.

MEDITATION

Tuesdays at 8:45AM led by PITC members, usually on Zoom. The first 30 minutes are spent in silence and meditation, then 20 minutes for learning a text or instruction, and a short reflection period to end. Contact: info@pjtc.net to receive Zoom links.

BAGEL BREAKFASTS

These Sunday morning events are sponsored by various PJTC organizations. They include conversations led by world-class speakers and authors.