- December 24, 2025
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Whether inquiring minds are curious to learn more about the "Wild Beast" French artists, dive into 100 years of cinematic history, tap into some New Orleans jazz or explore another point of cultural interest, The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel has a little something to satisfy all manner of interests in the winter term.
Classes run from Jan. 5 to Feb. 27, and enrollment is now open.
Susan Goldfarb, program director of The Education Center, said the lineup for her 40th year of helping organize the programming on Longboat Key is one of the best yet.
"Every year supercedes the previous one," she said. "I'm so thrilled with all the wonderful people who are going to be representing themselves and their organizations. I think the variety speaks for itself."
The 2026 lineup includes many new class offerings. The full brochure is available at the temple or online at TBIEducationCenter.org, but here is a breakdown of a few courses and lectures.
Music has a special way of opening doors to new cultures and traditions, and The Education Center is covering a variety of genres with this year's Sunday Performing Arts Programs.
Except for the Feb. 1 show by performers from the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe that starts at 7:30 p.m., all performances start at 3 p.m.
Shows include the Yiddish Cowboys on Jan. 11; Local Honey on Jan. 18; "Songs from Around the World with Barbara King" on Jan. 25; "Anything Goes: The Cole Porter Story" narrated by Sandra Moulin on March 1; POPera on March 8; Los Rumberos on March 15; and "Billy Joel: Just the Way He Is" narrated by Susan Benjamin and sung by cantor Jay O'Brien on Feb. 15.
Kid Dutch also returns for two Tuesday New Orleans jazz nights at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 and Feb. 10 with various guest artists. Cost is $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers.
This term's "Wind Down Wednesday" jazz happy hours are from 5-6:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 and Feb. 25. Barbara Jordan covers the classics, then the Thomas Carabasi Jazz Quartet plays American and Brazilian tunes.
Several class offerings venture into the world of music as well, including private piano lessons by Betsy Tomasso; talks previewing four upcoming Sarasota Opera performances led by Phillip Gainsley; and Susan Benjamin's discussions on Fred Astaire (Jan. 23 and Jan. 30), Gene Kelly (Feb. 20 and Feb. 27), and Donald O'Connor and Bob Fosse (March 6 and March 13).
New and exciting lecture topics are coming to The Education Center stage.
Explore the "Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean," covering the high-seas adventures of Jewish people who fled Spain and Portugal in the late 15th century. Ken Hanson, director of the University of Central Florida's Interdisciplinary Program on Judaic Studies, tells tales of their plundering of Spanish fleets from 1-2:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 and Feb. 11. Cost is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers.
Those seeking artistic inspiration can hear from Kevin Costello about the French Fauve artists, or "Wild Beasts," who painted their works in the early 20th century. Classes start at 11 a.m. Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. Cost is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers.
Also new this year is a six-session series celebrating women's voices and understanding different viewpoints, led by Shain Fishman. Classes are at 11 a.m. Fridays, starting Jan. 23. Cost is $120 for members and $130 for nonmembers.
Cinephiles can look forward to Gus Mollasis' "100-Year Journey of Cinematic Magic" starting Jan. 5; "Memorable Movie Scenes" starting Feb. 3; "At the Movies" starting Feb. 6; and "The Foreign Film Festival" starting Jan. 8.
Goldfarb is also curating a four-session Jewish/Israeli Film Festival. Showings are from 2-5 p.m. Thursdays Feb. 5-26. Cost is $90 for members and $100 for nonmembers.
Instructors are also offering a bevy of other classes on poetry, technology, politics and more.
Among the winter term exercise classes is the popular gentle chair yoga course. Emme Shapiro leads the group from 9-10 a.m. Mondays from Jan. 5 to Feb. 23, focusing on the slow-paced Hatha style of yoga.
Brian Nell leads qigong classes from 9-10 a.m. on Tuesdays Jan. 6 to Feb. 24. He focuses on improving balance, loosening joints and increasing flexibility through gentle movement.
Harriet Roberts teaches mixed-level yoga from 9-10 a.m. Fridays Jan. 9 to Feb. 27. She makes classes accessible for a variety of experience levels, incorporating purposeful breath work, relaxation and meditation techniques.
For all three offerings, the cost is $110 for members and $120 for nonmembers for eight sessions. Prorated rates are available later in the term, depending upon availability.
Students can also partake in nature walks with guide Elliot Prout 9-10:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 5-26. For four sessions, the cost is $95 for members and $105 for nonmembers. Birding and Nordic walking are also offered.
Whether based in nature, the arts or writing, 2026's early programs provide many topics for community engagement.
