Jewish Life & Learning Programs
Curious about Judaism? Have you always had questions? At the J, we offer a friendly and engaging place where you can learn about Judaism! Individuals from all faith backgrounds are welcome.
CJLL Programs
Snack and Story with PJ Library
Children with their family and friends are invited for a monthly story hour and kid-friendly snack, presented by the Memphis Jewish Community Center in partnership with PJ Library of Memphis, a program of Memphis Jewish Federation.
Wed 4:30–5:15pm | 2/11 | FREE | Register
Wed 4:30–5:15pm | 3/18 | FREE | Register
Wed 4:30–5:15pm | 4/15 | FREE | Register
Wed 4:30–5:15pm | 5/13 | FREE | Register
Memphis Night of Jewish Learning
Please register by January 20.
Join us as we come together across the Jewish community to learn from Memphis Jewish community rabbis, leaders, and educators. Cost covers dinner and 1 drink ticket.
Participants will choose from a selection of speakers for each of two consecutive 45-minute session blocks. The third session block will be one-on-one “chavruta-style” learning and discussion on the topic of “Community & the Dignity of Difference” based on the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sachs.
Saturday, January 24 | $25 Community / $18 Member | Register
Doors open 7pm • Program 7:30pm
Rabbi Dr. Gavriel Brown (Margolin Hebrew Academy/Cooper Yeshiva of the South)
• "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told in the Talmud" - a study of Nedarim 50a and the story of Rabbi Akiva & his wife Rachel
Jason Caplan (The Bridge Institute Beit Abulafia)
• Beit Abulafia - The Torah sources of Melodic Hisbodedus - Learn how Music Deepens Our Personal Prayer
Rabbi Joel Finkelstein (Baron Hirsch Congregation)
• "The burden of the 613 commandants. Why is it so hard?"
Rabbi Ilai & Sarit Grunwald (Torah MiTzion Memphis)
• "Am Yisrael Chai - Where?"
Rabbi Cantor David Julian (Or Chadash Conservative Synagogue)
• "Music During Temple Times"
Rabbi Levi Klein (Chabad Lubavitch of TN)
• "Heaven, Hell or Reincarnation. What Happens When I Die?"
Rabbi Ross Levy (Temple Israel)
• "For the Sake of Heaven: How to Disagree Respectfully"
Rabbi Akiva Males (Young Israel of Memphis)
• “Operation Benjamin: Reclaiming the Fallen Jewish Soldiers of WWII”
Rabbi Yehoshua Nissan (Memphis Kollel)
• "A Hasidic Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"
Rabbi Sammy Rosenbaum (Beth Sholom Synagogue)
• Rabbi’s Tisch - Come sing the songs of Motzei Shabbat, hear stories, learn Torah, and have a L’chaim
Bluma Zuckerbrot-Finkelstein (Memphis Jewish Federation)
• “Silence as Strategy: Unpacking the Absence of God in the Esther Story”
Tu B’Shevat Art Contest: Grades K–4th
Submissions Due: Friday, January 23
Tu B’Shevat is a Jewish festival that marks the "New Year of the Trees" on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. We invite all students in Grades K–4th to submit a piece of artwork to display in the MJCC. Tu B’Shevat's ancient roots are as an agricultural marker for Israeli farmers; today the holiday is primarily observed as an environmental holiday focused on gratitude for nature and the responsibility to care for the Earth. The holiday often incorporates the "seven species" of plants native to the land of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.
Partners Memphis
Come for an evening of good food, compelling dialogue, and fun socialization!
The ”Partners” program is a “chavrusa-style” learning and social program through Partners in Jewish Life, based on the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. The goal is uniting Jewish communities, one pair at a time. We bring together Jews from diverse backgrounds, pairing up people from different levels of Jewish observance (even just Jew-ish identity), fostering new relationships built on friendship and respect.
Mon 7:00–8:30pm | 2/23 | FREE | Register
Community Purim Carnival
Put on your most creative costume, grab your friends and family, and come enjoy a fun day filled with a bounce house, face painting, and more! Celebrate the joyous story of Purim with a costume contest and plenty of sweet treats. It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss! Price is per family.
Sun 10:00am–12:00pm | 3/1 | $20 community family/$15 member family | Register
Pre-Passover Wine Tasting & Recipe Swap
Join us for an evening of wine, fun and exploration! Taste a selection of Israeli wines, learn about their unique flavors and pairing ideas, and enjoy good company. Send us your favorite Passover recipes so we can create a kitchen companion for you to take home!
Mon 7:00–8:00pm | 3/9 | $5 | Register
Come, Let's Learn
Are you interested in Jewish texts and ideas and want to gather with friends or like-minded individuals to think through how they might speak to your life? We can custom make a learning opportunity for you! Contact Laura Kurcfeld, Director of the Center for Jewish Life & Learning, at lkurcfeld@jccmemphis.org or (901) 259-9227 to get started.
Questions? Contact Laura Kurcfeld, Director of the Center for Jewish Life & Learning, at lkurcfeld@jccmemphis.org or (901) 259-9227.