The following is a list of available Basic Jewish Education courses
click on any Jewish Education course to view it’s full description:
(Click here for Custom and Semi-Custom Classes)
(Click here for Adult Hebrew Classes)
(Click here for Lifelong Jewish Learning Classes)
(Click here for Weekly Shabbos Afternoon Classes)
click here to view the fee schedule
Fundamentals of Judaism (4 sessions):
Fundamentals of Judaism is a perfect introduction to Judaism for the first-timer, or for the person raised Jewish but encountering Judaism seriously for the first time as an adult. This short introductory course offers a wonderful overview of foundational Jewish beliefs and traditions. Sessions cover:
(1) Key concepts in Judaism
(2) God and Jewish Spirituality
(3) Torah and Jewish Ethics
(4) Holidays and the Jewish People
Sacred Seasons: The Jewish Holy Days (2 sets of 4 sessions):
Sacred Seasons is an 8-session class providing an overview of the history, background, and traditions of the Jewish “Holiday Cycle”. The course is divided into two parts, which may be offered sequentially or separately.
The first part of the series is an overview of “Major” Jewish holidays (Holy Days mentioned in the Torah) with sessions on:
(1) Introduction to the Jewish Calendar
(2) Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur—The “Days of Awe”
(3) Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot—The “Pilgrimage Festivals”
(4) Shabbat—The Sabbath
The second part of the series is an overview of “Minor” (post-Torah) holidays with sessions on:
(5) Elul to Simchat Torah—The High Holy Day Period
(6) Beyond Yom Kippur—Days of Fasting in Jewish Tradition
(7) Purim—Festival of Merriment
(8) Hanukah—Festival of Lights
Sacred Day: Shabbat Concepts & Practices (4 sessions):
In these four sessions, we will explore key concepts and practices that will enhance anyone’s Sabbath experience:
(1) From Torah to Heschel--The Sabbath in Jewish texts
(2) Candles, Kiddush, Havdallah & beyond—Prayers of the Sabbath Day
(3) “Melachot”—categories of work traditionally prohibited on Shabbat
(4) Making your own—modern practices to enhance your Sabbath
Sacred Moments: The Jewish Life-Cycle (4 sessions):
Sacred Moments is an 4-session class providing an overview of background and traditions of the Jewish “Life-Cycle” (life celebrations). The Life-Cycle combines with the “Holiday Cycle” to form the yearly and lifelong rhythm of Jewish life. Sessions cover:
(1) Bris & Baby Naming
(2) Bar/Bat Mitzvah
(3) Weddings
(4) Funerals & Mourning
Sacred Texts: (2 sets of 4 sessions):
Sacred Texts is an 8-session class providing an overview of the sacred literature of Judaism that has earned Jews the nickname “People of the Book”. The course is divided into two parts, which may be offered sequentially or separately.
The first part of the series is an overview of foundational Jewish texts through the beginnings of “Rabbinic Judaism”:
(1) Overview of Jewish Sacred Texts
(2) From Sinai?—The Torah
(3) The other 34 books + Apocrypha—The “Rest” of the Hebrew Bible
(4) Mishna & Talmud—the foundations of Modern Judaism
The second part of the series explores the sacred texts that have emerged since the codification of the Talmud (500CE):
(5) Pirke Avot—The Ethics of the Ancestors
(6) Midrash—The White Spaces in the Torah
(7) Torah Commentary—The Ever-Emerging Tradition
(8) Zohar—Foundation of Kabbalah
“How To” Judaism: (2 sets of 4 sessions):
“How To” Judaism focuses specifically on the traditions and customs of Judaism with resources provided enabling participants to evaluate, explore, and live these traditions in their own lives.
The first part of the series covers traditions and customs of the holidays:
(1) Traditions of the High Holy Days (Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur)
(2) Traditions of the Feast Days (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot)
(3) Traditions of the Minor Holidays (Purim, Hanukah, & Beyond)
(4) Traditions of the Sabbath
The second part of the series covers traditions and customs of other aspects of Jewish Life:
(5) Life-Cycles—Traditions at Jewish Ceremonies
(6) In the Synagogue—Traditions of Jewish Prayer
(7) Each House is a Sanctuary—Traditions of the Jewish Home
(8) Kosher & Beyond—Traditions of the Jewish Kitchen
Click here for page 2 of the Basic Judaism course catalog
(Click here for Lifelong Learning Classes)
(Click here for Adult Hebrew Classes)
(Click here for Weekly Shabbos Afternoon Classes)
click here to view the fee schedule
