"Torah study is the motor that drives Jewish life..." Rabbi Eric Yoffie, November 2003
Adult Jewish Learning is a priority of the Reform Movement, part of the lifelong pursuit of Jewish literacy and intellectual growth.
The Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning offers programs and resources to empower both the individual and the congregation in the pursuit of Jewish learning.
Israel Kallah 2009
Join us for our third annual Israel Kallah May 14-24, 2009 Saltz International Education Center
Participation is limited to 22 Cost: $USD 1800 not including airfare
CANCELLATION POLICY If you must cancel your registration, please contact the Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning immediately at 212.650.4110 or educate@urj.org. Cancellations received before March 15, 2009 will entitle a registrant to a full refund, less $500 per person non-refundable deposit. Cancellations received after March 15 and more than 30 days before the start of the Adult Study Program in Israel will entitle a registrant to a full refund, less $600 per person administrative fee and deposit. Seventy-five percent of the total fee (less $600) will be refunded for cancellations received 7 to 29 days before. Cancellations received less than 7 days before will result in the registrant forfeiting 50 percent of the total fee.
Kallah 2009
Dear Kallah-niks and Future Kallah-niks, Knowing how important Kallah is in the lives of those who cherish time for study, prayer and spiritual renewal, I write with the sad news that we are going to suspend Kallah for one year. Read More
For the Individual
10 Minutes of Torahsends you a daily e-mail page of study on the topics of Reform Voices of Torah, Hebrew Connections, Building a Reform Jewish Community, and Jewish world. Sign up for any or all five weekdays by providing your e-mail address.
Reform Voices of Torahis a weekly liberal commentary on the Torah portion of the week (distributed on Mondays as part of 10 Minutes of Torah), Reform Voices of Torah is written by four scholars and features additional commentaries by rabbis, cantors and educators.
Eilu V'eilu- These and those-This point/counterpoint model involves a dialogue between two scholars on issues of concern to the Reform Movement and encourages your active participation.
Significant Jewish Booksis a project of Reform Judaism Magazine and the Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning. Each issue of Reform Judaism magazine features two selected books, including reviews and additional background information.
Intensive Adult Study Opportunities-Throughout the year, the Union presents a variety of intensive study experiences with the finest scholars and experts in their field. These retreats and kallot are held in our camps, on college campuses and in Israel.
Reform Judaism Magazine Online- Read select articles from current and past issues, access discussion guides focusing on major topics, take interactive quizzes to test your Jewish knowledge, vote your view on the issues of the day, research by keyword articles published since 1990, and more.
For the Congregation
Scholar-in-Residence Database More than 100 Reform rabbis, cantors and educators have agreed to become Union scholars, available to teach your congregants in their chosen fields. Three indexes--Last Name, State or Province and Area of Expertise--make for quick and easy selections. All financial and logistical arrangements will be negotiated between scholar and synagogue. Don't pass up this opportunity to bring master teachers to your community!
Congregation of Learners Award Programhas been established to recognize those synagogues that provide an exceptional atmosphere of varied and comprehensive learning opportunities, those that have imbued their synagogue communities with a culture of learning.
The Nachshon Award Since each synagogue is at a different point as it journeys to become a Congregation of Learners, the Department of Lifelong Jewish Learning has developed the Nachshon Awards to recognize congregations in the process of transformation. The award is named after the Israelite Nachshon, who the Talmud describes as the first to step forward and go down into the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army in hot pursuit.
The KEVA program recognizes and honors adults in Reform congregations who accumulate 100 hours of Jewish study, exemplifying ongoing study as a fixed habit.
Adult B'nei Mitzvah : Affirming Our IdentityThis guide is for program facilitators, rabbis, cantors and educators who are developing intensive study programs for adults. It provides the tools you need to begin teaching this program and worthwhile suggestions to bring to you already-existing course of study. Each chapter speaks to a different aspect of the adult b'nei mitzvah program.
Lilmod Ul'lameid : To Learn and to Teach: URJ Adult Study Tools (2003)A handbook of adult learning resources, programs, videos and curricula developed by departments throughout the Union. The programs are arranged thematically under the following headings: Prayer, Ethics, Hebrew, Israel and Social Action.
“Midrash & Medicine: Imagining Wholeness”.Save the date: May 11 – 13, 2009 (and budget ahead) for an interdisciplinary conference. This event, to be held at the beautiful Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California, is being convened by the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health at HUC-JIR together with the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center. Learn more.
Live from NY's 92nd Street Y: This program brings live satellite broadcasts to non-profit groups throughout North America.
The Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvaniaoffers an online resource for book clubs andindividualreaders interested in reading works of modern Jewish literature. This resource includes introductory remarks and discussion questions for a number of noteworthy books
