Many of us have enjoyed learning Torah through the WJC in the past. Until we are able to offer regular learning again, here are some other places you can go for different kinds of learning.
Some of these offerings are free with a request for a donation to support the work; others charge tuition, which goes to the teachers and the organization. Most places have a sliding scale; please give as much as you can so the learning can continue.
Woodstock Jewish Congregation – Weekday Elul Learning
Tuesdays – Fridays, 9am – 9:15am ET
Following the format of “A Shtickle Toyrah,” please join us for teachings that will help you prepare for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. We will sound the shofar every morning. Zoom link is in our weekly email newsletter, or register to receive link: https://www.wjcshul.org/adult-learning/
Temple Israel of Catskill– https://www.templeisraelofcatskill.org
Rabbi Zoe B. Zak invites colleagues to teach Torah and other subjects. Study of the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) is ongoing now, Monday evenings, 7-8pm.
Yerusha– https://yerusha.org
Yerusha offers innovative and progressive spiritual programming dedicated to transforming Judaism, the Jewish people, and the world.
Most programs are based on the teachings of Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, zt”l.
In August and September, the Sage-ing Legacy Program is offering a series of (free) afternoon teas: https://yerusha.org/sage-ing/afternoon-tea/
REGISTER NOW for a course taught by Rabbi Victor Gross about Martin Buber, Abraham Joshua Heschel and Reb Zalman!!! https://yerusha.org/deep-ecumenism/from-seed-to-blossom-renewing-judaism/
Explore the website to learn about their other programs!
The Institute for Jewish Spirituality– https://www.jewishspirituality.org
They offer classes as well as daily meditation. Rabbis, other teachers, and participants come from all branches of Judaism.
Hadar– https://www.hadar.org
Hadar is an educational institution for Jews of all backgrounds. Their mission is to “empower Jews to create and sustain vibrant, practicing, egalitarian communities of Torah, Avodah, and Hesed.”
Project Zug invites you to intensive learning with a partner, guided by a teacher. You can enroll with a friend or be assigned to work with someone else who is interested in the subject. Learning for the High Holidays will begin soon: https://www.projectzug.org/elul
They have a virtual beit midrash (study hall) to prepare for the High Holidays. https://www.hadar.org/virtual-beit-midrash
Explore the website for both audio and written teachings!
JewishLIVE– jewishLIVE.org OR https://www.judaismunbound.com/jewishlive-shows
This project started in 2020, soon after the pandemic kept people home, and continues to offer both continuing programs and a library of past programs.
On Thursdays at noon you can learn Talmud with Rabbi Benay Lappe, Rosh Yeshiva (Dean) of SVARA: A traditionally radical yeshiva (https://svara.org)
Sacred Science, Tuesdays at 2pm, “gleans wisdom from science and religion
In the library are some wonderful series of recorded Zoom presentations. Among the best are Prof. Richard Elliott Friedman’s “Return to Torah.”
He’s the author of “Who Wrote the Bible?” and is a master teacher.
Also interesting are Jewish language
The Quarantine Book Club is interviews with authors of recent books.
The Akedah Project, the Megillah Project, and the Plagues Project offer many short videos about their subjects from different vantage points:
Artistic, historical, contemporary, academic, and more.
Rabbi Shai Held does a deep dive into selected psalms, talking about the language used and the psalms’ meanings.
Jewish Languages and Names is a lively series by Sarah Bunin Benor, whose academic field is Jewish languages.
Judaism Unbound- https://www.judaismunbound.com
This is a podcast and much more. Dan Libenson and Rabbi Lex Rofeberg started the podcast over five years ago and also started JewishLIVE. Besides the always-interesting weekly podcasts, they offer other programs to learn with and enhance your Jewish life.
Again this year, they are putting together Elul Unbound 2022, which will have mini-podcasts, Zoom gatherings, and more: https://www.judaismunbound.com/elul2022
They also run the UnYeshiva, classes to encourage deep exploration of Jewish tradition and encourage experimentation.
At the bottom of the Judaism Unbound homepage are the UnYeshiva’s classes for September, 2022.
ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal– https://aleph.org/virtualprograms/
ALEPH is offering several programs starting in August and September, including two with Rabbi Natan Margalit, who has taught at WJC.
Opening to Forgiveness: Preparing Ourselves for A New Season of Renewal
This series of classes in preparation for the new year is offered by our member, Roberta Wall.