Exploring Judaism

A course for inquisitive Jews, significant others, those pursuing adult B’nei Mitzvah or conversion, and Seekers of Knowledge of Jewish Life

Our 2024-2025 season of Exploring Judaism will be co-taught by Rabbi Liz Bolton (RB) and Rabbi Deborah Zuker (RZ). Through primary text study featuring plenty of interaction among students, this course leads participants through the major value concepts and practices of Judaism. We wrestle with fundamental questions while learning from and studying with each other.

If you are seeking to deepen your understanding of your Jewish heritage, or to explore Judaism as a spiritual and religious tradition you wish to embrace, you’ve found the right learning opportunity – as you are, whoever you are, or wherever you are.

We will be meeting in person, two Thursday evenings a month, with an online option via Zoom for those who can’t meet in person for health reasons, or who live at a distance.

Everyone should have on hand either a bound copy of the JPS Tanakh or ready access to Sefaria – an on-line compendium of every basic Judaic text, including Tanakh. Student will also be provided with links to specific source sheets and secondary materials relevant to each session.

Other helpful study resources include:

• Evolve by Reconstructing Judaism – From the same department at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that created the Exploring Judaism curriculum back in the 1990s, a 21st century online academy of ideas and resources on contemporary issues, classic values, and their intersections
• My Jewish Learning – This site provides helpful guides and short articles about a wide range of Jewish subjects, including “how-tos” about every holiday and life cycle event
• Hebcal – All your Jewish calendar needs! Hebcal contains times for candle-lighting, dates for holidays, and an aliyah breakdown for Torah readings

Questions?