New Lehrhaus Community Talmud Circles
The Talmud has been called a sea because you can never see all the way across it. Like the sea, it rewards exploration, and it is best explored in the company of others. Once a month, October through June, two circles of adult learners wade in together, guided by a teacher, a translation, and each other's questions.
No prior knowledge of Hebrew or Aramaic is required, only curiosity and a willingness to ask questions. We read from the Babylonian Talmud, with Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's commentary and a full side-by-side English translation, so every learner, from complete beginner to longtime student, can follow the argument on the page and in the room.
Start with a single, free introductory session, in person or on Zoom, with one of our two teachers. Come see what two hours of in-depth Talmud study is like.
Introductory Session
Free
Introductory Session
Free
New students are always welcome.
Come see for yourself.
Professor, Graduate Theological Union
Professor Deena Aranoff teaches Jewish history, culture, and mysticism at the Center for Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union. She completed her Ph.D. in history at Columbia University in 2006, and is also a longtime yoga student and teacher in the Bay Area.
Oakland · Berkeley · Online
Founder, Downtown Lunchtime Talmud
Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan served Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco as rabbi and senior educator from 1990 to 2010. To deepen his own Talmud study, he founded Downtown Lunchtime Talmud in 1991, which grew into the Bay Area Community Talmud Circles that continue today at New Lehrhaus.
San Francisco · Palo Alto · Online
The introductory session is a single visit. The Talmud Circles are year-round community sessions that run through the year: once a month from October through June, working through the tractate of Talmud together and closing the year with a siyum, a celebration of the text completed.
Meets Wednesday evenings, October through June, at New Lehrhaus's Rockridge campus in Oakland and on Zoom.
Meets Sunday mornings, October through June, in person alternating between the JCC San Francisco and the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. Also accessible on Zoom.
Both circles read from the Koren Talmud Bavli, featuring Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz's commentary with a full side-by-side English translation. You'll also receive support materials from your instructor.
Start with a free introductory session, or go straight to the Talmud Circle of your choice to register.
