Adult education classes ready to begin

Charles Flum, President

Naples Jewish Congregation, “the small congregation with a big heart” (Reform) is pleased to announce its upcoming adult ed series with Rabbi Herman. The first class will be Oct. 21 at 5 p.m., followed by a light dinner for a $5 charge. Rabbi Herman’s topic is Jewish music through the ages as a spiritual tool.

The debate about Jewish Music has seemingly been an integral part of Jewish life for millennia. Since before the Temple was built, music played a role in the spirituality of Jewish life. This course will delve into the whys and wherefores about Jewish music, what Jewish music is supposed to do and not do, why some people love it and some people hate it, the genre of Jewish music that is not attached to prayer, what is traditional Jewish music and what is not and, if we have time, we will explore where Jewish music is going in the 21st century and beyond. We will also spend some time in this course looking at the role of “hazan” or “cantor” through history and today.

The other courses include:

• Nov. 11 – You be the Judge, What Should a Jew Do?

• Dec. 16 – Lessons learned through Hasidic Tales

• Jan. 27 – Inspired Messengers, a Spotlight on Biblical Prophets

• Feb. 24 – Dear Rabbi . . . I Have a Question

• March 24 – Jewish Miracles All are invited to attend free of charge. On Feb. 2, 2023, Julie Singer will perform a concert as part of our Artist in Residence program. She will join in our services on Feb. 3. Ticketing details will be forthcoming. Mark your calendars, as this may well be a sold-out concert. Federation is a major sponsor of the event.

Our services continue in person every Friday night, 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist church off Pine Ridge Road. Everyone is welcome.

Other planned activities (provided one pandemic or another doesn’t prevent us) include a Chanukah party, a Purim spiel and a second night Pesach seder. Other activities will be added as the year progresses.

If you like what you experience and would like to become a member of Naples Jewish Congregation, “the small congregation with the big heart,” we have a policy for first-year members to “pay from the heart.” In other words, for your first year, you pay what you wish.

So, come on down to a service or adult ed and service and see why we call ourselves “the small congregation with a big heart.”