Susan Goldfarb
Guest Columnist
news@lbknews.com
It’s the height of the season at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel!
The Center is averaging 10-12 classes a day, Monday through Friday, concerts on Sundays, Happy Hour Jazz Nights Wednesdays, and the ongoing annual Lecture Series offering one-time lectures every Tuesday afternoon from 3-4:30 pm with diverse subjects and distinguished speakers.
Here are some highlights, just a taste of the February and March programs, which convey an amazing variety of subjects to enjoy, from Shakespeare to Billy Joel to art appreciation and iPhone classes. As Leonardo da Vinci said, “Learning is the only thing the mind never fears and never regrets.”
THE CREATION OF “WICKED”, a one-time lecture, will be offered on Tuesday,
February 10 from 3-4:30 pm. Stephen Schwartz’s immensely popular score of “Wicked” will be examined by Charles Troy, acclaimed dramatic musical theatre historian, in a thoroughly entertaining and informative multi-media presentation with video clips and audio tracks.
MANAGING AND ORGANIZING YOUR APPLE PHOTOS will be conducted by Apple instructor Helen Hoffenberg, who will give two sessions on Thursday, February 12 and 19, from 1-3 pm, covering changes that iOS 26 brings to the Camera and Photos apps. She will also offer a class on Enjoying Your Apple Watch, Thursday, February 26, from 1-3 pm.
BILLY JOEL: Just The Way He Is will be presented by musical biographer Susan Benjamin, Cantor Jay Obrien, and pianist Robert Hanson on Sunday, February 15 from 3-4:30 pm. The program will include fascinating life stories of Billy Joel and a sensational selection of some of his greatest hits.
VISIONS THAT TANTALIZE—The Orientalist Painters-The most celebrated artists of Ottoman culture in the 19th century will be highlighted by art critic Kevin Costello on Wednesday, February 18 and 25 from 11 am-12:30 pm.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS’ DREAM- Jonny Epstein, teaching professor of classical performance at the Asolo Conservatory, will engage students with Shakespeare’s most enchanting comedy on Friday, February 20 and 27, from 11 am-12:30 pm. Jonny is a longtime, popular teacher of Shakespeare at The Education Center. He brings the plays to life for newcomers and scholars.
Other programs include: Performance and Live Arts at the Historic Asolo Theater; Gene Kelly; The Christian Origins of Antisemitism; Staying Smart in a World Full of Scams; Wind Down Wednesday Happy Hour with wine and cheese, on February 25 from 5-6:30 pm featuring “American and Brazilian Jazz Adventures” with the Thomas Carabasi Quartet, and much more!
Check into these SUNDAY CONCERTS in March, held from 3:00-4:30 pm, which promise to be uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable!
• Mar.1-Anything Goes-The Cole Porter Story
• Mar. 8-POPera-Operatic pop, a genre that puts operatic style to popular favorites
• Mar. 15- Los Rumberos-Sizzling Flamenco dancing and dynamic rhythms
For prices and course descriptions, and to register, visit www.tbieducationcenter.org. For questions, call 941-383-8222 or email Admin@tbieducationcenter.org. The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel is located at 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, FL 34228. Classes begin at 9 am, school office hours are 10 am-5 pm. A secure and convenient Drop-Box is located at the entrance with registration cards when the office is closed.
The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel is a not-for-profit lifelong learning and adult enrichment center that offers over 150 non-credit courses for adults in the fine and applied arts, humanities, liberal arts, and natural and social sciences. Also available are recreational classes, performing arts programs, and special events. All adults are welcome regardless of religion or educational background. A desire to participate is the only prerequisite.
