The second of a three-semester sequence, this course is designed for those who have completed New Lehrhaus Hebrew 1 or equivalent, have a working Hebrew vocabulary of 75-100 words and are familiar with the grammar of nouns, adjectives, possessive endings and simple participles. It’s also a great choice for students with basic sight-reading skills who ne... Read more

On July 30, 1902, tens of thousands of mourners lined the streets of New York’s Lower East Side to bid farewell to the city’s chief rabbi, the eminent Talmudist Jacob Joseph. All went well until the procession crossed Sheriff Street, where the six-story R. Hoe and Company printing press factory towered over the intersection. Without warning, scraps of steel, iron bolts, and sca... Read more

Although very few Jews remain there today, Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, was the site of a thriving Jewish community. Jewish merchants and traders from present-day Iraq and Syria came to the city during the period of the British Raj, beginning in 1798. Approximately 5,000 Jews called the city home in the mid-twentieth century, but the number quickly dwindled in the aftermath of Indian independe... Read more

This eight-session course covers all the basics found in our Fall Hebrew 1 class in just four weeks. You’ll begin to learn to read, understand and appreciate Prayerbook passages, and lay the foundation for study of the Hebrew Bible. We start at the beginning, teaching the alphabet and sight-reading skills, then move on to build both vocabulary and grammar knowledge using the text Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way. And along the way, you’ll learn about related topics, from key Prayerbook melodi... Read more

We are honored to partner with Kehilla Synagogue in presenting a special celebration to launch Burt Jacobson's (z"l) masterwork, Living in the Presence. This event honors Rabbi Burt's 30-year journey immersing in the life and teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov (the Besht).

The event is free. Living in the Pres... Read more

Ultra-orthodox Jewish life has long been surrounded by secrecy from within and intense curiosity from without. This course will focus on four films that present Haredi Jewish life from multiple perspectives. Critical, compassionate and profoundly humane, these films offer an expanded view of the complexities of living within and beyond the strictures of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish life. Our film selection includes two fiction feature films and two documentaries, from the US, Israel and the United... Read more

A compelling nonfiction graphic novel written by Rafael Medoff and illustrated by Dean Motter, Whistleblowers is the true story of courageous individuals who risked their careers—or their lives—to confront the unfolding Holocaust.

Author Rafael Medoff will discuss the stories captured in the book and the process of translating them into the graphic novel format. San Fran... Read more

In partnership with the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival

Vishniac, is a documentary film that captures Europe from the streets of pre-war Berlin to those of Poland and Lithuania.

Watch the film ahead of the program (online), beginning Sunday, November 10.

New to Judaism or trying to deepen your connection to Jewish practice? Join a cohort of fellow explorers to experience the Jewish fundamentals from an embodied and Earth-based perspective. Classes will combine text study, facilitated discussions, personal reflection, and embodied spiritual practices. Subjects will ... Read more

The Talmud Circle is a growing, dynamic and welcoming community of adult participants engaged in modern Talmud study and active conversation. While the majority of participants are continuing students, anyone may join!  No prior experience with Talmud Study is required.  Curiosity, openness, and unconditional mutual regard are all one needs. ... Read more