Adult Bet Midrash

Shabbat Mornings with the Rabbis

Classes meet at Bnai Keshet. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to join by Zoom, please notify the office at least 24 hours in advance of the class: bnaikeshet@bnaikeshet.org or 973-746-4889

Jewish Family Ethics with Rabbi Ariann
Shabbat mornings at 9:00am at Bnai Keshet on:
Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6, Jan 3, Feb 7, Mar 14, Apr 25, May 9
What does it mean to be "a family" in Jewish tradition? What obligations and benefits extend to members of our families? What do we owe to family members who are difficult, neglectful, or abusive? Is family inherited or chosen, bequeathed or built? How is family a part of community, how is it separate? We'll explore traditional and contemporary Jewish conceptions of family, obligation, and choice over the course of this year. 

Fall 2025
Disability Justice, Sacred Rest, & Shabbat with Rani Silverman-Gitin
Shabbat mornings at 9:00am at Bnai Keshet on:
Sept 27, Oct 11, Nov 15, Dec 20

Who is included in the “disability community”? What does “disability justice” mean? What can we learn from Jewish and disabled wisdom about our relationships to time and productivity? How can rest be “radical”?

These classes begin with an introduction to disability access and inclusion, as well as an overview of the Disability Rights Movement in the United States. We will then dive into the coining of the term “Disability Justice” and how this framework attempts to center marginalized people and resist systems of oppression. We will discuss how these concepts relate to Jewish tradition and values. The second half of the classes will focus on perspectives on sacred rest from Jewish tradition and the disability community. We will discuss how to apply these teachings to our daily lives, Shabbat practices, and liberation work. 

These classes are open to people of all identities, abilities, lived experiences and knowledge levels of disability!

Spring 2026
Demystifying the Mikveh with Rani Silverman-Gitin
Shabbat mornings at 9:00am at Bnai Keshet on:
Jan 10, Feb 21, Mar 7, Apr 18, May 2

These classes will “dive” into the mikveh– the traditional Jewish ritual bath. We will start with its origins and history in Jewish text, tradition, and practice. We will learn about its rules, and what contemporary immersions often look like. People’s relationship to this practice can be complicated, especially for women and LGBTQ+ people; this course will discuss different perspectives on the mikveh, from critiques on the practice, to contemporary perspectives for how to reclaim it, to innovative mikveh rituals. 

We will conclude the class series by touring a local mikveh!

Whether you have never heard of mikveh, have questions about its origins or what it looks like today, want a space to process your thoughts on mikveh, or are curious as to how others view the practice–these classes are for you!

Intergenerational Trope Class with Rabbi Ariann
Dates TBA

Are you brand new to Torah reading and want to prepare for an upcoming b'nai mitzvah or to join our roster of regular Torah readers? Are you one of our regular readers or wish you could be, and want to brush up on your skills? Rabbi Ariann will leads a trope class, open to adults and teens, and joined by some of our upcoming bnai mitzvah students.

Ongoing Learning Opportunities

Women's Rosh Hodesh Group

In biblical times, the New Moon was marked by a festival, sacrifices, and blowing of the shofar. Based on a Talmudic midrash, the holiday became particularly special for women. Rosh Hodesh was often celebrated by women as a day off from work. In the 16th century, women of Eastern Europe also wrote special personal prayers for the occasion. In the 1970s, Jewish feminists claimed Rosh Hodesh for spiritual growth through worship and study. 

Rosh Hodesh meets monthly at Bnai Keshet.

Talmud Class
In person at BK and Zoom every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00am
Zoom only every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00pm

Dip your feet into the Talmud, the 2000-year-old discussion of Jewish Law that is studied daily in Yeshivos around the world. This year, our group is learning  Berakhot, laws of prayer.

No prior Talmudic experience needed. We can help you jump right into the 2000-year-old conversation. Come to many or as few sessions as you want. All are welcome no matter how often or how frequently they come.

Contact Marty Fellner, Zach Lipner or Jordan Sklar with questions.

Exploring & Studying Antisemitism

BK’s communal need to study antisemitism continues.  Drop in on one of our periodic Saturday Dismantling Antisemitism drop-in sessions.  All meetings are held in-person at BK (Zoom available for those who cannot attend in person.)

Questions? Email our facilitators.

Information about and readings from past courses on this topic can be found here.

Dismantling Antisemitism Drop-in Shabbat Sessions with Rabbi Elliott
Meets periodically, no registration necessary

Cultivating Anti-Racism

The BK Anti-Racism group holds classes and programs throughout the year.  Contact  Noémi Giszpenc for more information.