The Dr. H. Harold Gelfand Memorial Institute of Adult Education at Kesher Israel Congregation

The Institute

The Institute was established in 1989 to provide Jewish adult education activities within the Kesher Israel Congregation community, as well as throughout the Washington, DC area. Fifteen years later, the Institute thrives, offering a variety of courses during the Fall and Spring semesters, well-attended high holiday learners services, Shabbatonim, and a Shabbat Dinner & Drash and Lunch & Learn lecture series. The Institute has also expanded its series of Seminars in Practical Halacha.

The Institute is chaired and coordinated by volunteers, and most Institute faculty - primarily Kesher Israel members - also function on a volunteer basis. In order to encourage participation by a maximum number of people, courses are free and all are open to both members and non-members of the congregation. Institute programming reaches far beyond the confines or membership of Kesher Israel.

Since the establishment of the Institute, its activities have been supported by a combination of private donations, grant monies, and general synagogue revenues. In September 1999, an endowment was established to provide stable ongoing support of the Institute, including the annual Martin Zlotnick Memorial Lecture.

Donations to support adult education activities are encouraged and should be made to Kesher Israel. Such contributions should include a note indicating that the donation is for the Adult Education Endowment.

For additional information on adult education activities at Kesher Israel, contact the synagogue at 202-333-2337 or Elanit Rothschild Jakabovics, chairperson of the Institute, by e-mail at education@kesher.org.