All Are Welcome to Learn at CBS University!
Jewish learning lasts a lifetime…
At Congregation Beth Shalom we believe that learning is a lifelong journey. Our Adult Education program called CBS Univeristy offers meaningful opportunities for exploration, growth, and connection through Jewish learning. Whether you’re deepening your knowledge of sacred texts, engaging with contemporary issues through a Jewish lens, or simply seeking community and conversation, we invite you to join us in thoughtful, enriching study.
To meet the needs of our constituents we offer classes on a variety of days and times, as well as in person and many via Zoom. While we love being able to “come to you” if you can’t come to us, please remember that there is no substitution for learning in person.
You can scroll below for our upcoming/current classes.
To learn more about CBS University at Congregation Beth Shalom, or about the Adult Education Committee, please contact Audrey Taxer either via e-mail or by calling Congregation Beth Shalom at 847-498-4100 ext. 145.
Join Carl Schrag as we explore the complexities, history, culture and current events of Israel in this thought provoking program.
Each session will have a different topic and a seperate registration form. Come for Minyan, enjoy breakfast sponsored by Men’s Club, and then stay for this thought provoking class.
October 11 – Israel Votes: In what many are calling Israel’s most fateful election ever, Israelis will go to the polls on October 27. We’ll parse the electoral system, the candidates and the issues. Bring your questions. Register Here
March 14, 2027 – TBD
April 4, 2027
May 2, 2027
Join Rabbi Chapman on a few Sunday mornings as he takes a leisurely bike ride to a local park. Once there, you will enjoy a break and learn some nature-based Torah together. You will leave mid-morning and return by lunch. Prior to the ride an email will be sent with more specific information. This class is weather dependent.
You’ve asked and we brought back an old favorite. Join us four times this year for a moderated movie discussion. Jay Sorkin will join us for a moderated discussion of a Jewish themed movie. Approximately one week prior we will send out a movie for you to watch on your own. A week later we will come together for a moderated discussion. Of course popcorn and snacks will be available.
This class will be in-person only, for CBS members only. Life and Living.
| Moderator: | Jay Sorkin |
| Date: | Sunday 10/25, 12/ 13 |
| Time: | 4:00 – 5:30 pm |
| Fee: | No Charge for CBS members |
Dive into the richness of the Hebrew Bible in this engaging and accessible Tanakh class. Together, we will study selections from Torah, Prophets, and Writings, examining the historical context, literary structure, and enduring themes of each text. With commentary from traditional and modern scholars, we will explore how these ancient stories continue to shape Jewish thought, ethics, and identity today. All are welcome—no prior knowledge of Hebrew or Jewish texts required!
Class will meet in person and via Zoom. Text
| Instructor: | Rabbi David Chapman |
| Dates: | Mondays 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14 |
| Time: | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm |
| Fee: | No charge for CBS members, $50 per person per semester for non-member Friends of CBS |
This weekly discussion-based class zooms in on local, national, and global news through a distinctly Jewish lens. We’ll talk about politics, Israel, antisemitism, anti-Zionism, rifts in our Jewish community, local and global Jewish affairs, campus life, and the intersection between these topics and more. Carl Schrag, who was the Editor of the Jerusalem Post, brings a journalist’s probing questions to every topic.
Class will meet in person and via Zoom. Israel
| Instructor: | Carl Schrag |
| Dates: | Tuesdays 8/25, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15 |
| Time: | 10:30 – 11:30 am |
| Fee: | No charge for CBS members; $50 per person per semester for non-member Friends of CBS |
The month of Elul is Judaism’s season of reflection and return. This soulful class will help us prepare for the High Holidays through text study, music, and introspection. Explore how Jewish tradition teaches the spiritiual art of beginning again-with compassion, courage and purpose.
Class will meet in person only. Life and Living
| Instructor: | Rabbi David Chapman |
| Date: | Tuesdays 8/25, 9/1, 9/8 |
| Time: | 5:00 – 6:00 pm |
| Fee: | No charge for CBS members $30 per person per semester for non-member Friends of CBS |
Judaism places great importance on speech. Just as the universe was created through God’s words, we have the capacity to damage or destroy with our own words. Through text study and dialogue, this class will explore the nature of positive and negative speech through a Jewish lens.
Class will meet in person and via Zoom. Life and Living
| Instructor: | Rabbi David Chapman |
| Date: | Tuesdays 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3 |
| Time: | 6:15 – 7:30 pm |
| Fee: | No charge for CBS members; $50 per person per semester for non-member Friends of CBS |
Hineni appears 13 times in the Tanakh. We will look at each one and see how “Here I Am” changes depending on the situation, who’s talking, and who’s talking to whom. What does it mean to be present?
This class will meet in person only. Life and Living
| Instructor: | Rabbi Anita Silvert |
| Date: | Wednesdays 10/7 |
| Time: | 9:30 – 10:30 am |
| Fee: | No charge for CBS members |
What does it mean to be a Woman of Valor? In this six-session series, we’ll explore the timeless wisdom of Eshet Chayil and discover how it’s values of strength, wisdon, compassion, and courage are reflected in the lives of remarkable Jewish women, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Gal Gadot, Sarah Hurwitz, Golda Meir, and Deborah Lipstadt. Through text study, engaging conversation, and contemporary stories, we’ll examine how these women have shaped the Jewish world and beyond-and what their journeys can teach
us about living lives of purpose and valor today.
This class will meet in person only. Life and Living
| Instructor: | Carly Wallenstein |
| Date: | Wednesdays – 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11 |
| Time: | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Fee: | No charge for CBS members; $50 per semester for non-member friends of CBS |
Some of the great sages in our history have their own understanding of the building of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. We will look at the different ways the Sages saw the Mishkan, its symbolism and its place in our tradition.
This class will be in person and via Zoom. Jewish Life and Living.
| Instructor: | Rabbi Anita Silvert |
| Date: | 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2 |
| Time: | 9:30 – 10:30 am |
| Fee: | No Charge for CBS Members $10 per class for Non-Member friends of CBS |
If you haven’t tried this class yet, and have been looking at it for a while, NOW is the time . . . REGISTER! With deep breathing and slow movements, improve your health, concentration, digestion, balance, flexibility, and overall well-being. This Tai Chi class is specially adapted for the chair (with some standing), and works you head to toe in a fun, relaxing way. If you are not free on Thursday mornings, no problem! REGISTER and watch the video when you have time.
Class will meet via Zoom only: Life and Living
| Instructor: | Allison Deputy, MoonWillow Tai Chi |
| Date: | Thursdays 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 |
| Time: | 9:30 – 10:15 am |
| Fee: | No fee: donation strongly encouraged |
Join Rabbi Honig to explore the weekly parsha! Each session will bring the text to life by utilizing curated notes of Rabbi Wolkin as a modern commentary. It’s the perfect opportunity to deepen your parsha knowledge while gaining fresh, meaningful perspectives.
This class will be offered in person and via Zoom. Text
| Instructor: | Rabbi Jacki Honig |
| Date: | Thursday 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 |
| Time: | 1:30 – 2:30 pm |
| Fee: | No charge for CBS Members $10 per class for Non-Member freinds of CBS |
3433 Walters Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-4100 |
Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
