Adult Education

adults in classroom discussionJudaism values life-long learning. Learning as an adult can stimulate deeper participation in Jewish life and generate new meaning for many other aspects of one’s life. It links individuals to a vibrant global community, and to the wisdom and life experiences of the Jewish People spanning centuries. Federation promotes pluralistic and inclusive adult learning in both formal and experiential settings.

Why is Jewish Adult Education Important?

“The purpose of learning…is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.”
– Mortimer Adler (American philosopher, educator, editor 1902-2001)

Adult education is a powerful mechanism for generating participation and meaning in Jewish life. Jewish education benefits adult learners while creating significant opportunities for community growth. Communities are strengthened by strong social networks among people from multiple generations and across geographic divides. It is through the efforts of individuals who feel inspired by Judaism that the traditions of social activism and compassion are fortified for future generations.

Learning is a way of strengthening one’s Jewish identity and connection to our tradition. Additionally, since much of Jewish learning is done with others, it augments community building.

 

Jump to Adult Education Events

Resources

The B’nai Israel Adult Education program offers a rich array of adult education programs in a variety of formats – from single lectures, to book clubs, to mini-mesters and courses of study that last a year or more.

 

Haberman Institute logoThe Haberman Institute is the primary address for high quality adult Jewish learning opportunities in the Greater Washington area. Haberman offers programs such as academic lectures, full Days of Learning, ongoing classes, cultural programs, and trips of Jewish interest.

 

HadarHadar is actively growing its programming in the Washington DC area. We are partnering with local organizations from across the denominational spectrum to bring Hadar’s high-quality teaching to the DC community.

 

JLI logoServing learning centers in over 1,600 communities and on the internet, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) is the world’s preeminent provider of Jewish learning. Find a location near you.

Jewish Studio logoThe Jewish Studio brings Jewish adults together at events that ignite inspiration and fresh insight into Judaism. The Jewish Studio is all about connection.

Jewish Study Center logoThe mission of the Jewish Study Center is to provide classes and programs of Jewish study in the widest breadth of topics as possible; and to accomplish this in an atmosphere where any person, regardless of background or level of current involvement, can feel comfortable to study and to establish a serious relationship with the Jewish tradition.

The Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute offers classes in a wide variety of subjects, including traditional Bible studies, theology, and European or American Jewish history.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America (SHI). Developed as a strategic response to the current challenges facing American and Jewish civic societies within the unique dynamic of Greater Washington, the partnership will operate at the intersection of connection, change and leadership. Read more about the partnership with the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America (SHI).

 

Sixth & I‘s arts and culture programming—including talks, concerts, and comedy shows—entertains and enlightens the widest possible audience with innovative experiences that fuel curiosity, spark inspiration, and promote interaction with preeminent thought leaders and pop culture influencers.

SVIVAH is a women-designed, women-run, women-centered community dedicated to exploring, designing, and discovering a more nourishing, inspiring, and connected Jewish communal experience for women.

Jewish Rockville Outreach Center, JewishROC, is a warm and welcoming Outreach Center inspiring Jews from all backgrounds and levels of observance to experience a closer connection to Judaism and a deeper spirituality through Torah, education, and engaging Jewish practice.

Temple Rodef Shalom logoThe Temple Rodef Shalom adult education program is rich with scholarly lectures, formal and informal study, discussion groups, Judaic classes, Hebrew classes, and other unique learning opportunities that offer our community various ways to enrich spiritual and intellectual growth.

Washington Hebrew-Logo-twotoneAdult learning is part of the Jewish educational journey at Washington Hebrew Congregation. Offering an array of activities and learning opportunities for all ages, Washington Hebrew provides adults a framework for Jewish living.

Upcoming Events

Senior Caucus End-of-Summer BBQ

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 11:45 am - 2:00 pm

Wheelchair Accessible

Entering the Narrow Space

Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Forgotten Frontiers: Jewish Diaspora, Identity, and Survival on the Asian Continent

Thursday, September 4, 2025 - Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Temple Emanuel Erev Shabbat Service featuring Ahmed Alkhatib

Friday, September 5, 2025 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Wheelchair Accessible

B’nai Tzedek’s Back to Shul BBQ

Friday, September 5, 2025 | 5:15 pm - 8:00 pm

Wheelchair Accessible

Museum of the Bible Day Trip

Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 9:45 am - 4:00 pm

Wheelchair Accessible

Kol Ami Hebrew School Open House

Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Wheelchair Accessible
September
2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1Mon
2Tue
3Wed
Senior Caucus End-of-Summer BBQ - Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 11:45 am - 2:00 pm
4Thu
Entering the Narrow Space - Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Forgotten Frontiers: Jewish Diaspora, Identity, and Survival on the Asian Continent - Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies
Thursday, September 4, 2025 - Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
5Fri
B’nai Tzedek’s Back to Shul BBQ - Congregation B’nai Tzedek
Friday, September 5, 2025 | 5:15 pm - 8:00 pm
Temple Emanuel Erev Shabbat Service featuring Ahmed Alkhatib - Temple Emanuel
Friday, September 5, 2025 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
6Sat
7Sun
High Holidays & Back-to-School Security Training - The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Intro to Jewish Learning & Conversion Class - Kol Ami: Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community
Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kol Ami Hebrew School Open House - Kol Ami: Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community
Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Museum of the Bible Day Trip - Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia
Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 9:45 am - 4:00 pm
Temple Rodef Shalom presents Rabbi Dalia Marx: “The Cycle of Forgiveness” - Temple Rodef Shalom
Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
8Mon
9Tue
10Wed
11Thu
12Fri
Mealtime Struggles Parenting Workshop - Bender JCC of Greater Washington
Friday, September 12, 2025 | 8:30 am - 9:30 am
13Sat
“The Last Repair Shop” Screening & Selichot Discussion - Congregation B’nai Tzedek
Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Selichot at Temple Shalom - Temple Shalom
Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The Jewish Studio – A Musical Selichot - The Jewish Studio
Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
14Sun
HiHo Hike + Learn: Adventures in Nature 9/14 - The Den Collective
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Shofar Blowing Workshop - Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County
Sunday, September 14, 2025 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
15Mon
L’Chaim: A Celebration of Your Stories - The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
Monday, September 15, 2025 | 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
The Emperor and the Divine Between Diocletian and Constantine - Bender JCC of Greater Washington
Monday, September 15, 2025 | 7:45 pm - 9:00 pm
16Tue
Sept. 16th Montgomery County, MD Virtual 50+ Employment Expo - Jewish Council for the Aging ® (JCA)
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
17Wed
Beit Midrash with Rav Amelia: Conservative Judaism 101: Where do we come from and what do we stand for? - Congregation Etz Hayim
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
18Thu
19Fri
20Sat
Selichot - Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
21Sun
22Mon
Am Kolel Rosh Hashanah Evening Service - Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community
Monday, September 22, 2025 | 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The Jewish Studio High Holidays – Erev Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish Studio
Monday, September 22, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
23Tue
The Jewish Studio Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish Studio
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
24Wed
Am Kolel Rosh Hashanah 2nd Day Services - Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
25Thu
26Fri
27Sat
28Sun
29Mon
30Tue