Giving Tuesday, December 1st 2020
Celebrate Oak Park Temple and how it enriches our lives.
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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
Sunday, November 29
9-9:45 am – Minyan
10-11:30 am - Torah Study: Samuel
Monday, November 30
9:30-10:30 am - Hatha/Vinyasa Yoga
1:30-2:30 pm - Explorations in Jewish History with Rabbi Weiss: CANCELED THIS WEEK
7-8:30 pm - Taste of Judaism with Rabbi Gerson
Discover the basics of Jewish practice and belief in this three-session course taught by Gary Gerson, Rabbi Emeritus of Oak Park Temple. This engaging class on Jewish spirituality, ethics, and community is designed for the curious beginner. Individuals from all faith backgrounds are welcome. Future classes include Dec. 7 and 14. Register for the course online here.
Tuesday, December 1
10-10:15 am - Morning Meditation with Lisa Lombard
7:30-8:30 pm - What to Watch this Winter: Recommendations for Indoor Viewing with Barbara Brotman
Are you bingeing on some great streaming shows or podcasts? We're all looking for suggestions. Come share whatever you're watching/listening to, and get recommendations for new ones. We'll go around the Zoom room sharing ideas, and come away with our winters planned!
Wednesday, December 2
1:30-2:30 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.
Thursday, December 3
1-3 pm - STAR: For retirees and older people to learn and connect
This week: We’re going to the Symphony! The Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents “Prestini, Perkinson & Mendelssohn.” We’ll view the one-hour performance together and then have our usual opportunity to reflect and catch up. See the CSO website here for details about the performance.
7:30-8:30 pm - Restorative Justice with Judge Kristyna Ryan
Chicago’s second restorative justice court opened this summer, and Cook County Circuit Court Judge Kristyna Ryan is one of the judges who runs it. Judge Ryan will review the fundamentals of restorative justice, explain the benefits of restorative justice courts in Chicago, and share some stories of life in the court in its first two months.
Friday, December 4
9-10 am - Torah Study: Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Kirzane
Read this week’s Torah portion online: Vayishlach.
8-9 pm - Shabbat services
Saturday, December 5
8:30-9:30 am - Talmud Study with Rabbi Weiss. Note the link here.
10-11 am - Shabbat services
This week, we celebrate Olive Tepfer, who is called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah. This week’s service will be conducted remotely, and all community members are invited to participate, including saying names for Mi Shebeirach and Kaddish.
7-8:30 pm - Trivia Night sponsored by Women of Oak Park Temple
Show off your knowledge of “women’s trivia” (with a few other questions snuck in)! Come with a team or join one when you arrive - all are welcome. An evening of fun and (light) competition. RSVP suggested to womenofopt@gmail.com.
Sunday, December 6
9-9:45 am - Minyan (weekday morning services; all are welcome)
10-11:30 am - Torah Study: Samuel
7-8:30 pm - Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life with Rabbi Gerson
Uncover practical applications of Jewish mystical teachings in our own spiritual lives. Rabbi Gerson will lead us in reading, discussion, and application of textual selections from Hasidic and other Jewish mystical masters. This course is intended for all searchers, regardless of familiarity with Kabbalah, and each class is standalone - join us for one or all sessions! Please read these six pages for this week’s class. Our next session will meet on Jan. 10 and future sessions include 2/14, 3/14, 4/11, 5/23, 6/27, and 7/25. Note the new login
7:30-8:30 pm - The History and Meaning of Jewish Prayer with Rabbi Weiss
Come and Learn: Our Siddur, prayer book, is a map of Jewish history and our historical understanding of our relationship with God. The prayers in it, their order and evolution through time are not random. Come and learn about the contents, history and meaning of our siddur. This class is designed to help you understand how the siddur works and how its contents can enrich your life. Note: Next week (Dec. 13) is the last class in this series.
Weekly Classes with the Rabbis
NEW: 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.
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.
Click for a list of Covid-19 Testing Sites within 5 miles of Oak Park (IDPH)
Please send questions, comments, suggestions via our contact form.