Soul Journey: An Introduction to Judaism
Open Temple and Academy for Jewish Religion/LA collaborate on Soul Journey: An Intro to Judaism. Students take a deep dive into Judaism through the lens of its history, spirituality, text, community, law, gender, interfaith, holidays, thought and more. This unique Offering is designed for all who are Jew’ishly curious and is the only trans-denominational class that can be used for conversion in Los Angeles, accepted by the Sandra Caplan Beit Din.
Our 19-week Global course will run twice during the 2022-23 year on Zoom, coupled with one or two live experiences for participants who live locally. Syllabus and Application form below.
Fall 2023
Begins November 6
Summer 2023
Begins June 5
7 – 9pm PST
Enrollment for Summer 2023 is open now
Instructors:
Rabbi Ilana Grinblat
Muriel Dance, PhD, BCC
Rabbi Avivah W. Erlick
Rabbi Robin Podolsky
Rabbi Janet Madden
Rabbi Karen Deitsch
Tuition for Summer 2023: $500
Please contact us if you need financial assistance.
Sample Curriculum:
Week 1: Intro + Community / Mussar / Concepts of Believing, Belonging, Behaving. Mussar Trait: Hiddur Mitzvah
Week 2: Hebrew/Jewish languages / Rabbinic vs. Biblical vs. Modern Hebrew / Learn the aleph bet. Mussar Trait: Savlanut
Week 3: Holy Days I: Shabbat and Weekdays. Mussar Trait: Menuchat HaNefesh
Week 4: Holy Days II: Wheel of the Jewish Year: Fall and Winter Holidays. Mussar Trait: Yirah
Week 5: Holy Days III: Spring and Summer Holidays. Mussar Trait: Hoda’ya
Week 6: L’Havdil/Distinctions: Gender, “The Other”, Denominations, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion. Mussar Trait: Kavod
Week 7: Menshlicheit: How Study and Spiritual Practices Shape a Healthy, Upstanding Life. Mussar Trait: Seder
Week 8: Lifecycle I: Marriage, Birth, Circumcision, Raising Children. Mussar Trait: Nedivut
Week 9: Lifecycle II: Bikkur Cholim/Visiting the Sick, Maturity, End of Life, Afterlife. Mussar Trait: Rachamim
Week 10: Tefilah / Liturgy / Music. Mussar Trait: Tikvah
Week 11: Sacred Text: Oral and Written Part I. Mussar Trait: Anavah
Week 12: Sacred Text: Oral and Written Part II. Mussar Trait: Zerizut
Week 13: Jewish Civilization and History I: Ancient through Enlightenment. Mussar Trait: L’dor v’dor
Week 14: Jewish Civilization and History II: Enlightenment. Mussar Trait: Achrayut
Week 15: Interfaith/World Religions. Mussar Trait: Emet
Week 16: Modern Issues: Holocaust, Israel & Palestine. Mussar Trait: Emunah
Week 17: Jewish Law (Halacha) / Kashrut / Contemporary Jewish Practice. Mussar Trait: Shtikah
Week 18: Jewish Spirituality / Concepts of God / Jewish Thought. Mussar Trait: Bitachon
Week 19: Jewish Mysticism
Conclusion: Siyum – Judaism in Los Angeles: Where Do We Go From Here? Mussar Trait: Tzedek
TUITION $500
Summer 2023 Schedule:
Monday, 6/5
Monday, 6/12
Monday, 6/19
Monday, 6/26
Monday, 7/3
Monday, 7/10
Monday, 7/17
Monday, 7/24
Monday, 7/31
Monday, 8/7
Monday, 8/14
Monday, 8/21
Monday, 8/28
Monday, 9/11
Monday, 9/18
Monday, 10/2
Monday, 10/9
Monday, 10/16
Monday, 10/23
Monday, 10/30