“The Workmen's Circle is my Jewish community because it allows me to express all the different aspects of my Jewish identity in one place. It’s where I act for change while being part of a larger, inter-generational community.”
Adult Education Courses
Our adult education programming is geared toward exploring the meaning of Jewish history, ritual, and thought from a secular perspective. Courses are taught by highly qualified and stimulating guest instructors.
There are usually two courses each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The number of sessions ranges from four to six, and tuition varies. Pre-registration is required.
Whether you are Jewish or non-Jewish, and whatever your level of Jewish knowledge, we invite you to learn, question, and challenge your thinking.
Fall 2019 Adult Education Courses
Lomir Tantsn/Let's Dance: Introduction to Yiddish Folk Dance
Thurs. evenings, 7:00-9:00pm // Nov. 7 - Dec. 15 (5 sessions) @ BWC
Co-created with internationally-acclaimed Yiddish dance teacher, Avia Moore, this mini-series will teach us the basics of Yiddish folk dance. As beautiful as they are fun, these are dances that everyone can enjoy together. They are a living tradition that balance individual expression and community spirit. From the simple freylekh, which means joyful, to the broyges tantz, a traditional wedding dance of “anger and reconciliation” between new mother-in-laws, we’ll learn about the cultural and historical context of these dances and get to experience them in our bodies. Class will culminate in our annual khanike celebration, with a dance party on Dec. 15th. This class is open to anyone interested, no matter your dancing experience or ability. Cost should never be a barrier to accessing our programs so feel free to pay what you can. Email maddy@circleboston.org with questions. Our line-up of world-renowned dance teachers & klezmer musicians is unbeatable. Read through their bios here.
Introduction to Sephardic History, Culture & Language
Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00pm // Nov. 6-Dec.18 (5 Sessions) @ BWC
In this course, participants will learn about the rich culture and history of Sephardic Jews. Participants will begin each session by watching a pre-recorded lecture by Professor Devin Naar from his series titled,"The Rise and Fall of Ladino Speaking Jews." After the lecture, a group of Sephardic BWC community leaders will facilitate a group discussion and, bringing in their own family experiences, will explore: the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry, the Inquisition, and Expulsion; the Ladino language and its role in Sephardic history; and learn about modern-day Sephardim in the diaspora. Cost should never be a barrier to accessing our programs so feel free to pay what you can. Email maddy@circleboston.org with questions.
Past courses include:
- Israel-Palestine: Why the Peace Process Failed and What to Do About It
- Jewish Identity & Racial Justice
In the Middle: Race, Justice, and Ashkenazim
- Secular Talmud
- Blacks and Jews: Affinities, Departures and the Interweaving of Identities
- The Secular Talmud Part I
- Ashkenazi Identity and White Jews Working Against Racism
- Interpreting Jewish History
- Exploring Jewish Identity: History and Traditions of Mizrachi, Sephardi, and Ashkenazi Cultures
- U.S. Labor Post-WWII: From Reds Under the Bed to the War on Public Sector Workers
- History of the Jewish Left
- Jewish Literacy 101
- Zionism and the Roads not Taken
- Islam 101
- From Religion to Nation: The Evolution of Modern Jewish Identity
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