Welcome to JLP!

The Jewish Learning Project (JLP) is Congregation Beth Yeshurun's Adult Learning Program. Our JLP sessions offer a variety of spiritual, intellectual, and stimulating topics for you to choose from. Sessions are on Sunday mornings and are open to the public and free of charge.

Classes meeting this week:

Invitation to Judaism | 9-10a | Instructor: Rabbi Steven Morgen

This class is open to anyone, but is especially designed for newcomers to Judaism to learn the basics of our way of life, our way of thinking about God, and our way of looking at the world. A separate syllabus outlines the class sessions and topics. Reading list includes Anita Diamant Choosing a Jewish Life, Harold Kushner To Life!, George Robinson Essential Judaism, and Joseph Telushkin Jewish Literacy.

See the year-long curriculum/class schedule here.

Judaism 2.0 | 9-10a | Instructor: Rabbi Danny Horwitz

Highly recommended for those who took the "Invitation to Judaism" course in past years and those who haven't taken any courses since graduating from religious school.  More insights into why Conservative Judaism, the problem of evil, key Hebrew terms, lessons in the prayerbook, and a multitude of aspects of Jewish life and all the questions you can ask!

Introduction to Hebrew | 10-11a | Instructor: Cantor Diane Dorf

Learn to read Hebrew and recognize essential prayer vocabulary. No prior knowledge is necessary. This course is open to everyone, but is required for the Invitation to Judaism students.

Lessons from the Chasidic Inheritors | 10-11a | Instructor: Rabbi Danny Horwitz

A follow-up to last year's class on the early Chasidic masters.  Learn how the powerful personalities and teachers of succeeding generations adapted what they received from the founding generations and what they have to say to our own time.

Understanding the Talmud | 10-11a | Dates:  October 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3, 10, 17  |Instructor: Rabbi Steven Morgen

It is often said that the Talmud is the basis for Judaism, as it has been practiced for about 2,000 years. It contains stories, laws, and - most importantly - debates and arguments. The language of the Talmud is terse and stylistic. Many of the arguments are difficult to follow. This class will give an introduction to Talmudic study, and then we will study together Chapter 10 of the Tractate for Passover. That chapter discusses how to conduct a Seder and so the discussion will be easily accessible for beginning Talmud students.