The J's Adult Learning Institute (ALI)
ALI is the J’s adult lifelong learning center. Its mission is to provide intellectually stimulating, enjoyable, and engaging opportunities to expand your mind and your knowledge with other adults of all backgrounds and ages.
Contact: Shari Berman, 703.537.3068, Marcia Gordon, 703.537.3066
ALI Winter–Spring 2020 Course Schedule
Registration Open Now!
We are pleased to announce our Winter–Spring 2020 line-up of classes! Please take a moment to review the schedule below and sign up for one or more of these fabulous opportunities to continue your lifelong learning with us! Please note that all courses will be held at the Pozez JCC unless indicated otherwise.
- ALI-Temple Rodef Shalom Partnership
As part of our exciting partnership with Temple Rodef Shalom (TRS), we try to offer a course each semester on its Falls Church campus. - Lunch
Please feel free to bring a dairy or parve/meatless lunch to any class. Coffee/tea will be served at all classes. - How to Register
You must be a member or have a J-Pass to participate in ALI classes held at the J.
- Submit completed registration form and payment to the J’s Guest Services desk;
- Mail completed registration form with payment, payable to “Pozez JCC,” to 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031;
- Call the J’s Registrar at 703.537.3043 and be prepared to give a credit card number to secure your place in the course;
- Register online by searching the class code.
Courses
Bucharest Diary: Romania’s Journey from Darkness to Light
Monday, March 30, 12:30pm-2pm
Presented by Ambassador Alfred H. Moses, author
Alfred H. Moses served as the U.S. ambassador to Romania from 1994-1997. In his memoir, Ambassador Moses explains the complicated history of the Balkans with a brief tutorial on the development of Romania, including the fate of its Jews as borders and alliances changed. Bucharest Diary: An American Ambassador’s Journey is filled with intriguing accounts and anecdotes of the diplomacy that helped Romania recover from decades of communist rule and become a member of NATO and the E.U. Books will be available for purchase and signed at this event.
Fee: $14
Code: #10528
Presented in partnership with the Jewish Book Council
Pre-Civil War Politics: Why did it happen? (CANCELLED)
Tuesday, March 31, 10:30am–12:30pm
Instructor: Christopher Pugsley, attorney and historian
Most people study the Civil War by looking at the battles and politics of the time. A better approach might be to ask… why did the Civil War happen and why were the Confederate States so intent on leaving the Union? These questions can be answered by going back to 1776 and the Declaration of Independence, to 1787 and the Constitution, and finally to the “band-aid style” fixes to the doctrine of slavery. Through this class, we will gain a better understanding of these factors and how this war could have been avoided.
Fee: $14
Code: #10529
The JFK Assassination: Myths & Facts
Mondays, April 6, 13 (2 weeks)
12:30pm–2pm
Instructor: Donald Jeffries, author and researcher
There has been great mystery surrounding and attention given to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Don Jeffries analyzes this seminal event for us. The official story will be scrutinized as well as the evidence of conspiracy. Come learn about the myths and disinformation surrounding the assassination of the 35th U.S. president and discover how it impacted the decades that followed, its connection to other important events, and why it remains a significant issue in today’s political world.
Fee: $30
Code: #10530
The Prophetic Messianic Expectation
Tuesdays, April 28, May 5, 12, 19 (4 weeks)
12:30pm–2pm
Instructor: John Rybicki, biblical scholar and historian
In the writings of the Hebrew prophets, there is a promise of a messianic period when Israel will be restored to its glory… the light of the world leading all nations and people to the One True G-d. Is this expectation meant to be understood as an earthly or apocalyptic kingdom, to be established spiritually at the end of time? Within this course we will examine these writings and interpretations of them, in an attempt to understand the meaning of the messianic promise.
Fee: $56
Code: #10532
Two-Part Art: Art Appreciation 101 and Gouache Painting
Mondays, May 4, 11 (2 weeks), 10:30am–12:30pm
Location: The J’s Smith-Kogod Cultural Arts Center (check-in at the J’s Guest Services Desk in the main building first)
Instructor: Len Garon, artist
Len Garon will explain how the Old Masters used a “Secret Alphabet of Design” to compose their creations. Knowing this will help you appreciate the artist’s decision-making process in the pieces that you view. Len will demonstrate these principles at the end of the first session. In session two, Len will review the alphabet so you can apply these ABCs to your own painting of a landscape; you may incorporate animals/people. Please bring a favorite photo/picture to paint with gouache-opaque watercolor (handles like oil) onto a small canvas. Limited to 18 students.
Fee: $36/Course; Individual Sessions -- $15/1st session only, $25/2nd session only (includes art supplies)
Code: #10533
Beyond Vital Records – Additional Sources to Trace Eastern European Ancestry
Sunday, May 17; 1pm-2:30pm
Presented by Lara Diamond, President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Maryland and blogger
European borders were fluid so one family’s records may be in many languages and multiple archives. This talk examines one family that lived in the area spanning the Ukraine/Romanian border but which has been Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Soviet Union, and Ukraine. Multiple record sources were used to reconstruct this family.
Fee: Free to all
RSVP: Shari.Berman@theJ.org, 703.537.3068 or John Turbyfill, jturbyfill1776@gmail.com
This program is in collaboration with Fairfax Genealogical Society
Language Classes and Game Lessons
A minimum of 4 students is required for all language classes and game lessons. Contact Shari if you are interested.
Hebrew
Instructor: Einat Cohen
Private and semi-private lessons at all levels are available. Conversational classes need a minimum of 4 registered students. Contact Shari for more information or to express interest in taking a Hebrew class.
Fee: $50/hour private
$40/hour per person semi-private
Code: #800
