Many of the creators of early German cinema (1918 – 1933) were Jewish immigrants to Berlin from Eastern Europe. German Expressionist cinema, a revolutionary innovation, found Jews both in front of or behind the camera. The class features cinematic masterpieces…
For over half a century Jewish intermarriage was understood as the next step before assimilation. Using the new Pew 2020 survey, Bruce Phillips will argue that the current discourses about Jewish intermarriage are outdated. For example, asking why Jewish intermarry…
The course will address the eternal question, “Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?” If God is a compassionate and loving God, why do people suffer? In an attempt to answer these questions, we will look at the Biblical…
In partnership with KlezCalifornia 10 sessions. Learn this rich and colorful language in a relaxed, irreverent and heimishe atmosphere. Emphasis will be placed on interactive conversation among students (almost) entirely in Yiddish in order to develop the ability to form…
In partnership with KlezCalifornia Learn this rich and colorful language in a relaxed, irreverent and heimishe atmosphere. Emphasis will be placed on interactive conversation among students (almost) entirely in Yiddish in order to develop the ability to form sentences for…
In partnership with KlezCalifornia During the 1950s, as Yiddish culture was fading from public view, Mickey Katz (1909-1985) gave it a second wind. A clarinetist, bandleader, and comedian, he performed his “Yinglish” musical parodies to sold-out crowds across North America…
This class introduces students to all the basic elements of Prayerbook Hebrew: the alphabet, vowels, vocabulary, sight-reading skills, and basic grammar. You’ll learn some of the key prayerbook melodies and discuss the meaning of the prayers. It provides a strong…
This course will complete our study of basic prayerbook Hebrew using the text Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way, then begin to introduce the more complex verb patterns of classical Biblical Hebrew and the irregular verb system, while building Hebrew vocabulary….
Genesis 24 is a classic tale about finding a wife and also a revealing presentation of the protocols and practices that lead to marriage in the ancient Near East. Isaac has just lost his mother Sarah and his father, Abraham,…
We will examine how Israeli men are portrayed in such popular Israeli TV series as Fauda, Shtisel, and When Heroes Fly, and explore how these portrayals could serve as a lens through which we explore Israeli society and the Zionist…
Drought, famine, established powers on the edge of collapse, mass migrations from failed states to other countries: you may be thinking of the Middle East in 2022. Try 1180 BCE! In this richly illustrated course, you’ll travel back to discover…
Drought, famine, established powers on the edge of collapse, mass migrations from failed states to other countries: you may be thinking of the Middle East in 2022. Try 1180 BCE! In this richly illustrated course, you’ll travel back to discover…
Drought, famine, established powers on the edge of collapse, mass migrations from failed states to other countries: you may be thinking of the Middle East in 2022. Try 1180 BCE! In this richly illustrated course, you’ll travel back to discover…
Drop-In Book Club: People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn (VIRTUAL) In partnership with the Jewish Community Library Dara Horn’s award-winning recent collection of essays unflinchingly portrays and challenges the ways in which Jews and Jewish history are understood. David…
From its very beginning, Judaism has been an evolving spiritual tradition shaped, in part, by contact with other cultures and belief systems, and designed to meet the spiritual needs of the Jewish communities of the time. While some Jews find…
In partnership wit Cong. Chevra Thilim, San Francisco Many episodes of Seinfeld touch upon Jewish subjects, for example, “The Bris” and “Jewish Dating Night.” This course will attempt to uncover a more general characteristic of Seinfeld’s humor, namely the tendency…
From its very beginning, Judaism has been an evolving spiritual tradition shaped, in part, by contact with other cultures and belief systems, and designed to meet the spiritual needs of the Jewish communities of the time. While some Jews find…
In partnership wit Cong. Chevra Thilim, San Francisco Many episodes of Seinfeld touch upon Jewish subjects, for example, “The Bris” and “Jewish Dating Night.” This course will attempt to uncover a more general characteristic of Seinfeld’s humor, namely the tendency…
It is not unusual for a Jew of color to be asked, “How did you get to be Jewish?” Quite simply the question stems from their appearance – “You don’t look Jewish.” There are a number of ways that an…
In partnership with Urban Adamah We will examine the relationship between theology, Jewish law, and aggadah with an eye to how Jewish teachings inform present-day environmental issues. Focusing on a range of issues–from pollution, zoning, and resource management, to distributive justice,…
East Bay Jewish Film Festival presents (in partnership with New Lehrhaus) presents: David Grossman: Documentary Film and Discussion Dr. Vered Weiss (New Lehrhaus teacher in Spring 22) will discuss the film and Grossman’s literary works with viewers of the documentary…
Learn modern conversational Hebrew in a fun, inspiring, and unique online program. Practice speaking Hebrew in a warm and supportive environment with the opportunity to further reinforce weekly lesson material outside of class. Online group classes are offered for beginner…
