Learn the basics of Jewish history, ritual, and culture.

For the first few months, the class will be paired with the prayerbook class.

Recommended short reading: A Short History of the Jewish People

Recommended longer reading: A History of Judaism by Martin Goodman

Part 1: History

November 5^th: What is the beginning of Judaism?

November 12^th: Jews in the Bible. Are they just like us?

November 19^th: Judaism and its surrounding culture

November 26^th: Jews becoming modern

December 3^rd: Zionism

December 10^th: Hanukkah

Jewish Practice

January 7^th: Jews and Food (keeping Kosher)

January 14^th: Shabbat

January 21^st: Tzedakah (Charity and social support in Judaism)

January 28^th: Environmentalism (In honor of Tu Bishvat)

February 4^th: Gender in Judaism

February 11^th: Tikkun Olam

February 18^th: What is Purim?

Purim

March 4^th: Bible and Midrash

March 11^th: Theology

March 18^th: Secular Jewish Culture

March 25^th: Passover

Passover

April 8^th: Birth

April 15^th: Education

April 22^nd: Marriage and Divorce

April 29^th: Mourning

May 6^th: Illness and healing

May 13^th: Conversion and Shavuot

May 20^th: What comes next? (There will be some additional classes about Tisha B’av and High Holidays in the summer)