Are you an interfaith family? Are you looking for an opportunity to explore your Jewish faith with your family in an open and supportive environment?

Temple Emanu-El is excited to offer a new program "Stepping Stones to a Jewish Family," which will provide interfaith families an opportunity to learn about Judaism and explore rituals, synagogue life and community participation in an open, supportive environment. Temple is partnering with the Tucson Hebrew Academy on this program, which is sponsored by a grant from the Steven A. Lightman Family Foundation.

Read more: Stepping Stones

Rabbi Jason Holtz

This year-long class presents a thematic introduction to Jewish ideas, texts, theology, history, and culture taught in an interactive and participatory discussion style.  Learn all the basics, exploring the most important texts of Jewish tradition: Torah, Prophets, Writings, Mishnah, Gemara, Midrash, Codes, Philosophy, and Liturgy.  This class is a prerequisite for the Adult B'nai Mitzvah program, Adult Confirmation, and for all conversion students.  Course fees include textbook.

Registration Fees: $95 for members; $135 for non-members
Thursdays from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm.
October 25; November 1, 8, 15, 29; December 6, 13; January 10, 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2.

Read more: Basic Judaism

Cantorial Soloist Marjorie Hochberg

Learn to read Hebrew in two fun sessions -- just seven hours -- guaranteed!  This year, read along with the prayers at services, and make Hebrew a language you know.

Registration Fee: $45 for members; $60 for non-members
Sunday, August 26, 1:00 - 5:00 pm and Monday, August 27, 6:00 - 9:00 pm.
Sunday, October 14, 1:00 - 5:00 pm and Monday, October 15, 6:00 - 9:00 pm.  

Read more: Hebrew Marathon

Rabbi Jason Holtz

Through mitzvot, sacred Jewish obligations, we can change our lives, improve our community, heal the world, elevate the ordinary into the extraordinary, and transform special occasions into holy occasions.  This is a class on both what it means to be a Jew and how to be a Jew.  We will learn about mitzvot, like honoring one's parents, good stewardship of the world, and giving tzedakah, financial support for good causes.  We will learn about the Sabbath and ways to make it a "palace in time" as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel referred to it.  We will also learn about the holidays and ways to make them meaningful and spiritual, from the High Holy Days to Hanukkah to Passover and more.  

Registration Fees: $45 for members; $60 for non-members
Sundays from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.
September 9, 23; October 28; December 2; January 13, 20; February 10; March 17; April 7. 

Read more: Jewish Living

The process of becoming Jewish is very individual and personal. Our conversion to Judaism program is flexible and organic in nature, but it does have certain specific requirements to assist you in coming to understand Judaism and determine if it is a choice you wish to make.

Read more: Conversion

Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon

More advanced than Basic Judaism, this is a year-long study of the ideas, practices, and connections that make Judaism a vital and evolving religion today.  As a comprehensive exploration of the reality of today's Judaism, Intermediate Judaism focuses on the great ideas and trends of modern and contemporary Judaism: the origins and development of Reform, Conservative, and Modern Orthodox Judaism, Reconstructionist ideas, and other movements within modern Judaism.  This course will focus on themes of current importance and debate.

Registration Fees: $95 for members; $135 for non-members
Thursdays from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm.
November 15, 29; December 6, 13; January 10, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 28; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16.

Read more: Intermediate Judaism

Simply Shabbat is an exploration of the Friday evening Shabbat Service, with explanations of the service and introductions to Shabbat songs and prayers in a slower-paced, non-threatening celebration of the Sabbath.  Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon, Rabbi Jason Holtz and Cantorial Soloist Marjorie Hochberg lead this open approach to understanding the rituals, history and practice of a Reform Sabbath experience.  Instead of a sermon, there is a question-and-answer session.  Come find out what Shabbat is all about!  All are welcome.

Simply Shabbat is provided by the Ruth F. and Samuel H. Cohen Outreach Program of Temple Emanu-El.

Read more: Simply Shabbat

Temple Emanu-El's Babies and Bagels Club is a monthly program for families with young children. We do various family activities around town or at the Temple, we play, discuss parenting and ethical issues, explore Jewish holidays and values, eat, create and have fun together. Babies and Bagels events are open to all, and the events are designed to appeal to both younger and older children alike.

The Babies & Bagels Club is provided by the Ruth F. and Samuel H. Cohen Outreach Program of Temple Emanu-El.

Read more: Babies & Bagels

Temple Emanu-El's Taste of Judaism program offers free introductory classes that explore Judaism, Jews and Israel through learning, discussion, stories, jokes, and, of course, sampling of traditional Jewish foods. The class is in three 2-hour sessions and is open to the entire community.

Taste of Judaism classes are an open, interactive explortion of history and practice of Judaism in 3 sessions that discuss Jewish Spirituality, Values and Community, led by Rabbis Samuel M. Cohon and Jason Holtz. This is an exciting learning opportunity for all who want to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Jewish culture, history, rituals and practice; who want to learn more about the Reform Jewish perspective; or are simply curious about Judaism. The classes are free, but pre-registration is required. Please call Mila Vasser at 327-4501 ext. 16 for more information and to register.

This class is provided by the Ruth F. and Samuel H. Cohen Outreach Program of Temple Emanu-El.

FREE, but you must register by calling Mila at (520) 327-4501.
Sundays, August 12, 19, 26, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Tucson Hebrew Academy, 3888 East River Road. 
               *Parallel kids' programming for this series
Mondays, August 13, 20, 27, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Nanini Library, 7300 North Shannon Road
Wednesdays, August 22, 29, September 5, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Bear Canyon Library, 8959 East Tanque Verde Road
Thursdays, August 23, 30, September 6, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Temple Emanu-El
Sundays, October 14, 21, 28, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Temple Emanu-El (free childcare provided - please mention when registering) 

Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon and Rabbi Jason Holtz

This three-part class, provided by The Ruth F. and Samuel H. Cohen Outreach Program of Temple Emanu-El, will help those who have a modest knowledge of Jewish life to better understand Judaism as practiced in America.  This is a broad-based presentation of three major themes in American Judaism, a fun, upbeat but intelligent approach to getting a better handle on just what today's version of our ancient religion is all about.  

Taught in the same energetic, interactive style as the hugely popular Taste of Judaism series, the classes include "Jews in America -- Movements (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox & More)", "Assimilation & Creativity: From Davening to Rock? A Jewish Way to Pray", and "American-Israeli Relations".  Includes delicious "tastes" of traditional Jewish foods.  

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out when our next session will be offered.