The Bay Area Talmud Circles bring teachers and students to learn together over a page of Talmud. Never studied Talmud? You’re in for a treat! Bring your curiosity and questions to this hour of dialog about the Talmud and the Berkeley/Marin Community Talmud Circle in particular. No previous knowledge of texts, languages, or history is required, only your own life experience and a sense of adventure.

The Judicial Reform proposed by Netanyhu’s government encompasses a complex web of proposed legislation with the hallmark one, revoking of the "unreasonableness clause" under review by Israel's Supreme Court (September 12). One of Israel's leading civil rights attorneys will provide a deep dive into the legal issues in the context of a fuller understanding of Israel's judicial system.

This introduction to the Bay Area Community Talmud Circles is your opportunity to dip your toes into the Sea of Talmud. This session will explain, reveal and demystify this formative work of the Jewish literary tradition. This session is an antidote to “Talmudic Reference Dysfunction (TRD), an embarrassing condition that can cause shame and humiliation” when others around you are discussing and quoting the Talmud.  In English, about an hour, with great value. In person or on Zoom.

Most likely you remember the 1989 classic Driving Miss Daisy starring Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy and Dan Aykroyd. The film takes place in 1950s Atlanta. Award-winning historian Fred Rosenbaum will explore Black-Jewish relations in America's South at our next Around the World with Fred event.

This introduction to the Bay Area Community Talmud Circles is your opportunity to dip your toes into the Sea of Talmud. This session will explain, reveal and demystify this formative work of the Jewish literary tradition. This session is an antidote to “Talmudic Reference Dysfunction (TRD), an embarrassing condition that can cause shame and humiliation” when others around you are discussing and quoting the Talmud.  In English, about an hour, with great value.  In person or on Zoom.

Our experts explain the Judicial Reform crisis.

Prof. Fania Oz-Salzberger (Haifa University Emerita, History & Law)

In partnership with SF Jewish Film Festival

Fifty years ago, a now forgotten New York Republican assemblyman cast a single tiebreaking vote that legalized abortion in New York and laid the groundwork for Roe v. Wade. Playing as part of Jews in Shorts: Documentaries.

Part of Chew-ish & Jew-ish: Lunch & Learn at Manny’s Café. 

In partnership with Congregation Sha'ar Zahav in San Francisco.

On Tu Be'Av (the fifteenth of Av), "the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards. And what would they say? 'Young man, lift up your eyes and see—whom would you choose.'" (Talmud, Ta'anit). Learn about the holiday and dip into romantic love stories from the Bible and Midrash.

In partnership with the SF Jewish Film Festival

A partnership program with YIVO, New York

First debunking a string of myths about Hamilton's origins, Prof. Andrew Porwancher arrives at a startling conclusion: Hamilton was, in all likelihood, born and raised Jewish. While he did not identify as a Jew in his American adulthood, Hamilton emerged as an important advocate for Jewry in the United States. This story offers a fresh insight into a young republic, torn between New World promises and Old World prejudices.