The lifelong learning program offers more than 175 non-credit courses, workshops,
and events for adults November through April.
(October 21, 2021) Registration is now open for the fall term at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, which runs November 3-December 23. Throughout the year, more than 175 classes and workshops cover a rich diversity of topics, including art, music, literature and film appreciation, health and wellbeing, theology, philosophy, cooking and travel. Special programs and events include birding, nature walks, concerts, meditation, yoga, book groups and more. Classes are offered in-person on the Temple Beth Israel campus and online via the Zoom platform. Proof of recent negative COVID test or voluntary proof of vaccination and masks are required for in-person programs. Class sizes are limited to enable social distancing. To register for classes and lectures, visit www.tbi-lbk.org or call 941-383-8222 or email educationcenter@tbi-lbk.org. Temple Beth Israel is located at 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key.
Susan Goldfarb, the program director at Temple Beth Israel, previously served as the executive director of the Longboat Key Education Center which was located at The Centre Shops. She explains that the popular center, which had existed for 35 years, officially dissolved in June 2021 due to financial distress brought on by the pandemic.
“My students, staff and I are extremely grateful to Isaac Azerad, executive director of Temple Beth Israel, who had the vision to offer this opportunity to us and to the community. His big picture reimagining of Temple Beth Israel included a state-of-the-art education center that keeps the arts, culture, education, and recreation alive and thriving on Longboat Key. It’s a win-win for absolutely everyone.”
Goldfarb says the new education center offers many of the same programs she created for the Longboat Key Education Center, along with exciting new ones.
“The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel will strive to provide stimulating and diverse programs that keep the mind and body active and the spirit young, while providing a beautiful facility to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals says Goldfarb. “Lifelong learning is the key to staying vibrant and engaged in our family life, friendships, communities, and the world.”
Both Goldfarb and Azerad emphasize that the Education Center will remain a non-denominational organization and will feature approximately 175 offerings throughout the season, which runs from November through April.
“We’re using the slogan Susan created for the former Longboat Key Education Center, ‘Like College Only Better!’” says Azerad. “It is a great slogan. We’re thrilled she’s leading this effort and grateful for the continued support and loyalty of people who want to sustain the legacy of the Longboat Key Education Center by becoming members of the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel. Likewise, many TBI members have generously donated additional membership upgrades to support the education center.”
Highlights of the Fall Term include:
Monday Film Club: Enjoy Two Great Hidden Gems with Gus Mollasis. View a full-length movie followed by a stimulating discussion with popular movie critic Gus Mollasis. He has an impressive repertoire of hidden gems; quality films that you probably have never heard of, much less seen. Freshly popped popcorn always adds to the movie watching experience.
The Glory That Was Greece with Baila Miller. This fascinating survey course, with stunning visuals, will make it clear how the Greek world became the cradle of Western civilization. You will see how this ancient civilization emerged and how it spread its ideas throughout the world.
Watercolor, Acrylic, Pastels, Oils with Renee DiNapoli. Learn to paint like the masters in your medium of choice with simple techniques. Depth and perspective, light and shadow will be covered with personal instruction and demonstrations. Both seasoned artists and novices will enjoy these classes.
Functional Fitness with Brandi Johnson. Move with improved ease, strength, and balance. This fitness course focuses on exercises and movement techniques that improve the way our muscles and joints function during everyday activities.
Saturday Fall Workshop: How to Deal with Loneliness. Loneliness, especially in the senior population, can impact physical and emotional health and wellbeing. This workshop has been created to give support, information, advice, and coping skills to people who are dealing with loneliness. The panel of presenters includes: Linda Albert, award-winning writer and communication and personal life coach with a master certification in neurolinguistics; Ruth Fishel, M.Ed., internationally known author, meditation teacher, retreat and workshop leader; Cheryl Hamlin, LCSW,CDP, director of Senior Services at JFCS; Rev. David J. Marshall, MIDV, published author on spirituality and daily living, and rector of All Angels Episcopal Church on Longboat Key; Dilip Mathur, Hindu spiritual leader and speaker on wisdom and happiness; Rabbi Dr. Goldie Milgram, MSW, award-winning author, and innovator in the field of experiential, spiritual, and bioethics education; Rabbi Stephen L. Sniderman, DD, who received his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College and is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Israel; LB Wish, MA, MSS, Ed.D, nationally honored licensed psychotherapist, clinical social worker, self-help author and vice president of Gulfcoast Healthstyle.
Saturday Fall Workshop: Origami Delight! with Kuniko Yamamoto. Experience the joy of paper folding as you learn how to create elegant paper sculptures. This hands-on workshop is open to all levels offering a variety of origami models to fold, from easy to advanced designs.
Highlights of the Winter Term include:
(January 3-February 28, 2022)
The World’s Greatest Short Stories with Edward J. Dwyer, Ph.D. This course focuses on the greatest short stores ever written, including works by Edgar Allan Poe, Kurt Vonnegut, T.C. Boyle, and Ursula Le Guin.
America In Peril withRobert Gary. This series examines the growing threat to democracy from armed militias, white supremacy, and the proliferation of conspiracy theories to the impact of the media on the polarization of Americans.
Guided Autobiography with Melissa Kotler Schwartz. Your stories are the fabric of your life. This course helps individuals organize their life stories with themes and priming questions that evoke memories of events once known but filed away and seemingly forgotten.
Let’s Go Birding! with Kathy Doddridge. Learn how to identify regional birds in their natural habitats. The first meeting is at the school and covers birding basics. Over the next three weeks students will continue learning about birds while in the field.
Ballet Superstars — From the Past to the Present with Robert de Warren. In this two-part series Robert de Warren traces the roots of classical ballet, starting with the Italian courts in the 15th and 16th centuries and then moving to the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
Explore The Fascinating World Of Islamic Art with Jean Joseph Renoux. Explore the difference between Western art and Islamic art, which spans 1,400 years, covers many lands and populations, was created by both Muslims and non-Muslims, religious and secular, and includes a range of artistic fields, including architecture, calligraphy, painting, glass, ceramics, and textiles among others.
About the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel
The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel provides enrichment programming and lifelong learning for all adult regardless of residence or educational background. A desire to continue learning is the only prerequisite.