Adult Education

     Rabbi Chayva's "Praylist"

At the beginning of each month, Rabbi Chayva makes a little playlist, a praylist, of mostly new Jewish music. You can listen throughout Shabbat and/or anytime to bring the joy of Jewish music to everyday life. Some of these melodies may oneday be incorporated into services. All praylists can be found here.

     Rosh Chodesh New Month Learning

The Women of Am Tikvah gather monthly from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Fireside Room (and it is also available on Zoom) to learn together with Rabbi Chayva. Rosh Chodesh, meaning the beginning of the month, is a traditional opportunity for Women to spend time together and celebrate.  Catch up on previous learning sessions here.

     Mimosas, Munchies, and Media:
     A conversation with author,
     Jonathan Branfman

A small group gathered in November of 2024 in a semicircle around Rabbi Chayva and author, Jon Branfman. He arrived joyfully on time and enthusiastic to tell us about the research that culminated in his new book, Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity, and White Supremacy. What a lot to unpack!

He spoke in his quick East Coast vernacular in conversation with Rabbi Chayva. She asked, "What makes millennial Jewish performers different from earlier stars like Jerry Seinfeld or Fran Drescher?" He explained that today they play up their Jewish lived experience and speak explicitly about it in their work onscreen. While we Jews understood the implicit Jewishness of The Nanny and Seinfeld characters, they never came out and stated explicit experiences of Jewish life like sitting shiva, observing Shabbat, and managing antisemitism. Stars like Drake, rapper Lil Dicky, actor Ilana Glazer, and actor Seth Rogan directly address experienced antisemitism and stereotypes on screen. For example, Glazer and her costar, Abbi Jacobson, confront a centuries-old steretype of the Jewess. You can still purchase a new copy of his book through Am Tikvah.