A JEWEL OF EDUCATION SYNAGOGUE OFFERS CLASSES FROM YIDDISH TO YOGA.

Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer

VALLEY VILLAGE - The ``hidden gem'' of community education in the San Fernando Valley, Adat Ari El will hold its 45th annual Multi-Interest Day on Wednesday, which launches a semester-long program designed to engage mind, body and spirit.

Among this year's offerings will be current events, nutrition, yoga, operetta appreciation, creative writing, Spanish, cooking and Jewish-focused classes.

``It really is a fabulous program. I really do call it the hidden gem of the Valley. There's something for everyone. People are amazed that this has been around for so long,'' said Roberta Spaccia, chairwoman of Multi- Interest Day and Adat Ari El's Sisterhood education vice president.

``Education has always been a value of Judaism, but Multi-Interest Day is a community service, not just for the Jewish community.''

Miriam Wise, wife of the late Rabbi Aaron Wise of Adat Ari El, has been involved with the program from the beginning, teaching Hebrew, history and Jewish customs classes.

``The whole foundation of religion is to make life more civilized. My husband believed in a synagogue as a center of civilization,'' Wise said.

``(As Jews) one of our missions is tikkun olam, setting the world right. We're taking part in the world by broadening the interests and lives of our community.''

The classes offered are suggested by participant survey at the end of each year. Past offerings have included Israeli dance, beginning knitting and computer literacy. The top perennial favorites have been current events- contemporary issues, music appreciation and creative writing classes.

The Wednesdays-only program starts with the 8:30 a.m. ``early-bird'' classes with a choice of aerobics, Hebrew or scrapbook crafting. Most classes throughout the day are one hour and run in two semesters, 12 weeks each, from November to May. There are four classes scheduled, in one of three time periods, from 9:40 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. A few night classes, beginning at 7:30 p.m., are offered during each semester.

The noontime Contemporary Challenges Speakers forum is a popular draw just by itself. Recent speakers have discussed elder law, Holocaust education in Japan, experiences of child actors and finding jobs for people on Skid Row. The hourlong weekly lecture will resume March 1 with a talk by Howard Somberg on the Jewish community in Uganda.

``Wednesday is the stellar day of the week in my life. I get the pleasure of attending five very different classes and listening to thought-provoking speakers'' said Edith Marcus, a longtime Multi-Interest Day student. ``The classes are taught by first-rate teachers who provide food for thought, keep us abreast of what's going on in the world or keep us fit with systematic exercises.''

It has been a tradition for the rabbis at Adat Ari El to teach one class each semester. Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe Bernhard will lead ``Exodus: And the Story Goes On'' this semester.

``I like being able to explore Judaism with classes from the rabbis, do something good for my body in the yoga class and learn more about writing,'' said Susie Katz, who attends the creative writing class.

Classes with a Jewish focus for the upcoming semester include Jewish literature, the Jewish image in international film, Jewish communities around the world and Jews and Christianity. The ``World of Yiddish'' is also offered.

Multi-Interest Day new semester, 8:30 a.m.-2:40 p.m. beginning Wednesday through May 24 (Passover break April 12 and 19), Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. Tuition $85. Call [phone] or see adatariel.org.

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Multi-Interest Day chairwoman and Sisterhood Education Vice President Roberta Spaccia, left, stands with Dottie Simmons, chairwoman of the Contemporary Challenges Speakers' forum, by the sign-up sheet for the temple Adat Ari El's Multi-Interest Day.

David Sprague/Associated Press