Exploring Judaism: More than Just the Basics
Exploring Judaism: More than Just the Basics
Share this event
Looking to delve into the study of Judaism to learn more than just the basics? Join Rabbi Rena Blumenthal in this 15-session Reconstructionist-inspired program of Jewish immersion and learning. We will use Book of Life by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld and other provided materials for this program.
This program is perfect for those looking to convert to Judaism, new to Judaism, wanting a refresher, or looking for a way to kick-start their next steps in Jewish learning and practice.
After class, participants will:
- Have a broad sense of Jewish history, text, and practice
- Be aware of some of the cutting-edge issues in contemporary Judaism
- Have begun to experiment with their Jewish practices & and commitments
- Have a clearer sense of the next steps in their Jewish learning and practice
We are unable to offer refunds after October 30, 2026.
About the Instructor
Rabbi Rena Blumenthal is a freelance rabbi based in New Paltz, New York. She graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2003, and worked at Vassar College as Assistant Director of the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life and Rachlin Advisor to Jewish Students from 2003-2014. Prior to becoming a rabbi, Rena worked for fifteen years as a psychologist in New York City and Jerusalem. Her freelance rabbinate has included campus consultation for Jewish life, a wide range of formal and informal teaching opportunities, training of interfaith college chaplains, hospital chaplaincy, officiating at weddings and other lifecycle events, and leadership of a monthly Havurah service for the New Paltz community. Rena is the author of a novel, https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/the-book-of-israela
Course Schedule
All classes are from 12pm-1:30pm ET
Week 1: Oct. 25, 2026
Lech Lecha: Sharing our Jewish journeys
Basic Concepts: What is Judaism?
Week 2: Nov. 8, 2026
Biblical History & Texts
Week 3: Nov. 22, 2026
The Jewish Calendar & Shabbat
Week 4: Dec. 6, 2026
The Jewish Year Cycle: Winter Holidays
Week 5: Dec. 20, 2026
Denominations & Theology
Week 6: Jan. 24, 2027
The Synagogue: Structure of the Prayers, Communal Prayer, Ritual Garments
Week 7: Feb. 7, 2027
Rabbinic History & Texts
Week 8: Feb. 21, 2027
The Obligated Jew: Mitzvah, Halacha, Hesed, Tikkun Olam
Week 9: March 7, 2027
Medieval Jewish History & Texts
Week 10: March 21, 2027
The Jewish Year Cycle: Spring and Summer Holidays
Week 11: April 4, 2027
Life Cycle 1: Birth, B’nei Mitzvah, Sexuality, Marriage
Week 12: April 18, 2027
Life Cycle 2: Death & Mourning; Conversion; Contemporary Rituals
Week 13: May 2, 2027
Modern Jewish History: The Emancipation of the Jews; Early Zionism; the Holocaust
Week 14: May 16, 2027
The Jewish Year Cycle: The Fall Holidays
Week 15: May 23, 2027
Contemporary Judaisms: Jewish Feminism, LGBTQ Jews, BIPOC Jews; Zionism today
Tzeh u’lmad: “Now Go and Study!”