Beth Am University
Welcome to Beth Am University
All New Classes Starting in January!
Join your fellow learners and enroll now for our next session of Beth Am University!
Engage in Jewish learning that sparks your curiosity as you expand your knowledge of Jewish history, text, language and culture.
Mission Statement
Beth Am University cultivates a vibrant learning community dedicated to enriching lives through insightful exploration of Jewish texts, history, and language. Our classes inspire personal growth, promote a deeper connection and understanding of our heritage, and foster a lifelong commitment to learning.
Beth Am University 2026
2026 Class Dates:
JANUARY 14, 21, 28
FEBRUARY 4, 11, 25
MARCH 4, 11
Questions?
Contact Janice Baisman at [email protected]
2026 Registration is Now Open!
Tuition: $200 per semester
(You can register for up to two classes)
SCHEDULE
LIGHT BITES: 6:00 – 6:30 PM
1ST HOUR: 6:35 7:35 PM
History of Israeli Music: A Nation Sings
Dr. Jeff Weinstock
Sepharad Beyond Borders
Dr. Shai Cohen
The Many Meanings of Being Jewish
Dr. Marsha Cohen
A Journey Through Jewish Thought
Rabbi Jason Cook
Deuteronomy: The Utopian Political and Religious Program
Rabbi Frederick Klein
Beginning Hebrew
Drora Davis
BREAK: 7:35 – 7:50 PM
2ND HOUR: 7:55 8:55 PM
Music History: A Jewish View
Dr. Alan Mason
Sepharad Beyond Borders
Dr. Shai Cohen
The Many Meanings of Being Jewish
Dr. Marsha Cohen
A Journey Through Jewish Thought
Rabbi Jason Cook
Deuteronomy: The Utopian Political and Religious Program
Rabbi Frederick Klein
Conversational Hebrew
Drora Davis
The Wit and Wisdom of our Rabbis
Rabbi Jeremy Barras and Rabbi Jaime Aklepi
Temple Beth Am
University Faculty
RABBI JEREMY BARRAS is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth Am. Rabbi Barras’ passion is teaching Jewish texts and Israel. In addition to Beth Am University, Shabbat morning Torah Study, 6th and 7th grade, an online Mishnah Torah class, Rabbi Barras is a guest lecturer at the University of Miami in the Religious Studies Department.
RABBI JAIME AKLEPI, DD, is a rabbi, educator and group facilitator at Temple Beth Am. She teaches a variety of classes to people of all ages, including, a weekly online Torah class and 6th, 7th and 8th grade in our YERS program. Rabbi Aklepi loves educating people about Israel’s history, its people and culture.
DR. MARSHA B. COHEN received her B.A. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and her Ph.D from FIU. Currently, she teaches at the University of Miami’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and at Florence Melton Adult Jewish Studies.
DR. SHAI COHEN Senior Lecturer in Spanish, Hebrew, and Sephardic Studies at the University of Miami and Interim Director of the Modern Languages Lab. He directs the Sephardi Spaces digital-humanities initiative and was recognized with the 2025 Changemaking Education Award for his innovative work at the intersection of heritage and technology.
RABBI JASON COOK is the Campus Rabbi for University of Miami Hillel, now serving in his third year. He received his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati in May 2021. He attended American University in Washington, D.C, where he studied International Relations.
DRORA DAVIS was born and raised in Jerusalem and studied at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. After serving in the IDF, she worked in the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. Drora has been teaching for 35 years. Drora studied education and political science at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is a former Rambam Day School Hebrew teacher and was recognized as Teacher of the Year by CAJE, the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education.
RABBI FREDERICK L. KLEIN, MPHIL, B.C.C., a board certified chaplain, is Director of Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support, a program of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and serves as Executive Vice President of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami. Rabbi Klein has earned a Masters in Bible and Philosophy in Jewish History.
