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Adult Education

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At Oheb, we encourage our members to be active participants in Judaism by providing engaging speakers, seminars and small-group programs that appeal across generations in different levels of learning.  The established objectives of the committee are to focus on a few primary initiatives from both a scholarly and experiential perspective as follows:

  • Israel / History of Zionism
  • Jewish Perspectives on Socio-Economic Topics of the Day
  • Denominational Judaism
  • Interfaith Studies

In addition, Oheb Shalom’s affiliation with the Jewish Theological Seminary  provides access to scholarly presentations (see below) that you can watch via Zoom and ask questions within a special Oheb group, or you can stream these lectures to watch at your convenience. 

Above: “The Power of Forgiveness” Slichot event featuring (L to R) Suzanne Ludlam, Morristown Church of Latter-Day Saints; Rabbi Abigail Treu; Fal Pandya, Namaste Global Foundation.; Dr. Mohammad Ali Chaudry, Islamic Society of Basking Ridge; Stephanie Abrahams, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ; and Reverend William D. Carter III, Franklin-St. John’s United Methodist Church,  Sep 2025.

Upcoming

Thu, Oct 2, 2:45-4:15 pm: “How Do We Stand Up for Justice in a Polarized Society?”
With Claudia E. Cohen, Bonnie Berman Cushing, and Robert A. Marchman
Oheb’s Social Justice Initiative was formed to “create programs to discuss systemic racism and unconscious bias, to become more aware of social justice issues, and to create opportunities for positive action.” This year, the values underlying that charter have come under attack. In their defense, the Committee’s annual Yom Kippur presentation is an attempt to constructively address issues of injustice and inequality despite current efforts to silence those who do not agree with it. We are honored to present three distinguished speakers, all of whom have had wide and deep experience working with people of diverse backgrounds to overcome bias to further sensitivity and fairness.

RSVP Here

Past presentations

The Power of Forgiveness (VIDEO) Slichot event featuring Suzanne Ludlam, Morristown Church of Latter-Day Saints; Rabbi Abigail Treu; Fal Pandya, Namaste Global Foundation.; Dr. Mohammad Ali Chaudry, Islamic Society of Basking Ridge; and Reverend William D. Carter III, Franklin-St. John’s United Methodist Church,  Sep 2025.
Welcoming the Stranger, with Mark Hetfield (HIAS) and Ralston Deffenbaugh (Global Refuge)
For Such a Time As This, with Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove*
Wrongful Imprisonment and The Innocence Project with Jule Hall and Shabaka Shakur
Judaism Is About Love, with Rabbi Shai Held*
Two Truths in One Heart, Two Peoples in One Land (VIDEO), with Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Noor A’wad of Roots
Refugee Shabbat, with KIND Newark’s Jacqueline Stabnow, Managing Director, and Lizbeth Veliz, Social Services Supervisor
Unraveling the Path to Reparations, with Jean-Pierre Brutus (NJ Institute for Social Justice) and Kelly Harris (Center for Africana Studies, UPenn)
Liberal Zionism for Conflicted Liberal Jews, with Yehuda Kurtzer, Shalom Hartman Institute*
How Can I Pray What I Don’t Believe, with Rabbi Elie Kaunfer*

*Rabbi Alexander M. Shapiro z”l Memorial Lecture & Breakfast