Adult Education at Kol Haverim is founded on our commitment to the mitzvah of lifelong learning. Our broad and varied Adult learning program includes Sunday Brunch/Lectures, Torah Study with the Rabbi, A Book Club, and Adult Hebrew Classes. An Adult Education Institute was begun in the spring of 2001.

Chairperson: Janice Hoff
Members: Sandi and Lee Bassow, Deborah Eisenberg, Bette Glickman, Michelle Hurovitz, Judy Kulick, Wallace Cohen

Description of Activities

Life Long Learning at Congregation Kol Haverim offers a wide variety of opportunities for adults. The committee consists of eleven active members who plan many exciting events.

Our programs and activities consist of Adult Hebrew lessons offered for a nominal fee during two semesters per year, a Book Club which meets in member's homes. At least 5 books are discussed throughout the year. Torah Study has been held during the first Sunday of certain months and is led by the Rabbi. Speaker/Brunches have been offered on a regular basis also on Sunday mornings. Kol Haverim has hosted college professors, Holocaust survivors, Israeli emissaries, A.D.L. representatives, and Scholars-in-Residence from the Hartford Seminary and the Greenberg Center, University of Hartford, to name a few. Free baby-sitting is also offered.

Also, adult lay persons have been offering Sunday morning Hebrew lessons for parents of students in the Hebrew School. In addition, adult members of the congregation have been leading discussions after services on Yom Kippur.

Collaborative efforts with the Hebrew School, Sisterhood and Brotherhood have also been a focus of the Adult Education Committee. Fourth grade students have participated in the annual Israel Independence Day and Adult Education Oneg Shabbat by creating posters and giving presentations to the congregation about the study of Israel. Adults provide "tastes" of the Middle East at that oneg. A college freshman presented a talk on her Birthright to Israel opportunity during this event in 2001.

Another important collaborative effort has been the Distinguished Author Series at Kol Haverim. We have hosted such authors as Anne Roiphe, Harold Kushner, Anita Diamant, Lawrence Kushner, Leonard Fein, and Daniel Asa Rose. The Brotherhood and Sisterhood assisted with these events.

A combined Sisterhood and Adult Learning annual Women's Seder has included three generations : grandparents, parents, and young adult women. Our Nursery and Kindergarten students provide handmade matza covers, Miriam's cups, and centerpieces for the event. The year 2002 will be our 8th Women's Seder. A First Edition Passover Cookbook will be available February 2002.

In addition, a Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) group meets monthly in member's homes to celebrate the new moon with discussions, readings, films, etc. It is another collaboration with Sisterhood.

Also, Adult Learning opportunities have been available through Kol Haverim's connection to the Greater Hartford community. Kol Haverim has been a sponsoring synagogue in the Annual Book Festival , the Annual Film Festival, at the Jewish Community Center in West Hartford, and at the Annual Teach-In at Beth El Temple. Adult members have attended the Annual Solidarity Shabbat at Temple Beth Israel in West Hartford. Also, our synagogue has presented many honorees to the Annual East of the River Israel Bonds reception held in November.