Congregation Shaare Emeth is unveiling a new initiative, “MakomSTL: A Place for Jewish Learning.” The first session begins on Oct. 18. MakomSTL will take place at Shaare Emeth on Wednesday evenings, with a social gathering and refreshments at 7 p.m., followed by classes from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

In Hebrew, “Makom” has a double meaning: “a place” or “The Place” (where God dwells). 

The courses offered this semester are:

• Justice and Faith, led by Rabbi Andrea Goldstein: Using excerpts from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel’s book, “The Prophets”, the class will explore the ways the prophets wove their faith into their mandates for justice and see how their ancient teachings still apply to the world today.

• Learn Hebrew and More, led by Cantor Seth Warner and Marci Thal: This Hebrew class will continue learning prayers, liturgy and some modern Hebrew. The class is open to students who know the alef-bet and can read.  Students may choose to be a part of the Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah service. Tuition for the class is $125 for members or $160 for non-members, plus a small materials fee.

• iEngage: The Legacy of the Past and the Challenges of the Future, led by Rabbi Jim Bennett: This new course explores the pivotal events of 1947 and 1967 — following the 1917 Balfour Declaration — as key moments when Zionism unleashed new thinking about the meaning of Jewishness for generations to come. The class will use video lectures, text study and group discussion, utilizing faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute. Each session includes text study and discussion led by Rabbi Bennett, enhanced by video lectures from Rabbi Donniel Hartman, and video dialogues between Hartman and other scholars and experts. There is a material fee of $50 for Shaare Emeth members and $75 for others.

To register for classes, visit sestl.org/MakomSTL. Shaare Emeth is located at 11645 Ladue Road in Creve Coeur.