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.

In partnership with Congregation Kol Emeth and Congregation Beth Am

in partnership with Congregation Beth El, Berkeley

Biblical narratives retain a powerful hold on the Jewish imagination, yet many Jewish (and some non-Jewish) writers in the Greco-Roman era rewrote many of these stories despite their ostensible sacredness. What did the authors of these

A partnership program of New Lehrhaus

Read and study the Zohar, the masterpiece of Kabbalah. You may enroll in either of two sections—one reading the Zohar in English and the other working with the original Aramaic. Both are live on Zoom.