October 1, 2026 -

Machar

Adult Education

Adult education meets each Sunday morning the Collaborative Jewish Sunday School is in session, usually weekly each month, from September through May.  We engage in lifelong learning as we listen to our fellow members and guest speakers on a variety of topics centered around themes of Judaism, Humanism, and other social, humanitarian, or personal issues.  There is always plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Adult Education Program Objectives

  1. Help Machar members to increase their access to the best of Jewish and Secular Humanist perspectives and practices;
  2. Complement Machar’s educational programs for children and teens, Shabbat and holiday programs, community service, social action, and other activities;
  3. Tap into the vast array of skills and talents of the members of our congregation;
  4. Reflect the diversity of interests and backgrounds of the members of Machar;
  5. Incorporate principles and practices of effective adult education;
  6. Contribute to strengthening the sense of community within Machar;
  7.  Introduce Machar to a wider audience.

Adult Education Sessions

  • October 4, 2026 – Rabbi Jeremy, Rabbi Debbie and Rabbi Ariel will welcome us all back and lead our first session. There are many traditional themes of the High Holy Days: creation of the world, life and death, reflecting on our past year and apologizing for our mistakes, and “returning” to the best versions of ourselves. There are also the themes we bring to the holidays each year as we merge tradition with current events, the state of the world, and our personal lives. The three rabbis will come together to share what they talked about these High Holy Days. After a short presentation from the rabbis, there will be plenty of time for Q&A and discussion reflecting on what was shared.
  • October 11, 2026 – Bring your own (Jewish) book club! Do you have a favorite Jewish themed (character, topic, story, experience, character, etc) book you would love to talk about? This can be an oldie or a current read. We’ll spend the morning in small groups discussing why your chosen book was meaningful to you and why you might (or might not!!) recommend it. At the end, we will have an amazing reading list to circulate.
  • October 18, 2026 – Elections Panel: Adav Noti (Kehila member), Eric Kashdan and Chris Warschaw (Machar members) discuss the upcoming election.
  • October 25, 2026 – Join Jonathan Edelman, Collections Curator, Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, for a behind the scenes look at what it takes to collect the history of the Greater Washington Jewish community. Hear stories of collecting artifacts from family photos to a 114 year piece of taxidermy, all related to Jewish Washington. He will use images from CJM’s collection to teach some of the history of our community, and be available for questions and discussion after the talk.
  • November 1, 2026 – Isaac Brosilow on The Chutzpah Collective: Formed in 1972 in Chicago, the Chutzpah Collective was a small but dynamic group of young leftists who sought to invigorate their Jewish identity. Examining the history of Chutzpah, as well as the constellation of groups it belonged to (sometimes referred to as the Jewish New Left) provides fresh insight for Jews of all ages and backgrounds navigating the political landscape of today. Isaac Brosilow is author of The Skokie March That Wasn’t (2017) which drew on research of The Chutzpah Collective to retell the story of the attempted Neo-Nazi march in Skokie, Illinois. He is also Jewish educator and lives and works in New York City.
  • November 8, 2026 – Presentation by Sheldon Lehner on Sammy Davis, Jr., one of Hollywood’s greatest entertainers. Starting at age 3, Davis excelled in singing, dancing, acting, and comedy. The program features video clips highlighting his remarkable career and impact on entertainment history. Sheldon will also provide historical context on Davis’s groundbreaking career and lasting cultural influence. Q&A included.
  • November 15, 2026 – Kehila: Russ Canan et al. “Challenging Cases: Judges Tell the Story of High-Profile and other Tough Cases” (New Press, 2026)

Adult Education Recordings

  • December 17, 2024 – In time for Hanukkah in 2024, Rabbi Jeremy asks — why is Hanukkah important for the history of Judaism and Christianity?
  • December 15, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Alan Dell — the former owner of the iconic Katz’s Deli in New York City
  • December 8, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Galia Steinbach — A story of humanity and courage, Bulgarian Jews in WWII
  • November 24, 2024 – Three Jewish Students Discuss Being Jewish on Campus Post October 7th
  • October 27, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Adav Noti and Eric Kashsan – The Election Panel and Voting Rights
  • September 29, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Avia Halevi – Talk about Yeminite Jews
  • September 22, 2024 – Rabbi Jeremy and Rabbi Cohen – Humanistic Jewish Approaches to Death and Dying
  • September 15, 2024 – 3 Rabbis – Rabbi Ariel Tovlev of Kehila Chadasha, Rabbi Jeremy Kridel of Machar and Rabbi Deborah Cohen of Beth Chai will be on a panel answering questions about their beliefs and approaches to Judaism.
  • May 12, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Michael Podhorzer – What’s Ahead for American Labor Activism?
  • May 19, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Maggie Paxson -Bomb Shelter Cafe
  • April 14, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Paul Golin – Jews for a Secular Democracy: Topics in 2024
  • February 25, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Mike Zamore – Fixing the Filibuster, Saving Democracy
  • February 11, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Howard Sumka – Israel-Palestine, An Update
  • December 17, 2024 – In time for Hanukkah in 2024, Rabbi Jeremy asks — why is Hanukkah important for the history of Judaism and Christianity?
  • December 15, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Alan Dell — the former owner of the iconic Katz’s Deli in New York City
  • December 8, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Galia Steinbach — A story of humanity and courage, Bulgarian Jews in WWII
  • November 24, 2024 – Three Jewish Students Discuss Being Jewish on Campus Post October 7th
  • October 27, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Adav Noti and Eric Kashsan – The Election Panel and Voting Rights
  • September 29, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Avia Halevi – Talk about Yeminite Jews
  • September 22, 2024 – Rabbi Jeremy and Rabbi Cohen – Humanistic Jewish Approaches to Death and Dying
  • September 15, 2024 – 3 Rabbis – Rabbi Ariel Tovlev of Kehila Chadasha, Rabbi Jeremy Kridel of Machar and Rabbi Deborah Cohen of Beth Chai will be on a panel answering questions about their beliefs and approaches to Judaism.
  • May 12, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Michael Podhorzer – What’s Ahead for American Labor Activism?
  • May 19, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Maggie Paxson -Bomb Shelter Cafe
  • April 14, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Paul Golin – Jews for a Secular Democracy: Topics in 2024
  • February 25, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Mike Zamore – Fixing the Filibuster, Saving Democracy
  • February 11, 2024 – Guest Speaker: Howard Sumka – Israel-Palestine, An Update