JCSS Adult Programs, Shabbat Programs, and Other Adult Learning

As part of Or Emet’s Jewish Cultural Sunday School, we offer an adult program while the children are in classes. For Shabbat services, Rabbi Eva Cohen officiates a Humanistic service and then a speaker or performer presents a program.

The topics are always interesting. Recent subjects and speakers/performers have included:

  • “A Jewish History of Aberdeen, South Dakota”
  • Minnesota state Rep. Mike Freiberg, chair of the Minnesota State Legislature’s Secular Government Caucus, discussing the caucus’ work to maintain the separation of church and state
  • Immigration attorney Steven Thal presenting on “Trump 2.0: Are We Still a Nation of Immigrants?”, analyzing recent changes in immigration policy under the Trump administration and their effect on immigrants and the community
  • An Or Emet member speaking about “The Fight for Social Justice: Growing Up As a Secular Jew in Argentina”
  • “Yiddish Shabbes” featuring a performance by Di Bayke Klezmer Band and space for dancing
  • A group discussion about teaching the Torah and larger Hebrew Bible humanistically to our children

Adult B Mitzvah

Rabbi Eva Cohen teaches both the youth and adult B Mitzvah Program classes. For the adults, the program is a series of monthly classes over the course of a year. Rabbi Eva then works with each student to design and complete a self-chosen project that is presented to the congregation much like the 12- and 13-year-old youth do! Most graduates choose to host a service and party for the congregation and their friends and relatives.

Class topics have included:

  • B Mitzvah Basics,
  • History of Judaism,
  • History and Philosophy of Secular Humanistic Judaism,
  • Biblical and Rabbinic Texts through a Critical, Academic Lens,
  • Deepening Understanding of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict,
  • Traditional Reading Practices, Contemporary Critical Reading, and Reclaiming the Text and/or Finding our own Sacred Texts as Humanistic Jews!

Humanistic Jewish Adoption

Adopting a Humanistic Jewish identity can also involve an adult learning process. For more information on Humanistic Jewish adoption, visit our Life Cycle Ceremonies page.

Intro to Judaism Through a Humanistic Lens

Taught by Rabbi Eva Cohen as a three-part class in most program years:

Interested in Joining Or Emet? New to Judaism? Want to learn more about being, or becoming Jewish? This is the course for you! Join us for a FREE three-session course in which we will cover Jewish history, culture,
food, tradition, and so much more!

  • Class 1: Philosophy, History and Shabbat
  • Class 2: Jewish Holidays and Culture
  • Class 3: Life Cycle Rituals and Big Questions
Membership Info

New Members Brunch

Hosted by Rabbi Eva and the Welcome Committee, we invite all new, new-ish and potential members to join us for bagels and an introductory program. Topics include an introduction to Humanistic Judaism, who we are, our history, our beliefs and practices, how we fit into the wider practice of Judaism, how our congregation works and opportunities to be more deeply involved.