Adult Education Offerings at Har Shalom
Har Shalom offers a variety of adult education classes for members and non-members. Each fall and spring, Rabbi Finestone and a large group of enthusiastic teachers offer classes covering a wide range of topics and subjects. Find more information here, in the community calendar, or in your weekly Happenings e-newsletter.
Wise Women Support and Discussion Group
Jan 11, 25 | Feb 8, 22 | Mar 7, 21 | Apr 4, 18 | May 9, 23 | Jun 6, 20
9:30-11:00am
Attend all sessions or come when you can
Fee: No Charge
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Ginny Riley
Open to Jewish and Non-Jewish Women with 50 or More Years of Life Experience
Join us for stimulating, structured, and confidential discussions on topics about self-care, personal reflection, relationships, mentoring others, and sharing the wisdom we have gained through our life experiences. Take this opportunity to meet and get to know other women who share the challenges and changes associated with getting older.
The group has been facilitated by Har Shalom member, Ginny Riley, since January 2020. New participants are welcome at any time. For questions or to be on the email list to receive additional information, reminders of session dates, Zoom login information, and advance notice of the topic before each session, please email Ginny.
The Wise Woman program was developed by Dr. Beth Firestein, a licensed psychologist, who has been successfully offering this program for more than 9 years in Loveland. She has granted us permission to use the materials and topics she has developed.
Judaism and the Music of Leonard Cohen
March 4, 11, 18
7:00-8:30pm
Fee: Members - No Charge; Non-Members - $36
Location: Zoom
Facilitator: Rabbi Hillel Katzir
Join Rabbi Hillel Katzir as we explore the Jewish elements in the music of Leonard Cohen, best known for his "Halleluyah" song. This class is virtual only. The Zoom login information will be emailed to participants upon registering.
Grief and Judaism
March 18, 25; April 1, 8 10:00-11:30am
Fee: Members - No Charge; Non-Members - $36
Location: Har Shalom
Facilitator: Shoshanna Shachtman
This group will be formatted from both a therapeutic approach with open conversations and healing practices, as well as Jewish educational perspectives. The conversations will focus on both death and dying, and grief and loss. This class is limited to no more than 10 participants.
The Book of Psalms
April 3, 10, 17
7:30-9:00pm
Fee: Members - No Charge; Non-Members - $36
Location: Har Shalom & Zoom
Facilitator: Rabbi Sally Finestone
We read passages from the Book of Psalms all the time - during services, when someone is sick, etc. But where do the Psalms come from? Who really wrote them all? And what meaning do these ancient poems have for us today? Join Rabbi Finestone as we study the composition, history, and meaning of one of the largest collections in the Hebrew Bible. This class is offered in person and via Zoom. The zoom login information will be emailed to participants upon registering.
History of the Jews of Colorado and Fort Collins
April 7, 14 2:00-3:30pm
Fee: Members - No Charge; Non-Members - $18
Location: Har Shalom
Facilitator: Rita Kissen
Rita Kissen has spent many months researching the history of Jews in Colorado, and in Fort Collins in particular. The first class will tell the stories of our early founders and Har Shalom's role in the wider Fort Collins and Larimer County communities. The second class will focus on the story of Jews in Colorado. Please read full descriptions of each class by clicking on the registration link below. This class will be held in person only.
The Ethnic Communities of Israel
May 9, 23
7:00-9:00pm
Fee: Members - No Charge; Non-Members - $18
Location: Har Shalom and Zoom
Facilitator: Library Director, Judy Petersen
Israel is one of the most diverse communities in the world. Besides the diversity of the Jewish population, approximately 25% are either Arab Muslims or Christians, as well as other groups. Join Judy Petersen for a two-part class exploring some of the smaller ethnic and religious communities of Israel. Attendees may attend one or both sessions. This class is being offered in person and via Zoom. Zoom information will be emailed to participants upon registration.
Pathways to Judaism
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Har Shalom
Facilitator: Rabbi Sally Finestone
This program is an intensive 20-session course designed for people considering conversion to Judaism, or for adult Jews who would like a refresher course on the core beliefs, practices, and history of our people. The course is designed to open the world of Jewish tradition and understanding to those who have little or no background.
This class is full for 2023. New class will begin in the fall of 2024. For information, email Rabbi Finestone at rabbisrf@nocoharshalom.org.