(Image is of kiddish cups at Afikomen in Berkeley. So beautiful!)
Basic Judaism classes are the best way to build your knowledge of Judaism. No matter your level you can profit from having a rabbi teaching you and having a roomful of other adult students to spark your ideas and to share theirs.
For an interfaith couple the strong advantage is that you will be listening to the teacher TOGETHER and hearing the same thing. If the Jewish partner doesn’t agree they can argue with the rabbi instead of telling the non-Jewish partner that they must have heard wrong.
Judaism 101
Interested in understanding the fundamentals of Jewish faith and practice? If you’re new to Judaism or feel like Hebrew School left you with more than a few gaps, this is the class for you!
Sessions 1-3: Theology | Come explore the theologically pluralistic world of Jewish belief. We will explore four pre-modern theologies with the goal of developing our own faith.
Session 4-7: The High Holidays | We will study the fundamental ideas of the holidays along with a look at liturgy and practice.
Feel free to come for one section or the whole series!
Dates: Sundays, this class has already begun but just hop in!
Time: 11:25am – 12:30pm
Place: Kol Emeth, 4175 Manuela Avenue, Palo Alto and on Zoom.
Sign up and details here
Exploring Judaism: An Introduction
This course is organized around the three pillars of Judaism mentioned in the Mishnah: Torah, Prayer, and Acts of Loving Kindness/Social Justice. We also cover the Jewish calendar, Shabbat practice, and holidays. This class series welcomes beginners and all those looking to (re-)ground themselves in the basics of Judaism.
Dates: Sundays, Sept. 15, Sept. 29, Oct.13, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, and Dec. 15
Time: 9:45 – 11:15am
Place: Rodef Sholom, 170 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael, on the second floor.
Register for the class here.
Please email Heidi Paul with any questions.
Exploring Judaism
This course is a year-long exploration of the history, beliefs, traditions, and practices of the Jewish people. Exploring Judaism will be interesting and meaningful whether you are becoming an adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah, you are just beginning to explore Jewish studies, you are considering choosing Judaism, you are in an interfaith relationship, or you are simply looking for a deeper and more mature understanding of Jewish history and tradition. Students are encouraged to expand their Jewish literacy by taking this course in conjunction with Beginning Hebrew.
Books for the course will be announced; please note that books are not included in the price for the course.
Dates: Starting Sunday, September 22
Year-long Course (21 sessions): Sundays, Sept 22, 29, Oct 6, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, Dec 8, 15, Jan 12, 26, Feb 2, 9, 23, Mar 2, 9, 23, Apr 20, 27, May 4
Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
Place: Temple Isaiah, 925 Risa Rd., Lafayette (in the Room 206 in the adjoining school building; call for more details 925-283-8575)
To register go here and click on “Exploring Judaism”. Then you’ll have to sign up for the website to get in. Or just call.
Exploring Judaism
Drawn from the Miller Introduction to Judaism curriculum from American Jewish University, this 18-week course with the Kol Shofar Clergy is a great opportunity for those who want to begin learning about Judaism, as well as those who are seeking to deepen their learning. This is also the course for anyone considering choosing Judaism as their spiritual path and home. It covers biblical and rabbinic texts, history and culture, holy days, festivals, Shabbat, Jewish concepts of God and ethics, life cycle, dietary laws and Israel. Students who wish to take a single class by topic may do so. The first 30-minutes of the course is dedicated to learning to read Hebrew, while topical learning begins at 10:00 AM.
Dates: Sundays, Sept. 22, 2024 to March 23, 2025
Time: 9:30am for Hebrew portion or 10am for the regular class
Place: Kol Shofar, 215 Blackfield Drive, Tiburon
Cost: $275 18-week series or drop-in $20 per class for the community.
Register here
Introduction to Judaism 101
Judaism 101 is an introduction to Judaism for people who are new or returning to Judaism and are looking for a starting point to dive into Jewish learning and/or Jewish practice. Anyone from any background is welcome. Our learning will be interactive and communal; come ready to be in the learning with us. This fall module will focus on the Jewish calendar (including Shabbat and holidays); Prayer and Spiritual Life; and Lifecycles. Open to members and non-members!
Taught by Cantor Sharon Bernstein.
Dates: Tuesdays, Oct 29, Nov 12, Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10, Jan 7, Jan 14, Jan 21, Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18
Time: 7-9pm
Place: Zoom only (Link to be provided after registering)
Hosted by Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores St., San Francisco
Cost $149 No one turned away for lack of funds. For financial assistance requests please email Danny Shapiro before completing this form.
Register here
Introduction to Judaism
Temple Sinai in Oakland and Temple Beth El in Berkeley are joining together to offer Introduction to Judaism beginning in October 2024. Learn with Beth El and Sinai clergy about the rituals, holidays, beliefs, big questions, and complexities of Judaism in a welcoming and communal environment. This class is open to all: the Jewish adult who wishes to discover or deepen Jewish knowledge, non-Jews with a Jewish partner or just curious to learn more about Judaism, or those considering choosing Judaism. Participants register for each trimester separately and trimesters may be taken in any order.
Dates: starts Wednesday, October 30 and 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12
Time: 7:00pm
Place: Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland
Cost of $150/eight-week session. Register here
Please email Rabbi Bressler with questions or to learn more.
Introduction to Judaism
This survey course addresses four questions: How do Jews worship? What holidays do Jews observe? How do Jews approach life cycle events? And what do Jews believe? This course is designed for adults interested in learning about Judaism and is the first step in our Journey to Judaism conversion program.
Dates: 14 sessions on Wednesdays, October 30, 2024 to February 19, 2025
Time: 6:30 to 8pm
Place: Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., San Francisco
Cost: Free for Sherith Israel members. Class fee for nonmembers is $208 per person. Couples are encouraged to attend together. Scholarships available. No one turned away for financial reasons
Register here
Also available –
Miller Introduction to Judaism Program
The Miller Introduction to Judaism Program is an 18-week course broken into three 6 week units. It provides fundamental knowledge, practical skills, and insights into Jewish culture. No matter your age or background, you can join the program to learn about significant topics such as rituals, holidays, Torah, and values. With guidance from a rabbi, each cohort explores the past, present, and future of Judaism.
This course is offered as a Zoom class with a variety of locations and times.
Or a synagogue can use the curriculum and teach it at their own location.
Cost is $475 for an individual and $650 for a couple and you can ask for tuition assistance.
More information here
Locally
Beth Sholom at 301 14th Ave., San Francisco is offering The Miller Introduction to Judaism class onsite. HOWEVER, unit 1 is full. Look at details for units 2 and 3 here.
Rabbi Chai Levy of Netivot Shalom at 1316 University Ave, Berkeley, refers people directly to the Miller program and they sign up for an online class.