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 history, spirituality, text, community, law, gender, interfaith, holidays, and thought. This unique offering is for all who are Jew’ishly curious. Soul Journey is the only trans-denominational class that can be used for conversion in Los Angeles and is accepted by the Sandra Caplan Beit Din.
Our 20-week, global course runs twice a year on Zoom, coupled with one or two live experiences for participants who live locally. Syllabus and Application form below.
Next cohort begins October 2025 and meets on Monday evenings,
To inquire about participating, fill out this form or contact Open Temple.
Instructors:
Rabbi Lisa Bock, Ph.D.
Rabbi Anne Brener
Chaplain Muriel Dance, Ph.D.
Rabbi Karen Deitsch
Rabbi Robin Podolsky
Rabbi Lori Shapiro
Sample Curriculum:
Week 1: Intro + Community / Mussar / Concepts of Believing, Belonging, Behaving. Mussar Trait: Hiddur Mitzvah
Week 2: ’Havdil/Distinctions: Gender, “The Other”, Denominations, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Mussar Trait: Kavod
Week 3: Hebrew/Jewish Languages / Rabbinic vs. Biblical vs. Modern Hebrew / Learn the aleph bet Mussar Trait: Savlanut
Week 4: Menshlicheit: How Study and Spiritual Practices Shape a Healthy, Upstanding Life Mussar Trait: Seder
Week 5: Lifecycle I: Marriage, Birth, Circumcision, Raising Children Mussar Trait: Nedivut
Week 6: Lifecycle II: Bikkur Cholim/Visiting the Sick, Maturity, End of Life, AfterlifeMussar Trait: Rachamim
Week 7: Holy Days I: Shabbat and Weekdays. Mussar Trait: Menuchat
Week 8: Holy Days II: Wheel of the Jewish Year: Fall and Winter Holidays Mussar Trait: Yirah
Week 9: Holy Days III: Spring and Summer Holidays. Mussar Trait: Hoda’ya
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. Mussar Trait: Chavavah
Week 20: Conclusion: Siyum – Judaism in Los Angeles: Where Do We Go From Here? Mussar Trait: Tzedek
Soul Journey Intro to Judaism Tuition $500
Payment plans available. Contact us if you need financial assistance.
Fall 2024 Schedule:
Begins Monday, 11/11/24, last class 4/7/25