Education Center brings in 3 'must-do' programs to Longboat

With registration opening for the cavalcade of events in the 2025-26 season, there are three standouts at The Education Center will host.

Located at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, the center's program director, Susan Goldfarb, said there are plenty of brand-new events to look forward to seeing, along with new lectures led by longtime favorite speakers. 

There are three Longboat Key residents should take advantage of. 

1. The Manatee County Falls Prevention Coalition is partnering with The Education Center to offer a a free prevention workshop and health screenings on Nov. 20. This session takes place from 10 a.m. to noon and will offer practical strategies for maintaining independence through strength and balance. Registration is requested.

"Once you fall at a certain age, it's serious," Goldfarb said while explaining why the center wanted to offer the class for free.

2. Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates, the new leader at Temple Beth Israel, is set to host a program of her own on March 5. 

She is an admirer and friend of the late artist Nathan Hilu, who boldly portrays his experience guarding top Nazi war criminals during the Nuremberg Trials. She is leading a presentation of a documentary, "Nathan-ism," on which she was a consultant.

The evening will feature a showing of the film, a discussion led by Mates, a viewing of some of his original works, and a reception at 3:45 p.m.

3. The center is also welcoming leaders from fellow on-island religious organizations. Rev. Kenneth Blyth from St. Armands Key Lutheran Church is visiting on March 10 to lead a talk titled, "The Christian Origins of Antisemitism." A Q&A session will follow.

As with previous years, there will also be plenty of opportunities to take in an evening of music. For example, Kid Dutch's series on New Orleans jazz returns this year on Jan. 20 and Feb. 10 with various guest artists.