Overview | Beit Aharon: The Rabbi Arnold & Rae Goodman Learning Institute (est. 2002) makes it possible for every member of the Ahavath Achim community to travel his/her own path to Jewish learning. We offer a wide variety of programs (mostly free of charge) designed to serve the needs of beginning learners, advanced learners and everyone in between. Our scope includes the fundamental texts of Conservative Judaism, Jewish history, Zionism and Israel, religious beliefs, practices and rituals, Jewish philosophy, Hebrew language and all aspects of Jewish culture, including literature, music, art and drama.

Prime Time for Learning...

All programs @ AA 7:15PM - 9:00PM unless otherwise stated.
No cost; donations are always welcomed and appreciated.

Winter Term 2012

Mark your calendars to join us for these exciting Goodman Institute classes.  All Goodman Institute classes are free and open to the public so invite your family and friends to join you. 

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Jewish Short Stories for Jews Still Short On Time
January 24, February 7, 21, March 6 | Professor Andrew Zangwill returns with his popular class from last spring with more Jewish short stories.  Join us as we listen to an audio recording of a short story and share our insights with one another.  It's like being in a book club without having to read the book!  Authors this spring include Sholem Asch, Isaac Babel, Ida Fink, Saul Bellow, and E.L. Doctorow.

Enchanted Psalms
January 31, February 14, 28, March 13 | The Rabbis said, ‘Whoever recites Psalm 145 three times a day, will go to Heaven.”  Why this Psalm?  Are there other psalms that have certain powers when recited?  Come learn about several psalms that bring us closer to God and bestow upon us certain powers simply by reciting them.  We will look at the content, history, and spiritual meaning behind these psalms. Facilitated by Steve Grossman.

Is the Torah the Word of God or the Word of Man?
March 20, 27; April 3, 17 w/Dr. Steve Chervin | Using essays in the back of the Etz Hayim Humash, we will compare and contrast traditional methods of Bible study with modern methods and explore how the Conservative movement interprets the issues of whether the Torah was written by God or by (wo)man.

The Drs. William E. & Samuel J. Schatten Lecture

Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 7:15PM-9:00PM | Our Guest Lecturer, Deborah E. Lipstadt, Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies (1993), Tam Institute for Jewish Studies and the Department of Religion (Bio).

TOPIC: Playing the Blame Game: America and the Holocaust – A Matter of History or Contemporary Politics?

The American government and the American Jewish community during the 1930s and 1940s are criticized by many historians and communal leaders for their failure to respond to the persecution of European Jewry.  Many critics contend that had both governmental and Jewish leaders responded more forcefully countless Jewish lives could have been saved.  At the other end of the historiographical spectrum there are those who argue that every Jew who could have been saved was saved and the criticism is unfounded and unfair. Where does the truth lie?  Is it possible that this debate is really about something other than the American response to the Holocaust? Could it be related to contemporary issues of Jewish identity and political perspectives? Sponsored through the generosity of Mrs. Barbara Schatten. RSVP Requested ... click here

Scholar-in-Residence Weekend

Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13, 2012 w/Rabbi Arnold Goodman | Rabbi Goodman, our own Senior Rabbinic Scholar, will deliver the Shabbat morning sermon followed by a stimulating Post Kiddush Beit Midrash. Sunday morning will include a Mother's Day Brunch and a program to be announced.

Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity: Abraham Joshua Heschel

Tuesdays, May 15 and 22 w/Dr. Steve Chervin | Heschel was one of the greatest influences on the Conservative movement, as a scholar, activist, theologian, mystic, and ethicist. In this class we will read and discuss selections from his writings and explore their relevance for our lives today. We will explore Heschel's ideas on what it means to be a Jew, the spirit of Jewish prayer, the holy dimension, and others chosen by the class.

For information about learning, teaching, and sponsorship opportunities at The Goodman Institute, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 404.355.5222 ext. 222.