What gets you curious about Judaism and Jewish life? Are you interested in thinking about what hummus can teach us about Jews in Israel and America? How to live more mindfully? Why (some) Jews cover their heads? What we can learn from the Torah about policing, community, and power? Or how Jewish teachings can guide parents through a divorce? Would you like to form or strengthen community connections with other thoughtful adults?
Introducing an exciting new adult learning opportunity from Hebrew College and CJP: Open Circle Jewish Learning (OCJL). Open Circle brings together small groups of curious, engaged learners with exceptional educators to dive into an array of compelling topics. Meeting for one and a half to two hours, weekly or biweekly, for six or more sessions, Open Circle groups enjoy guided discussions that are rooted in vibrant Jewish texts and culture and facilitated by experts on the topic at hand.
Open Circle offerings are divided into four categories: Mindful Living circles explore Jewish mysticism, meditation, and Mussar (a Jewish path of character development and spiritual growth); Jewish Food for Thought offers a delicious exploration of Jewish culture and history through food and wine – and includes tastings; People of the Book uncovers the richness of our shared Jewish texts; finally, Salons comprise small groups that discuss a host of other subjects, from Jewish takes on pressing social issues to the contemporary challenges facing American Jewry.
For those under 40, Open Circle Jewish Learning has dedicated classes at a special reduced rate, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. Chat with other young adults about Ari Shavit’s powerful, bestselling book on Israel, My Promised Land, wrestle with the often neglected question of Judaism, “What about God?” or discover the fascinating history of head and hair coverings in Jewish tradition and contemporary practice.
There’s something for everyone – and if you have an interest that you’d like to explore with a small group, we can help you launch your own Open Circle! OCJL will pair you and your group with a teacher who has expertise in your subject area and demonstrated excellence in discussion facilitation.
Scholarship support is available – don’t let finances be a barrier to signing up! Contact Betsy More, Associate Director of OCJL, for more information.
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