DR. ALAN MASON received the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami, and is Professor Emeritus at Barry University. Alan is on the faculty of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, CAJE, and JCC-U, and is Director of Music at Bet Shira Congregation, and Conductor of HaZamir Miami, a chapter of HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir.
JEFFREY WEINSTOCK is a professor in the Business School at the University of Miami. He graduated summa cum laude from Yale University and holds a graduate degree with high honors from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He lived in Israel for 13 years, is fluent in Hebrew, Spanish and Portuguese.
Class Descriptions
SEPHARAD BEYOND BORDERS: MEMORY, MIGRATION, AND TECHNOLOGY
For more than five centuries, the story of Sepharad—the Jews of medieval Spain and their descendants—has been one of resilience, migration, and cultural creativity across the globe. This course explores how Sephardic identity has been shaped and reshaped by exile, memory, and encounters with new homelands. We will also look at how today’s digital tools and technologies are opening new ways to preserve and share this heritage with future generations.
THE MANY MEANINGS OF BEING JEWISH: ETHNICITY? RACE? RELIGION? COMMUNITY?
This course will explore the various understandings of what it has meant to be “Jewish” in different times and places, from the ancient world to the present day.
HISTORY OF ISRAELI MUSIC: A NATION SINGS
In every country, popular music is a reflection of what is happening at a given moment in time – culturally, politically, economically and spiritually. This has been no different in Israel, where pop music is a mirror of the major social and cultural phenomena of the day. This course will examine how Israeli popular music has been influenced by a dynamic, rapidly-changing culture as well as how music has itself led to cultural change. We will listen to songs and watch clips from the most well-loved and representative songs of each period.
A JOURNEY THROUGH JEWISH THOUGHT
Chart the development and debates of Jewish scholars from Moses Rabbeinu to Rabbi Moses Maimon (Maimonides) to Moses Mendelssohn, and beyond. This course will teach how Jews think and what makes them tick. We will survey great works, chart intellectual history, but most importantly we will develop our own deep understanding of our Judaism and our world. Together we will ask big questions like “how does prophecy work?” “is there a soul?” and “what’s up with this God thing, anyway?”
DEUTERONOMY: THE UTOPIAN POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS PROGRAM
Unlike every other book of the chumash, the book of Deuteronomy is unique. Deuteronomy records the voice of Moses in the first person, and his understanding of the Divine imperative. What does it mean to be a covenanted people in the land of Israel?
• What is the role of the Temple and the sacrifices?
• What are our responsibilities to one another and to God.
• What is the appropriate use of human power?
• How do we understand the militant polemic against idolatry?
Finally, we will examine the very notion of a finite ‘stiff-necked’ people’s capacity to actually fulfill the utopian vision of Moses. How do we as the descendants live up to Moses’ and God’s demands?
MUSIC HISTORY: A JEWISH VIEW
Each week of Music History will introduce a new musical topic of Jewish interest. We will explore the Jewish works of Leonard Bernstein, such as his Kaddish Symphony and Jeremiah Symphony, Ida Rubinstein and her patronage of Stravinsky and Ravel, Sara Levy and her patronage of Bach, The Jew and the Violin, Reform synagogue music over 60 years, and Max Bruch, the composer of Kol Nidre.
BEGINNING HEBREW: SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE
In this interactive class for beginners, students will learn essential vocabulary, phrases and continue to increase their Hebrew reading skills. Students will learn to recognize words and navigate everyday conversation and practical situations.
CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW: EXPANDING YOUR SKILLS
Take your Hebrew to the next level. This course is designed for students who have a foundational understanding of Hebrew and are ready to enhance their abilities building on existing vocabulary and grammatical knowledge. Practice speaking through role-play, dialogues, and discussions.
THE WIT AND WISDOM OF OUR RABBIS
Join our rabbis for meaningful learning about Israel, Judaism and today’s world.
2026 Registration is Now Open!
Tuition: $200 per semester
(You can register for up to two classes)