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
Join us every Tuesday at 10:30 am for a weekly presentation on various topics including arts, culture, history, religion, current events and more. Cost: $5 members and $10 non-members. Drop in. No registration required.
Aug 11
Armchair Traveller—Florence-Part 1
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of Renaissance. Florence is renowned for being an open-air museum of art, architecture, and history. Famous for the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, and Uffizi Gallery masterpieces, it offers unparalleled cultural experiences.
Rachel Levin, Art Educator
Aug 18
Empowering the Silent to Join in
As he reflects on rights-based social action and on freedom and equity, particularly for the marginalized in our society, join this special talk about the history of the Reena Foundation and learn some of the key efforts that Reena is working on and the challenges of inclusion when the competing values of care and risk collide
Bryan Keshen, CEO Reena
Aug 25
Armchair Traveller-Florence-Part 2
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of Renaissance. Florence is renowned for being an open-air museum of art, architecture, and history. Famous for the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, and Uffizi Gallery masterpieces, it offers unparalleled cultural experiences.
Rachel Levin, Art Educator
Sept 1
Armchair Traveller-Florence-Part 3
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of Renaissance. Florence is renowned for being an open-air museum of art, architecture, and history. Famous for the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, and Uffizi Gallery masterpieces, it offers unparalleled cultural experiences.
Rachel Levin, Art Educator
Tuesday, September 8
The High Holidays—Light & Wise Insights
Join us for this FREE onscreen program about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which will include some moments in film inspired by the high holidays and teachings inspired by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l, Rachel Goldberg-Polin and others.
Tuesday, September 15
Between the Crown and the Commons: A Thousand Years of British Jewry
Learn the history of the Jewish people in Britain which is a remarkable narrative of arrival, survival, expulsion, return and
resurgence that spans nearly a millennium. Today, the British Jewish community stands as a testament to a complex journey from medieval exclusion to modern British identity.
Arnold Gilis, Presenter
Sept 22
Hollywood Collects Art
Celebrities are known for their extravagant lifestyles and impressive collections; from luxury cars and designer clothing to lavish homes and exotic vacations. More recently, the collection of art has become obscenely popular.
Rachel Levin, Art Educator
Sept 29
100+ Years of Toronto
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
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.
Adventures in Neuroscience
In this exciting new course we learn about the human brain and nervous system and how to optimize mental health. Did you know that social media of all types can cause changes in brain function? Did you know that we have a second “brain” in the digestive system with over 50 transmitters? Did you know that when we distrust others, our brain changes its shape and wiring on a microscopic level? What is the cause of addiction? Can you improve memory or prevent Alzheimers? We will spend 2 months together this Summer learning all about the human nervous system and ultimately, ourselves.
David Chandross, PhD.
July 6-Aug 31 (no class on Aug 3)
1:30 pm -3 pm (8 weeks)
$80 members ($12 drop-in per class)
$160 non-members ($24 drop-in per class)
Parsha Ha Shavuah: Weekly Torah Portion
Discuss messages in the parshiyot and stories in the Tanach.
Facilitator: Lillian Benlolo, Bible Study Teacher
Wednesday, July 8 – September 30
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Free – members only
Rav Shaanan Scherer, a Tanach and Jewish History at CHAT and a fully licensed tour guide for Israel and Ontario will be returning to the Bernard Betel Center for two series this Fall.
- 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. Fridays October 9, 13, 23 and 30
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm - 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. Fridays November 6,13,20,27, December 4 and 11
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm