Introduction to Judaism Beyond Nationalism

Course Description: This is an overview course in broad strokes about Jewish life, culture, belief, non-belief, and thought. This course will give the participants a general background in the ideas, practices, and expressions of Jewish life from ancient times to the present. The course is split into two modules, with a third advanced module available upon completion of the second.

Module 1: History and Ideas
Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30pm EDT | 3:00 - 4:30pm PCT
June 3 - August 5, 2025 {Skipping weeks of Tuesday, June 17 and July 8}

This module traces the historical development of Judaism from biblical times to postmodernity, with a focus on philosophy, diaspora, the advent of Zionism, and responses to it.

Module 2: Practices and Lifecycle
Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30pm EDT | 3:00 - 4:30pm PCT
August 12 - October 7, 2025 {Skipping week of Tuesday, September 23}

This module dives into the practices and lifecycles of Jewish life—Shabbat, prayer, festivals, and ritual objects—centering tradition as lived experience rather than nationalist ideology.

We encourage regular attendance although we understand that it may be impossible for participants to attend every session. We will record and make the classes available to watch afterwards. The class is paired with the books Judaisms by Aaron Hahn Tapper, or Jewish History: A Very Short Introduction by David Meyer.

Course Pricing Structure: