It’s not what you think, it’s not what the Hagaddah tells us, it’s not what you remember from Sunday School or "The Ten Commandments." Profs. Ron Hendel and Robert Alter will provide an analysis of the Biblical text, both historical and literary, which will turn your Passover Seder upside down.

Shavuot celebrates Matan Torah - the giving of the Torah at Sinai. But what really happened there? Jewish tradition holds that every Jew throughout all time was present at Sinai. What do we "remember" from it? And what does archeology tell us about it: was there a mass gathering? a golden calf? tablets inscribed with ten commandments? Or did something even more earthshaking happen in the Sinai desert?

The holiday of Shavuot, which begins Thursday evening (May 25), celebrates the giving of the Torah at Sinai. Jewish tradition holds that every Jew throughout all time was present at Sinai. Do you “remember” it? What does archeology tell us? Was there a mass gathering at Mt. Sinai? A golden calf? Tablets inscribed with ten commandments? Join us for some answers… and more questions.

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.

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

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

In partnership with Urban Adamah

Join us for a screening of The Route of the Citron (Etrog) by award winning filmmaker Izza Genini.

In partnership with Urban Adamah

In partnership with Cong. Etz Chayim, Palo Alto

This class will examine Jewish timekeeping as a way to understand Jewish attitudes toward the natural world. In particular, we will trace the history and differences among ancient Jewish calendars of the Bible, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Talmud with particular focus on different ways of incorporating the rhythms of the lunar month (a natural cycle) and Sabbath (a non-natural cycle).

Esther's story is exciting, romantic and disturbing. Set in the imaginary lavish court of the Persian king 2,400 years ago, it is an early example of anti-Semitism. Is there actual history here? Why did many Jews oppose its addition to the Biblical Canon? We will explore key parts of the text of the Book of Esther and its world, then fast forward to its ‘movie midrash’ - how Hollywood has interpreted the story.