Online Adult Education

Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism with Rabbi Michael Jay

Mondays, 10 am on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 18, 25; Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Dec. 6, 13, 20

Class Description: From the Hartman Institute: This groundbreaking, pluralistic curriculum grew out of an interest in sharing ideas that have been taught to rabbis at the Hartman Institute for decades and is designed to give even beginners access to deep Jewish thought. This sophisticated curriculum is not a 'how-to' Judaism 101 course but can serve as a complement for learners interested in grappling with philosophical questions on Jewish peoplehood, faith, ethics, and practice that are at the heart of Jewish tradition.

Cost: $110 for CAI Members / $220 for Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Torah Study: A Critical Analysis with Phil Kruger

Mondays, 8 pm on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Dec. 6, 13, 20

Class Description: Phil Kruger will lead a weekly discussion of selected topics in the Torah. It is his intention to explore the Torah from a text critical, historical and, on occasion, a philosophical perspective. You will find yourself at a great disadvantage in these discussions if you do not have handy a copy of the Hebrew scriptures, in either English or Hebrew, or preferably, in both.

Cost: FREE for CAI Members and Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Text and Coffee: The Book of B'reisheet as Seen Through Different Perspectives with Nancy Caplan

Tuesdays, 10:30 am on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Dec. 7, 14, 21

Cost: $120 for CAI Members / $240 for Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Using Pirke Avot to Explore Jewish Ethics, Laws and Customs
with Nancy Caplan

Tuesdays, 1 pm on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Dec. 7, 14, 21

Cost: $120 for CAI Members / $240 for Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Law and Morality Through Literature with Deborah Orens

Tuesdays, 8 pm on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16

Class Description: This class presents a thematic approach to engage participants in great (short) works of literature focusing on important issues such as justice, equality and public policy. Through literature, we will explore issues through the perspective of characters, focusing on how they live their lives and react to moral and legal challenges.

Through both American and Judaic sources, we will analyze these issues as they pertain to current events.

The first week we meet, we will together refine the objectives of this class and discuss the short story “The Lottery”. For the next units, we will first analyze the short stories, and the following week examine the pertinent legal sources defined above.

1.”The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
Essential Question: How/why do morality and laws change over time?

2. “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov and “In the Penal Colony” by Franz Kafka
Essential Question: How should society deal with the most serious crime in an effective, efficient and humane manner?

3. “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan and “The German Refugee” by Bernard Malamud
Essential Question: How can the United States continue to be a beacon for freedom while still protecting itself from uncontrolled border crossing/ illegal immigration?
Note: What is the difference between an illegal alien and an undocumented immigrant?

Bio: Deborah Orens practiced law at Hannoch Weisman, and currently teaches English literature at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, where she has developed specialized curricula merging these two passions. She lives in Fairfield with her husband Jeff, and loves to attend Shabbat services with their daughter Rebecca and granddaughter Miriam. After a 23 year exile to Connecticut and Pennsylvania, she was more than happy to return to CAI nine years ago.

Cost: FREE for CAI Members and Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

The Biblical Book of Chronicles with Rabbi Alan Silverstein

Wednesdays, 9:30 am on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17; Dec. 1, 8, 15

Cost: Free for CAI Members / $200 for Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

The Case for Israel with Rabbi Alan Silverstein

Wednesdays, 10:30 am on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17; Dec. 1, 8, 15

Cost: Free for CAI Members / $200 for Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Medical Ethics and Jewish Law with Rabbi Alan Silverstein

Thursdays, 9:30 am on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18; Dec. 2, 9, 16

Cost: Free for CAI Members / $200 for Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Jewish Pop Culture with Susan Werk

Thursdays, 10:30 am on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18; Dec. 2, 9, 16

Class Description: Enjoy a fun hour of investigating the latest of Jewish Pop culture. Through the magic of Zoom we will view clips and wonder "what's Jewish about this?"

Cost: Free for CAI Members / $200 for Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

TaNaKh with Rabbi Ari Lucas

Thursdays, 12 pm on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18; Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23

Class Description: We will work our way through the Hebrew Bible (TaNaKh) covering one chapter each session. There are 929 chapters so we should cover the whole Bible in under 20 years! We’ll begin in the book of Shoftim-Judges. No previous knowledge necessary. The first 10-15 minutes of each session will be dedicated to simply reading the verses in Hebrew and in English, and then we’ll discuss themes, commentary, questions. We’ll draw from resources on the 929 website.

Cost: Free for CAI Members / $200 for Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Heartfelt Prayers: Gems from "Lev Shalem"
with Rabbi Richard Hammerman

Fridays, 8:35 am on the Morning Minyan Zoom link
Dates: From Oct. 1 through May 2022

Class Description: We will be using the Siddur Lev Shalem for Shabbat and Festivals. A limited number of books are available to borrow from CAI for CAI members on a first come, first served basis. Books can be picked up from the Main Office during regular office hours. Books can also be purchased from the Rabbinical Assembly Website (currently 40% off!).

Cost: FREE for CAI Members and Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Herman Wouk's "The Will to Live On: This is Our Heritage"
with Rabbi Marge Wise

Fridays, 9:30 am on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12, 19; Dec. 3, 10, 17

Class Description: I'm excited to announce that, by popular acclaim, we will be studying beloved author, Herman Wouk's newest and highly-acclaimed book, "The Will to Live On: This is Our Heritage", a non-fiction compendium of Jewish history, tradition and sacred literature. 

Let's be inspired together - join us Friday mornings!

The book does not need to be purchased. Rabbi Wise will screen share the materials. If you would like to purchase the book, you can find it on Amazon.

Cost: FREE for CAI Members and Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.

Current Events and Implications with Max Kleinman

Fridays, Monthly at 10:30 am on Zoom
Dates: Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 18, Apr. 8, May 20

Class Description: An interactive discussion of major news events and developments, with particular emphasis on Jewish concerns and issues.

Bio: Max Kleinman is a columnist on current events for New Jersey Jewish News. Max previously served as CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest for 20 years.

Cost: FREE for CAI Members and Nonmembers


To register, please complete the form below. You will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting information.