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Introduction to Judaism

Join us for a FREE Lunch & Learn Introductory Course!
Thursday July 8th at 12:00 Noon

Introduction to Judaism

For individuals and couples who desire to learn more about their Judaism. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Yes, this course fulfills one of the requirements toward converting to Judaism!

You should take this class if you are...

‣ Considering converting to Judaism (This class will prepare you for conversion)
‣ In an interfaith relationship and want to learn more about Judaism
‣ Looking for a way to live a fuller and richer Jewish life
‣ Seeking to understand what your children already know about Judaism and Jewish culture
‣ Interested in a Jewish education “refresher”

Class Schedule

Classes are on Thursdays, 12:00PM - 1:00PM via Zoom
With Live In-Person Programming monthly!

Here is the tentative schedule for the semester:

  • July 15, 2021 - Beginnings: From Creation to the Edge of the Wilderness
  • No Class - July 22, 2021
  • July 28, 2021 - The World of the Bible
  • Aug. 4, 2021 - Holy Days: The Wheel of the Jewish Year
  • Aug 12, 2021 - Shabbat: Place in Time
  • Aug 18, 2021 - When Do I Bow? And Other Questions About Jewish Prayer
  • Aug 25, 2021 - Starting Over: The High Holy Days
  • Sept 1, 2021 - Talmud: Argument for the Sake of Heaven
  • Sept. 8, 2021 - No Class – Rosh HaShanah - attend services in person or via Zoom
  • Sept. 15, 2021 - No Class – Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) – attend services in person or via Zoom
  • Sept. 22, 2021 - Chol HaMoed Sukkot – Dine in a Sukkah
  • Sept. 29, 2021 - Simchat Torah – attend services in person or via Zoom
  • Sept. 30, 2021 - Thursday Heart of Many Rooms: Understanding Jewish Diversity 
  • Oct. 6, 2021 - Kashrut: The Original Soul Food Kosher food Scavenger Hunt
  • Oct. 13, 2021 - Philosophers, Poets, and Mystics: The Jewish Middle Ages
  • Oct. 20, 2021 - Marriage, Love & Kosher Sex and From Birth to B’nai Mitzvah: Raising a Mensch
  • Oct. 27, 2021 - Passover: The Jewish Master Story
  • Nov. 3, 2021 - A Time to Mourn: Traditions for Death, Grief, & Healing
  • Nov. 10, 2021 - Out of the Darkness: Stories from the Holocaust
  • Nov. 17, 2021 - God: Encountering the Holy
  • No Nov. 23, 2021 – Enjoy Thanksgiving break with your loved ones
  • Dec. 1, 2021 - Chanukah - Israel: Dreaming of Deliverance and The Jewish Mission to Heal the World
  • Dec. 8, 2021 - Final Class - Wind-up, review and class party

*Classes topics/dates & times subject to change based on availability/post-Covid!

*A certificate of completion of the entire series is a prerequisite for conversion. Additional fees may apply for those wishing to complete the conversion process.

**This class is taught in partnership with the Louis & Judith Miller Introduction to Judaism Program at American Jewish University

Required:

  • Harold Kushner, To Life! A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking (1994)
  • NJOP Hebrew Primer – distributed first day of class

Recommended:

  • Joseph Telushkin, Jewish Literacy: Revised Edition (2001)
  • Raymond Scheindlin, A Short History of the Jewish People (2000)
  • Irving Greenberg, The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays (1988)
  • Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath (1951)

Online readings can be found at intro.aju.edu/readings