Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question to see the answer.
Can I register after a course begins?
Yes, you may register up to the midpoint for most courses. You will, however, need to pay full tuition even if you missed the first lesson or two. Most programs are recorded, so you can review the material you missed so you’ll still be getting the whole course.
May I observe the first lesson before registering?
We do not allow prospective students to observe the first class meeting as we need to know the number or registrants before the course begins. (The only exceptions are the year-long Talmud Circles, as they require a greater student commitment.)
I want to take a language class but I’m not a beginner. How can I find the right course for my level?
Send an email to programs@newlehrhaus.org and we’ll have the instructor help determine your placement within our curriculum.
I registered for the first lesson. How do I register for the remaining lessons?
All registrants are entitled to attend all class meetings; it is not possible to register for a single lesson within a series.
I missed a lesson. Was it recorded? How can I see the video?
Yes, we record most of our programs. The video link is available on the program page (the page on which you registered) within two days of each lesson. If you can’t find the program page email programs@newlehrhaus.org for a direct link.
Are your in-person programs and trips Covid safe?
While there’s no way to entirely avoid the possibility of contracting Covid 19, we exercise great caution when convening in person. All in-person events and trips require proof of vaccination and masks, and we exercise physical distancing to the extent possible.
Can I make a donation by check?
Yes, thank you! Please make it out to New Lehrhaus and mail it to:
New Lehrhaus
P.O. Box 7843 Berkeley, CA 94707Can I pay my tuition by check?
We are unable to accept tuition payments by check. If you do not have a debit or credit card, you might consider asking a relative or friend to register you online and then reimburse that person with a check.
Do you offer scholarships?
If you’re unable to pay full tuition we’ll do our best to accommodate you. Please send an email to programs@newlehrhaus.org stating the program that interests you and explaining your situation.
May I contact the teacher directly?
As a matter of policy we do not disclose students’ or teachers’ contact information. Many (but not all) of our instructors share their email addresses with registrants. If your instructor has not done so, contact us at programs@newlehrhaus.org and we will forward your message to the teacher and ask that they get back to you.
What is your refund policy?
If you register for a program and are unable to attend please contact us before the program begins (if a single-session program) or before the second class meeting begins (if a multi-session programs). We depend on your tuition to make our programs viable and may cancel a program if there is insufficient registration, so please consider this before requesting a refund. We are happy to convert your tuition into a donation and send you an IRS-approved letter acknowledging your gift.
Can I call you if I have a question?
New Lehrhaus currently communicates only by email. Please send any inquiries to programs@newlehrhaus.org.
Do you store my credit card information?
If you create an account at newlehrhaus.org you can reference a previously-entered credit card number so you don’t have to type it every time you register. However, no credit card information is ever sent to or stored by newlehrhaus.org. We use Stripe.com, one of the most secure and reputable payment processors available.
Technical details: Your encrypted credit card information is sent from your web browser directly to Stripe’s servers. Stripe then provides us with a secure, transaction-specific token which is used to actually process your payment. This allows us to complete the transaction without ever knowing your credit card number.
Stripe stores all card numbers encrypted on disk with AES-256. Decryption keys are stored on separate machines. None of Stripe’s internal servers and daemons are able to obtain plaintext card numbers; instead, they can just request that cards be sent to a service provider on a static whitelist. Stripe’s infrastructure for storing, decrypting, and transmitting card numbers runs in separate hosting infrastructure, and doesn’t share any credentials with Stripe’s primary services (API, website, etc.) For more information please see Stripe’s security policy.Does New Lehrhaus ever cancel a class?
Sometimes we cancel a one-time program or class due to circumstances beyond our control, such as low enrollment or instructor illness. If we cancel a class due to the instructor’s circumstances, we will first try to reschedule it for the following semester. If we cancel a class before the second class meeting you will receive a full refund. After the second class meeting we will process a prorated refund.
Does New Lehrhaus ever remove a student from a class?
To ensure a supportive learning environment for all, we reserve the right to cancel your enrollment if you engage in behavior disruptive to the education of others, including (but not limited to) verbal harassment and disrespectful behavior toward students, instructors or staff. In this case, we will process a prorated refund.
