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Programs with this icon are part of a series (and the tuition is for the full series). Please register for the program even if you aren’t able to make it to all sessions in the series. Most of our programs are recorded and can be viewed within 2 days following the program/session under the “Videos of Past Programs” tab.

Please note: When you register for a program you are automatically added to our subscribers’ email list and will receive several emails monthly about upcoming programs. Each email will include the option to unsubscribe.

Also, within minutes of submitting a program registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the zoom link (for virtual programs). If you don’t see it in your Inbox or Spam, email us immediately: programs@newlehrhaus.org

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Sun 15

- Pacific Time

Prof. Deena Aranoff—Talmud Study: High Holy Days

Hybrid Program

In partnership with the Osher Marin JCC

Please join us for an immersive two-hour Talmud session in which the words of the rabbis will enable us to step into the upcoming cycle of holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. This study session will support us in preparing for this sacred time and its potential for restoration and transformation.

Sunday, September 15, 10am–12pm

Location

Osher Marin JCC

200 N San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA 94903 + Google Map

Instructor

Sat 14

- Pacific Time Series

Dr. Rivka Amado: Ladino History, Culture, Music & Language (In person only)

In partnership with Sha'ar Zahav 

After over two thousand years of Jewish life in the Iberian Peninsula, the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. Most of them, known as the Sephardim (“Sepharad” is Spain in Hebrew), left with only two types of possessions: their language—Ladino—and their music. This program explores Ladino culture: its historical account, language and music found in ballads, lyrical songs (cantikas), c... Read more

Location

Sha'ar Zahav

290 Dolores St.
San Francisco, CA 94103 + Google Map

Instructor

Wed 11

- Pacific Time Series

Eleanor Shapiro—Israel/Palestine: A Dual-Narrative Approach (on Zoom)

Virtual Program
The current war between Israel and Hamas can make the situation feel too complex and painful to contemplate. Addressing the roots of the conflict, this multimedia history course introduces a perspective that ultimately offers an alternative to the despair that comes with hopeless headlines. All levels of learning welcome.

September 11, 18, 25 and October 1 @ 7–8:30pm

Instructor

Tue 10

- Pacific Time Series

Prof. Azzan Yadin-Israel: Art as Biblical Commentary (on Zoom)

Virtual Program
In partnership with Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills

Though we generally think of commentary as a written medium, in fact there is a rich and fascinating body of artistic commentary to the Bible. Just as a writer must choose what elements of the story to focus on, every artistic depiction represents a series of choices regarding content, emphasis, and mode of representation. In this course we will exam... Read more

Instructor

Mon 09

- Pacific Time Series

Prof. Mira Z. Amiras—How the Middle East Works: Four Models

Virtual Program
In partnership with Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills

We will explore four models for understanding the Middle East today, beginning with Ibn Khaldun’s 14th-century Introduction to History and his anticipation of European colonial ambitions before they’d begun. We'll also investigate German-American historian Karl Wittfogel, who argued that civilization emerged first in the ancient Near East because of the reliance on larg... Read more

Instructor

Wed 04

- Pacific Time

Jonathan Branfman—Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity, and White Supremacy (In person only)

In partnership with the Jewish Community Library

Jonathan Branfman will draw from his new book, Millennial Jewish Stars: Navigating Racial Antisemitism, Masculinity, and White Supremacy (New York University Press, 2024). The book uses examples from film, television, and digital media to clarify how antisemitism works in real life, and especially how antisemitism interacts with race. Although these topics can seem abstra... Read more

Location

Jewish Community Library

1835 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA 94115 + Google Map

Instructor

Register for this ProgramTotal Program Fee: Free

Sun 25

- Pacific Time

David Biale Shloshim Memorial (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

In partnerships with the Jewish Studies Program at UC Davis and the Centers for Jewish Studies at UC Berkeley and the Graduate Theological Union.

The 30th day of mourning (Shloshim) marks the end of the first month after a death, when the bereaved return to most daily activities, except parties and celebrations. We will gather to remember David ... Read more

Sun 25

- Pacific Time

David Biale Shloshim Memorial (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

In partnerships with the Jewish Studies Program at UC Davis and the Centers for Jewish Studies at UC Berkeley and the Graduate Theological Union.

The 30th day of mourning (Shloshim) marks the end of the first month after a death, when the bereaved return to most daily ac... Read more

Sun 18

- Pacific Time

Prof. Naomi Seidman—Tu be’Av: The Little-known Jewish Summer of Love (In person only)

Part of “LEHRHAUS ALEHOUSE” at Beer Baron in Rockridge. First drink is on us!

The Mishna speaks of Tu Be’Av, an ancient matchmaking festival, one that disappeared until the modern period, when it was revived in the Land of Israel and in the Orthodox world. On the holiday, great rabbis pray, without charge, for unmarried men and women to find their mates. But who revived this festival? Neither Zionists nor Orthodox rabbis. Join us to discuss the role of a divorced woman... Read more

Location

Beer Baron Whiskey Bar & Kitchen

5900 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618 + Google Map

Instructor

Sun 11

- Pacific Time

Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan: What REALLY Happened on Tish’ah Be-Av (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

Eicha, “how,” is the first Hebrew word of the Book of Lamentations, and its Hebrew title. Lamentations is read on Tish’a B’Av, but what really happened/happens on the 9th of Av, Tish’a Be-Av?

Read more

Sun 14

- Pacific Time

Prof. Jeremy Popkin—The French Revolution: Was It Good for the Jews? (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

The French Revolution offered Jews the opportunity to become citizens, but at the cost of abandoning their communal autonomy. Was it a good deal?

Read more

Instructor

Tue 02

- Pacific Time

Prof. Michael Hoberman—"The World to Begin Againe:" Jews and the American Revolution (Zoom only)

Virtual Program

Fewer than two thousand Jews lived in North America during the American Revolution. Some were Tories, some sided with the rebellion, and a significant number couldn't make up their minds whose side they were on. Whether they took part in the fighting, held down the homefront, or tried to steer clear of all the trouble, they couldn't help but be implicated by the war's turmoil and outcome.

Read more

Instructor

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