Adult Education

Adult Education Programs

Temple Har Zion offers a variety of adult education opportunities.

​An informed congregation is vital to a synagogue’s vitality and growth. By continuing education in adulthood, members can gain a deeper understanding of their faith and impart that knowledge to future generations.

Judaism on One Foot, JOOF

New for 5787 / Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 Save the dates!

JOOF is a series 18 classes that will be held at Har Zion during the 2026–27 academic year, beginning in October, 2026, and continuing until May, 2027. All of the classes will be held on Sunday mornings, from 10:30am–12 noon. 

Each class is on a different subject—listed below—offering a concise look at how that subject relates to Jews and Judaism. The topics are set at this point, but the dates are subject to change. The instructors will include Rabbi Glick, Cantor Figa, Education Director David Schwartz, and other experts in the fields.

Judaism on One Foot Schedule (JOOF):
Dates and Topics, 2026–2027 (As of October 1)

Registration is required; there is a registration link on the JOOF event page of the Activity Calendar. Questions? Please check the JOOF event page; it will always have the most recent information.

En Español and For Conversion

This program has Spanish language support. While the classes will be in English, the book and materials are available in Spanish and Har Zion’s Octavio Urbina, ourbina78@outlook.com, is available to assist Spanish-speaking participants and answer questions about the program.

Also, if you are considering conversion, the classes can be an important part of your conversion process.

Why “Judaism on One Foot”?

Sefaria, “Community–Powered Jewish Learning,” explains:

A famous story is told about a Roman who decided he wanted to affiliate himself with the Judean sages of the Second Temple. However, he did not have the patience to spend an adequate amount of time immersed in their teachings and literature, so he said he would join them on condition that he be could be taught the entirety of the Torah while standing on one foot.

The first sage he approached, Shammai, thought that the gentile was not being genuine, and chased him away with a measuring stick.

The second sage, Hillel, accepted the challenge and stated the following: ‘That which is hateful to you, do not do to another; that is the entire Torah. The rest is interpretation. Go study.”

(This is the beginning of a D’var Torah on Parashat Balak: “Torah on One Foot: Haftarah for Balak; Micah 5:6–6:8.”)

There are several staples of the Temple Har Zion calendar:

• Rabbi Adir Glick teaches a weekly class exploring Biblical Topics. Each topic is introduced and discussed in-depth over several weeks, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of stories, themes, and teachings. Classes meet Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. in person (with Zoom available for those unable to come in person). Contact Rabbi Glick at rabbiglick@wsthz.org for more information.
• Director of Education David Schwartz teaches a weekly class covering a range of topics relating to Judaism, including holidays, prayers, Rabbinic wisdom and little-known biblical and Talmudic stories. Classes meet on Zoom Mondays from 8 to 9 p.m. and are available on Zoom. Contact David at dschwartz@wsthz.org for more information or a schedule.
• Rabbi Glick and David Schwartz together teach a monthly “Building Your Jewish Toolkit” on select Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., giving community members a chance to learn, ask questions, and share traditions about a holiday each month. This is in person only. Contact David at dschwartz@wsthz.org for more information.
• Temple member Suzanne Fournier teaches “Learn to Read Hebrew” twice a month. Classes meet in person on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Contact David at dschwartz@wsthz.org for more information or a schedule.
• Cantor Figa and Rabbi Glick are organizing Adult B’nai Mitzvah Classes for temple members of all ages. Learn to chant Torah and Haftarah using trope, learn the central prayers of the weekly service, learn to recognize basic words in Hebrew, and learn how to study a parashah and prepare a d’var Torah on it—all of the things you need to get ready for your bar or bat mitzvah! We are having a short informational meeting for these classes on Sunday, March 17, 11:45am-Noon, at the end of the first Jewish Toolkit class. Contact Rabbi Glick at rabbiglick@wsthz.org if you are interested or have questions.

Temple Har Zion hosts adult education programs and lectures throughout the year. Recent offerings have included a series, “Homelessness and Judaism”, a series of local university Jewish Studies professors lecturing on topics in their fields of expertise, a history of Israeli art and presentations about Jewish communities around the world. See  our calendar of events for upcoming programs.