Program
- Education Series
- Streaming
Introduction to Judaism Beyond Nationalism: Cohort 2
Whether you’re new to Judaism, seeking conversion, or reimagining your Jewish life, this course is for you! This 16-class, two-module series offers a fresh and rigorous exploration of Jewish identity, history, and practice grounded in justice, diaspora, and spiritual autonomy.
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. This cohort will be taught by Rabbi Koach Baruch Frazier.
Module 1: History and Ideas
Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30pm EDT | 3:00 - 4:30pm PCT
August 13 - October 8, 2025
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
Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30pm EDT | 4:00 - 5:30pm PCT
October 22 - December 5, 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:
- Module One: $300
- Module Two: $300
- Modules One & Two: $550
- Scholarship allocation available through application
Course Outline:
MODULE ONE: History & Ideas
Week 1: Introduction & What is a Jew?
Week 2: The Jewish Timeline: History of the World Pt. 1
Week 3: The Jewish Timeline: Locating ourselves in the Jewish story Pt. II
Week 4: Torah: From the Bible to the Talmud (a journey through the year)
Week 5: Jewish Belief: One God or Less
Week 6: What is Zionism
Week 7: Antisemitism
Week 8: The Jews in America (Streams & Secularism)
MODULE TWO: Practices & Lifestyle
Week 1: Introduction to Shabbat
Week 2: The Jewish Lifecycle: Pt. : Birth, Bar Mitzvah, and Marriage
Week 3: The Jewish Lifecycle Pt. 2: Divorce, Death, the Afterlife
Week 3: Prayer: An Introduction to Services
Week 4: Fall Festivals: Elul, Slichot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur
Week 5: Sukkot and Shavuot: Harvest Festivals
Week 6: Purim and Chanukah
Week 8: Jewish Symbols and Ritual Objects: Their Meaning and Use
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Introduction to Judaism Beyond Nationalism Cohort 3
Introduction to Judaism Beyond Nationalism is a broad-stroke survey of Jewish life, culture, belief and non-belief, and the major ideas that have shaped Jews and Judaism across time. The course offers participants a grounding in the practices, philosophies, and expressions of Jewish life from the ancient world to the present.
The course is divided into two 8-week modules. A third module, focused on personal Jewish development and practice-building, will be offered after the conclusion of Module 2.
Recordings will be provided for anyone who cannot attend live. We encourage regular participation, while recognizing that life happens. The course pairs well with either Judaisms by Aaron Hahn Tapper or Jewish History: A Very Short Introduction by David Meyer.
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Terms of Service: An Exploration of Covenant and Jewish Collectivity
Join the ACJ and Shel Maala for a three work journey through the creation and development of the concept of brit, covenant, throughout Jewish history. We will explore its roots in the ancient Near East, its usage throughout Biblical and Rabbinic texts, and its usages, for good and for ill, in today's world.
All classes via Zoom, December 22nd, 29th, and January 5th from 6:30-8pm Eastern
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