Adult Programs

At Congregation Shearith Israel, we offer a multitude of adult learning opportunities.  From Talmud study, holiday workshops, cooking classes -- even genealogy! We believe in the utmost importance of continuing to educate ourselves. Let us help YOU find something that inspires you to learn! At our core, we are a community of lifelong learners committed to offering ongoing opportunities for study -- no matter what your background, skill, or area of interest.

Current Adult Education programs include:

Synagogue Scholar & Author Series:

Each year, we offer our popular Synagogue Scholar & Author Series, congregant-led presentations on a range of topics of expertise. Some of our past presentations have included: 

• Medical Innovation in Start-Up Nation: Lessons for Any Professional Community Hungering for New Ideas
• Everything you always wanted to know about the violin: its history, construction, performance techniques, and why it's so freakin' hard to play it!
• Must I be Complicit in Your Sin? A Human Rights Look at the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby and Masterpiece Cakeshop Decisions

2024 - 2025 Schedule & Presentations

emory@shearith:

In 2023-2024, Shearith Israel revived an illuminating program in which Emory scholars in areas of Jewish studies delivered a 3-part series of lectures at CSI. Stay tuned for details on our 2024-2025 slate of presenters.

This past year's presentations included: 

• Dr. Michael Berger, Associate Professor in Emory's Department of Religion speaking on "Jewish Giants of the 20th Century: Being Jewish in the Modern World: Kook, Kaplan and Soloveitchik". 
• Dr. Eric Goldstein, Associate Professor in Emory's Department of History and Institute for Jewish Studies speaking on "Where do Jews fit into America's racial and ethnic mix?" based on his book The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race, and American Identity. 

melton course with rabbi melvin sirner: ethics of jewish living

Rabbi Melvin Sirner will present a 3-part class on Wednesday evenings at CSI during the 2021 - 2022 year. The courses begin August 25 and explore the wisdom of ancient and modern rabbis, scholars and thinkers, offering multiple Jewish approaches to conducting our lives in the communal and private spheres. Participants may attend the first two sessions before making a commitment to enroll for the entire course. Stay tuned for details for the 2024-2025 course. 

miller introduction to judaism program with rabbi ariel root wolpe

We are pleased to offer the Miller Introduction to Judaism course for the greater Atlanta Jewish community this fall and winter. Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe and guest teachers from communities across Atlanta will facilitate the program at Shearith Israel on Monday nights starting October 4. The course is divided into three six-week sessions this fall and winter. Stay tuned for details for the 2024-2025 course.