Birth is a Beginning and Death a Destination: A three-week course on Jewish practices around end of life, burial and family memory. 

Wednesdays, November 18, 25; December 2 from 12 – 1pm via Zoom. December 6 is an optional in person tour. 

Free and open to the community. Registration required.  
REGISTER HERE

The first two sessions will be taught by Rabbi Jonathan Singer; the last class and tour will be led by cemetery enthusiast and Emanu-El congregant, Judi Leff.  Join Rabbi Jonathan for a two-part class to talk about end of life ritual and spiritual approaches that are foundational to how Jews support each other during this difficult yet holy time. He will walk participants through the choices to be made around burial, cremation, mourning practices; the role of children and grandchildren, and different spiritual responses to how mourning can be a powerful life affirming process. All questions will be welcomed as we sometimes hesitate to really talk about what, is indeed, an essential subject.  

The final class, led by Judi Leff, will be a deep dive into our historic cemetery, the foundational people buried there, and new burial debates. Those who choose can participate in a COVID-safe in-person tour of our historic Home of Peace cemetery on Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 pm.  

Lectures

Our lectures feature outstanding speakers who will engage in intriguing and thought-provoking conversations about contemporary topics vital to our community and to our lives. Please visit our Lectures page. 

At Emanu-El, we are an active community of lifelong Jewish learners – in the endless pursuit of spiritual growth and exploration. As Jews, we are compelled to question and debate. These conversations energize us as we gain new perspectives and challenge our own long-held beliefs. Our shared desire for knowledge and for community enriches us as individuals and bonds us as a congregation. Emanu-El thrives when we are learning together. We hope that you will find time on your calendar and in your mind to join us on a thought-provoking and powerful Jewish journey.

To inquire about adult education, please contact Ariana Estoque, Director of Member Experience, at (415) 750-7552 or [email protected]