Join us for various weekly programs including discussion groups, workshops and presentations, led by experts in their field or university professors, about arts and culture, history, current events, religion, travel, and more.
For more details, please contact Sharon Chodirker at 416-225-2112, ext. 124 or sharonc@betelcentre.org.
Registration for classes is on a first-come-first-serve basis. To register for Lifelong Learning Courses (online and in person), call Reception at 416-225-2112 ext. 0 to register over the phone, or visit Reception during our hours of operation.
LIFELONG LEARNING PRESENTATIONS
DROP-IN PRESENTATIONS
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: $6 members and $12 non-members
100+ Years of Toronto
Tuesday, Sept 29
Discover the City of Toronto as we see how Toronto underwent massive, transformative improvements since the 1920’s. How did it evolve from a relatively quiet, industrial, “Anglo-Saxon” city into a top-tier, global metropolis known for its immense diversity and density. Learn about the many trials and tribulations it went through along the way culminating in the energy, disasters, fun, and enterprise that we enjoy today.
Jerry Willer, Betel Member and Presenter
Resilience in the Face of Antisemitism
Tuesday, Oct 6
Fern has been a registered nurse for 55 years. She brings her many years of clinical expertise to help support our community as we face widespread antisemitism and antizionism.
In this valuable presentation, Fern will review modalities to help us better deal with the anxiety that confronts us all. Fern Quint, Mental Health Nurse & Volunteer.
Celebrating Notable Canadian Jewish Musicians – Special Selections
Tuesday, Oct 13
Discover the stories behind many of Canada’s talented performers featured in David Eisenstadt’s unique books!
Author signed books will be available for sale. David Eisenstadt, Author.
The Yiddish Theatre-Part 1
Tuesday, Oct 20
Learn about the Yiddish Theatre’s beginnings in the 1870’s in Rumania to its “heyday” in America (including Montreal and Toronto) from the early 1900’s until the 1940’s.
Faye will speak about the plays, actors, composers, singers and memorable songs as well as the contribution that The Yiddish Theatre had on The Broadway Stage.
Faye Kellerstein, Singer & Lecturer.
The Yiddish Theatre-Part 2
Tuesday, Oct 27
A continuation of the Oct 20th presentation. Faye Kellerstein, Singer & Lecturer.
Who is the Person Behind the Portrait?
Tuesday, Nov 3
There are many great stories behind a portrait; an artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression are predominant.
Some of these stories can have an impact on us, and though they end up engraved into the portrait, the viewer is not fully aware of it until the story of the person in the portrait is told.
Rachel Levin, Art Educator
From Fugitive to Freedom
Tuesday, Nov. 10
During Holocaust Education Week, join Jack Boeki, Holocaust survivor/ liberator, at 102 years old as he shares the story of his new book.
Jack Boeki, Author
The Shalom Project
Tuesday Nov 17
Please join us for an overview of Israel’s history, the Jewish connection to the land, abandoned peace agreements, Arab rejectionism
and defensive wars, the meaning of Zionism, and Antisemitism/ AntiZionism.
This 60-minute presentation and discussion present facts, debunks lies, counters disinformation, and is intended
to arm people with information so they can confidently recognize Jew hatred and speak up.
Andrea Spindel, Executive Director, Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation (CAEF)
Not like in “War and Peace”- How Successful Peace Treaties Defined the World We Now Live In
Tuesday, November 24
Some treaties succeeded because they addressed root causes of conflict, involving broad diplomatic engagement.
This created the basis for long-term stability—principles still relevant in modern peacemaking.
Arnold Gilis, Historical Lecturer
Fashion as Surrealist Art: The Legacy of Elsa Schiaparelli
Tuesday, Dec 1
Elsa Schiaparelli was an Italian fashion designer from an aristocratic background. Schiaparelli famously collaborated with Salvador Dalí & Jean Cocteau.
Rachel Levin, Art Educator
Between Two Worlds
Tuesday, Dec 8
Join us to hear an important and timely true story of a young woman trying to live her life despite the realities of the regime in Iran.
Learn how the speaker lived between two worlds; inside her house in Iran living a normal life, and outside her home, where she had to dress,
behave and obey according to the strict Islamic laws.
Ava Muchnik, Financial Planner
Bringing Jews and Muslims Together at York University
Tuesday, December 15
Learn how the speaker is committed to bringing Jews, Muslims and others together to foster mutual respect and understanding, and
how he is putting this commitment to practice, through a course he teaches and a student dialogue group that he facilitates on campus.
Randall Schnoor, Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies / Humanities | York University
A Boy, His Dog and His Friends: Charlie Brown and the Peanuts’ Gang
Tuesday, Dec 22
Learn more about Charles Schulz and his captivating work with cartoons, characters and over 50 years of stories.
Andrew Lindsay, Circles Enrichment
LIFELONG LEARNING COURSES & OTHER PROGRAMS
Drop-ins for Lifelong Learning Courses are welcome! For more information, contact Sharon at sharonc@betelcentre.org or 416-225-2112, ext. 124.
The History of Toronto’s Jewish Community
Learn about the history, culture, politics, leadership, challenges and hear fascinating stories and interesting facts about one of the world’s largest Jewish communities that spans over 175 years. Instructor: Rav Shaanan Scherer
Friday, Oct 9 – Oct 30
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
4 weeks
$28 members ($10 drop-in per class) $56 non-members ($20 drop-in per class)
1000 years of Israel’s Jewish Kingdom in Ancient Times
Learn about the over 1000-year period from King Saul until the Second Temple Period in Jerusalem and Judea.
The course includes Biblical Archaeology, virtually touring relevant sites in Israel, learning from ancient texts through various mediums of film, artifacts, and primary and secondary sources. Instructor: Rav Shaanan Scherer
Friday, Nov 6 – Dec 11
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
6 weeks
$42 members ($10 drop-in per class) $84 non-members ($20 drop-in per class)
The Archaeology of Animals *This class will be held on Zoom*
Humans and animals have forever been intertwined. In this class, participants will learn about the roles played in the development of
complex societies by various animal species, the process of domestication, and the symbolic importance of animals in the ancient world.
Instructor: David R. Lipovitch, PhD
Wednesday, Oct. 21 – Dec 16
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
9 weeks
$99 members, $198 non-members
Fallen Empires – Lessons from history – Warnings for the future
This lecture series chronicles the rise and falls of historical empires juxtaposed on the state of the United States under the Trump administration.
History Does Not Repeat but it rhymes. The future is not written but understanding the past may protect the future.
Instructor: Amnon Zohar, Middle East & Global Affairs Specialist
Wednesday, Oct. 14 – Dec 9
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
8 weeks
$80 members ($12 drop-in per class) $160 non-members ($24 drop-in per class)
The Human Cell: Biochemistry for Fun and Fascination!
Welcome to the invisible world of the human cell. Did you know that we have 37 trillion cells? Come take a fascinating journey through the human body, seeing
it for the first time, as if you were shrunk to the size of a single molecule!
Instructor: David Chandross
Monday, Oct. 19 – Dec 7
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
8 weeks
$80 members ($12 drop-in per class) $160 non-members ($24 drop-in per class)