Your Jewish home west of Toronto is also a great place to get a Jewish education. Our Hebrew school, Bet Sefer Solel is an innovative and widely recognized school for kids from JK all the way up through Bar/Bat Mitzvah and on through Grade 10.

Hebrew School

Bet Sefer Solel our Hebrew school for kids is innovative and renowned. Parents, grand parents and older siblings teach our classes in Hebrew language and Judaica. We start with kids Junior Kindergarten age and teach up through Bar/Bat Mitzvah age, all the way to Grade 10 (Kallah).

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation

Preparing for ritual adulthood in the Jewish community is an important, fulfilling and sometimes a daunting task. Each Bet Sefer Solel student preparing for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah works with a tutor who is an expert in chanting Torah trope. Students also spend time with our Rabbi to ensure that their experience is meaningful and joyous. By their Bar or Bat Mitzvah day, our students are able to lead the service with the Rabbi, to give their D’var Torah and to confirm their pride in their Jewish identity.

We have helpful resources for Bet Sefer Solel students studying for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Confirmation Class (Kallah)

Most of the kids who attend Bet Sefer Solel and have their Bar or Bat Mitzvah with us stay with us for our Kallah program, which goes until Grade 10. The Kallah program gives young people a chance to grow in their Judaism and to explore deeper and more complicated issues with their peers and with experienced adults, including our Rabbi. Grade 9 and 10 students volunteer in Bet Sefer Solel to help younger students with their Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies or act as peer teachers.

The Kallah program is a way to explore the importance of Jewish faith, values and precepts in the everyday, modern lives of young adults. Highlights of the Grade 10 (Kallah) year include a retreat at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati and a graduation service, led by the Kallah class themselves.

Adult Education

There are many, many opportunities for lifelong Jewish learning at Solel. Throughout the year you can join with other curious adults and partake in:

• Adult Text Study with Rabbi Pollack
• Bet Midrash Solel with Rabbi Emeritus Larry Englander
• Hebrew for adults
• Lunch & Learn
• Movie & discussion nights
• Arliene’s Book Club
• Doing Jewish with Director of Education, Arliene Botnick
• Tallit Making Workshop with Miriam Schoeman

Adult Text Study with Rabbi Pollack
Unlock the Wisdom of Jewish Tradition: Reading Reform Responsa
Dive into the rich tapestry of Jewish thought as we explore how Reform rabbis interpret ancient texts to address contemporary challenges. Whether you’re a lifelong learner or new to Jewish studies, this course offers a unique opportunity to connect with timeless wisdom and modern insights. Join us to deepen your understanding and engage in meaningful discussions about faith, tradition, and today’s pressing issues.

We will explore a variety of fascinating topics, including:

1. Introduction to Responsa Literature: Understanding the historical and cultural context of responsa in Jewish tradition.
2. Key Reform Responsa: Examining significant responsa from Reform rabbis and their impact on Jewish law and practice.
3. Contemporary Issues: Analyzing how modern Reform responsa address current social, ethical, and religious challenges.
4. Methodologies of Interpretation: Learning the techniques and principles used by Reform rabbis to interpret and apply Jewish law.
5. Case Studies: In-depth discussions of specific responsa related to topics suggested by you. Possible topics may include gender equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and environmental ethics. What contemporary issues are you particularly interested in?
6. Comparative Perspectives: Comparing Reform responsa with those from other Jewish denominations to understand different approaches to similar issues.
7. Practical Applications: Discussing how the insights gained from responsa can be applied to personal and communal life today.

Dates include:

• 29 September, 2024
• 6 October, 2024
• 20 October, 2024
• 27 October, 2024
• 8 December, 2024
• 15 December, 2024

Rabbi Mark Washofsky’s insightful new book Reading Reform Responsa: Jewish Tradition, Reform Rabbis, and Todays Issues will serve as our primary guide and initial reference point.

This course takes place at Solel. Participants can also join by Zoom.

Bet Midrash Solel with Rabbi Emeritus Larry Englander
Religious Zionism: From Moderate to Messianic
The pioneers who founded the State of Israel were primarily secular. Yet early on, religious thinkers began to incorporate spiritual Jewish teachings into the Zionist movement. After the Six Day War in 1967, the particular blend of nationalism, mysticism and messianism became the dominant ideology of Israel’s religious right.

Yet there is also a liberal expression of religious Zionism, championed by our Reform movement. Through texts, music and video presentations, this course will explore the teachings and activities of religious Zionism, on the right and the left, both in Israel and in the Diaspora.

Among other things we will explore:

• What are the main tenets of Zionism?
• What has changed since October 7, 2023?
• Can we develop a “platform” for Progressive Religious Zionism?

The dates for this course will be:

• 3 November, 2024
• 10 November, 2024
• 17 November, 2024
• 24 November, 2024
• 1 December, 2024

This course takes place at Solel. Participants can also join by Zoom, but some activities can only be shared by in-person participants.

Doing Jewish
This fascinating course is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about Judaism; led by our Director of Education, Arliene Botnick. Meeting the following Wednesdays in October and in May, 2024 at Solel. A number of handouts for various topics will be provided. You may also wish to purchase these optional texts: Living a Jewish Life (Diamond & Cooper) and The Jewish Home (Syme). Each week’s study is independent and you can come for any or all of the sessions.

Dates and topics include:
– 11 October, 2023: Our Calendar and High Holidays
– 18 October, 2023: Our Texts: Torah, Mishnah, Gemara, Talmud and Midrash
– 25 October, 2023: Jewish Lifecycles: Birth to Marriage
– 8 May, 2024: The Hows and Whys of the Shalosh Regalim (Three Pilgrimage Festivals)
– 29 May, 2024: Shabbat and Service Choreography
– 5 June, 2024: The “Yom” Occasions as well as a brief discussion of death and mourning

Please contact the Solel office to register. No cost for Solel members, non-members very welcome, $10 per session per person.

Doing Jewish will return in late 2024 / early 2025. Dates and topics will be announced.

Tallit Making Workshop
Join Solel’s Miriam Schoeman for a multi-week step by step course that will guide you through the process of designing and making your own Tallit.

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For details of the schedule of adult education opportunities, check our events and calendar pages.

Jewish Information Class (JIC)

Do you, or do you have a partner who wants more information about Judaism, perhaps with the intention of converting? Over the course of 30 weeks, the JIC class meets and we study together a wide range of topics that cover our history, our holidays, customs, symbols and life cycle events and beginning Hebrew. The JIC is great for anyone who wants to know more about Judaism, whether you’re Jewish or perhaps thinking about becoming Jewish. If you’d like to know more about the JIC, please call Arliene or the Rabbi at Solel.