Oak Park Temple B'nai Abraham Zion

Connect with your OPT Community

Online with Zoom
For login instructions, visit this members-only page on our website. You can also email admin@oakparktemple.org for additional help and instructions.
Learn more here about how Zoom works.

Weekly Schedule

Friday, January 15
9-10 am - Torah Study: Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Kirzane
Read this week’s Torah portion online: Va’era.
8-9 pm - Shabbat services

Saturday, January 16
8:30-9:30 am - Talmud Study with Rabbi Weiss. Note the link here.
10-11 am - Shabbat services

Sunday, January 17
9-9:45 am - Minyan (weekday morning services; all are welcome)
10-11:30 am - Torah Study: 1 Kings
5-6 pm - Great Books Discussion Group: Aristotle’s Politics
All are welcome as our low-key, high-wisdom group continues our study of Aristotle’s Politics. Newcomers are encouraged to join!
7:30-8:30 pm - Jewish Theology: The Obligated Self (Session 03) with Rabbi Kirzane
“Before I created you in the womb, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5); “I will betroth you unto Me forever” (Hosea 2:19). Judaism has always imagined God as both transcendent and immanent, a limitless Creator who has a relationship with Creation. This five-part series will explore fundamental topics in Jewish theology drawing on Mara Benjamin's The Obligated Self: Maternal Subjectivity in and Jewish Thought. (No advance reading required). This is the second series in our year-long Anshe Mitzah (adult b’nai mitzvah) program. This series will run each Sunday in January. You do not need to be in the Anshe Mitzvah program to attend this course on its own.

Monday, January 18 (Happy MLK Day)
9-10 am - Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga
As certified RYT 200 yoga instructor, Marissa (she/her they/them) strives to create a nurturing yet challenging environment. To learn more about Marissa’s approach and for information about this class, visit this resource page.
10-11am - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Commemoration with the Jewish United Fund (see login information below)
The Jewish United Fund of Chicago convenes an annual commemoration of MLK Day. This year, we join JCRC, Stone Temple Baptist Church and the North Lawndale Historical & Cultural Society for a virtual celebration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Register online for the Zoom link.
1:30-2:30 pm - Explorations in Jewish History with Rabbi Weiss
Join the conversation as we explore the backwaters and byways of Jewish history using first-hand accounts. We will examine some of Judaism’s forgotten histories and legends.
8-9 pm - “Let’s Talk about Sects”: An Introduction to the Branches of Judaism with West Suburban Temple (see Zoom info below)
Rabbi Adir Glick of West Suburban Temple Har Zion presents on Conservative Judaism in this speaker series presented by West Suburban Temple. This concludes the five-week series. Join at this Zoom link...

Tuesday, January 19
10-10:15 am - Morning Meditation with Lisa Lombard
7:30-8:30 pm - Antisemitism on College Campuses with Emily White and Emily Briskman
Too often, we are reminded of the ugliness and the power of antisemitism. College students today, including at the University of Illinois, face increasing challenges on account of their Jewishness, impacting not only their student experience but also their understanding of what it means to be Jewish. Two experts on recent challenges at the University of Illinois and at college campuses more generally will share their assessment with us. Emily White grew up at Oak Park Temple and is the director of JUF’s Israel Education Center, Department of Campus Affairs & Student Engagement. Emily Briskman is the executive director of the Hillels of Illinois.

Wednesday, January 20
12:30-1:30 pm - The David Saga with Rabbi Kirzane (NOTE NEW TIME)
King David is one of the most significant figures in Jewish history and scripture. The biblical texts about King David (1 & 2 Samuel) rival epics around the world for their richness, depth, and spiritual meaning. Join us for this new weekly text study class where we’ll walk through these ancient passages, discovering new insights into our religious tradition.

Thursday, January 21
10-10:15 am - Morning Meditation with Lisa Lombard
1-3 pm - STAR: For retirees and older people to learn and connect
This week: Attorney John Sullivan will join us to discuss the topic of "Civil and Criminal Law in the Face of Covid-19.”

Friday, January 22
9-10 am - Torah Study: Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Kirzane
Read this week’s Torah portion online: Bo.
6:30-7:30 pm - Shabbat services

Saturday, January 23
8:30-9:30 am - Talmud Study with Rabbi Weiss. Note the link here.
10-11:30 am - Shabbat services

Sunday, January 24
9-9:45 am - Minyan (weekday morning services; all are welcome)
10-11:30 am - Torah Study: 1 Kings
5-6 pm - Great Books Discussion Group: Aristotle’s Politics
All are welcome as our low-key, high-wisdom group continues our study of Aristotle’s Politics. Newcomers are encouraged to join!
7-9 pm - (Re)Introduction to Judaism (see registration link below)
Explore a modern take on Jewish life. Engage with Jewish values, celebrations, and spirituality. Voice your questions, discover multiple perspectives, and find what could be meaningful to you in liberal Judaism. Open to all, this course is perfect for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, individuals considering conversion, and Jews who want a meaningful adult Jewish learning experience. Learn more and register online here.
7:30-8:30 pm - Jewish Theology: The Obligated Self (Session 04) with Rabbi Kirzane
“Before I created you in the womb, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5); “I will betroth you unto Me forever” (Hosea 2:19). Judaism has always imagined God as both transcendent and immanent, a limitless Creator who has a relationship with Creation. This five-part series will explore fundamental topics in Jewish theology drawing on Mara Benjamin's The Obligated Self: Maternal Subjectivity in and Jewish Thought. (No advance reading required). This is the second series in our year-long Anshe Mitzah (adult b’nai mitzvah) program. This series will run each Sunday in January. You do not need to be in the Anshe Mitzvah program to attend this course on its own.

Weekly Classes with the Rabbis

Sundays @ 7:30 pm - The History and Meaning of Jewish Prayer with Rabbi Weiss: Part of our Anshe Mitzvah Class
We launch our Anshe Mitzvah program, which includes a series of Sunday evening classes on a variety of topics. Learners who commit to the year join a cohort of “adult b’nai mitzvah” students. Also, each series is standalone without the year-long commitment.

Mondays @ 1:30 pm - Explorations in Jewish History with Rabbi Weiss
Join the conversation as we explore the backwaters and byways of Jewish history using first-hand accounts. We will examine some of Judaism’s forgotten histories and legends.

Wednesdays @ 1:30 pm - Reform Judaism: History, Theology, and Society with Rabbi Kirzane
A series focusing on Judaism’s oldest formal denomination. Each class will focus on a different aspect of the history, philosophy, and sociology of Reform.

Fridays @ 9 am - Weekly Torah Study with Rabbi Kirzane
Each week we explore the history behind and meanings that emerge out of our most sacred text.

Saturdays @ 8:30 am - Talmud Study with Rabbi Weiss
A deep dive into the text of the Talmud, our class moves page-by-page through Masechet B’rachot.

Payment & Pledges 20/21

In this time members of our community may need support.
Please click HERE if you need anything.
Shabbat Shalom and stay healthy.

Please know that should you need anything, even to talk, you can reach out to us by email; Rabbi Weiss, Rabbi Kirzane, or Cantor Green.