From its very beginning, Judaism has been an evolving spiritual tradition shaped, in part, by contact with other cultures and belief systems, and designed to meet the spiritual needs of the Jewish communities of the time. While some Jews find…
Hebrew Writers: Film Biographies and Text Reading (Virtual on Zoom) A 2-part series of 2-session mini-courses that introduce students to some of the great canonical Hebrew writers and some who broke the very molds of the literary canon. The class…
In partnership with Urban Adamah We will examine the relationship between theology, Jewish law, and aggadah with an eye to how Jewish teachings inform present-day environmental issues. Focusing on a range of issues–from pollution, zoning, and resource management, to distributive justice,…
From its very beginning, Judaism has been an evolving spiritual tradition shaped, in part, by contact with other cultures and belief systems, and designed to meet the spiritual needs of the Jewish communities of the time. While some Jews find…
Every child needs to understand where they come from. If you are raising your child as a Jew but one parent is not Jewish it is essential that you teach your child about that side of their family. This workshop…
In partnership with Cong. Beth Israel How did the figure of Elijah change over time, from a zealous prophet into an immortal, compassionate being who revisits earth to rescue and enlighten—perhaps the most popular figure in Jewish folklore? How was…
This course covers additional features of Hebrew commonly found in Biblical and Siddur (prayerbook) texts, using the text Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way. We will introduce more of the verbal system and new grammatical components, including the present and past…
We will complete our overview of the Hebrew verb system, and continue to build Biblical text translation and analysis skills, using Bibleworks software in class. We will also translate sample texts from the Hebrew Bible. Students who complete this course…
Abimelech in the Book of Judges is a true (if illegitimate) son of the legendary Gideon: clever, murderous, and vengeful. Although he ultimately lacks his father’s good luck, he packs more back-stabbing punch in his brief career than most any…
Hebrew Writers: Film Biographies and Text Reading (Virtual on Zoom) A 2-part series of 2-session mini-courses that introduce students to some of the great canonical Hebrew writers and some who broke the very molds of the literary canon. The class…
While synagogues and sacred books were rarely illustrated, Medieval Jews commissioned and created marvelously illustrated Haggadot (Haggadahs). The pictures in these 14th – 16th century books can tell us a lot about both how their illustrators and viewers imagined the…
In partnership with Americans for Ben-Gurion University What happened BEFORE the Bible? This course will delve into periods and aspects of pre-biblical archeology, situated in today’s discourse about what is archeology and how is it harnessed to current national and…
In partnership with Urban Adamah We will examine the relationship between theology, Jewish law, and aggadah with an eye to how Jewish teachings inform present-day environmental issues. Focusing on a range of issues–from pollution, zoning, and resource management, to distributive justice,…
This course covers additional features of Hebrew commonly found in Biblical and Siddur (prayerbook) texts, using the text Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way. We will introduce more of the verbal system and new grammatical components, including the present and past…
We will complete our overview of the Hebrew verb system, and continue to build Biblical text translation and analysis skills, using Bibleworks software in class. We will also translate sample texts from the Hebrew Bible. Students who complete this course…
Since our beginnings, the ache of exile and longing to come home have run through Jewish life and writings: our poetry is rich with them. We will read Biblical, Golden Age Spain, Modernist and contemporary texts, and write our own…
Abimelech in the Book of Judges is a true (if illegitimate) son of the legendary Gideon: clever, murderous, and vengeful. Although he ultimately lacks his father’s good luck, he packs more back-stabbing punch in his brief career than most any…
From its very beginning, Judaism has been an evolving spiritual tradition shaped, in part, by contact with other cultures and belief systems, and designed to meet the spiritual needs of the Jewish communities of the time. While some Jews find…
Hebrew Writers: Film Biographies and Text Reading (Virtual on Zoom) A 2-part series of 2-session mini-courses that introduce students to some of the great canonical Hebrew writers and some who broke the very molds of the literary canon. The class…
Rachel & David Biale: Aerograms Across the Ocean: A Love Story in Letters Presented by the Jewish Community Library: You must register through the Jewish Community Library link: https://jewishlearning.works/event/aerograms-across-the-ocean/ No registration option through New Lerhhaus. Aerograms Across the Ocean: A…
The complex relationships between Jews and their Gentile neighbors will focus on four areas: Session 1: Was Ancient Judaism a Nation, an Ethnicity, or a Religion? Session 2: Was There Antisemitism in Pagan Antiquity? Session 3: Displaced in the Diaspora?…
In partnership with Americans for Ben-Gurion University What happened BEFORE the Bible? This course will delve into periods and aspects of pre-biblical archeology, situated in today’s discourse about what is archeology and how is it harnessed to current national and…