The Union for Reform Judaism sponsors this Introduction to Judaism course in Southern California and Arizona. The Intro course offers a basic foundation in Judaism in 18 sessions. The course is required for persons considering conversion to Judaism, but it is very helpful to Jews-by-birth who seek a refresher course in the principles and practices of Judaism, as well as interfaith couples.
To enroll in an Intro Course, download and print the Registration Form I and mail it to the Union for Reform Judaism (see address on the form) along with your payment (personal check or money order). Tuition for the 18-week course is $240. A non-refundable $50 registration fee is included. The tuition fee allows for either one or two people to attend, and we encourage couples to attend together. If you are yourself a member of a URJ-affiliated Reform congregation, the tuition is $170.
Required textbooks: You will also have to purchase the books for the class (appr. $140). You can buy them at your local bookstore or order online. See Textbook List for details. We recommend that you purchase the books before the class starts.
If the URJ Introduction to Judaism locations are inaccessible to you, please check with your local synagogue which might offer its own Introduction course. View the listing of URJ-affiliated congregations.
At Congregation Emanu El in Redlands (1473 Ford St. Redlands, California 92373), Rabbi Doug Kohn teaches Introduction to Judaism. Please contact Rabbi Kohn directly to register: rabbidougkohn@emanuelsb.org or (909) 307-0400. At Temple Beth El in Riverside, Rabbi Suzanne Singer teaches the course. Please contact the office at Temple Beth El, tbe2675@aol.com or (951) 684-4511, for further information and registration.
Why take the course? For some things in life, it is never too late. Somehow, when you were younger, maybe you didn't learn what you'd like to know about the culture and religion of the Jewish people. Perhaps, you grew up in a place where there was no synagogue. Perhaps, you weren't quite ready to appreciate the Jewish education you were offered. Perhaps your parents didn't think you needed a Jewish education. Perhaps you now seek a way to live a fuller and richer Jewish family life. Perhaps you now want to narrow the cultural gaps between you and your children. Perhaps you are seeking conversion to Judaism. Whatever the reason, URJ Introduction to Judaism offers you a time and place to broaden your Jewish awareness. URJ Introduction to Judaism can launch you on a path to authentic personal Jewish identity. This course can help you acquire a basic Jewish vocabulary. You can gain intellectual and experiential knowledge of Judaism as well as the skills necessary to "do Jewish." Intro is designed to be a meaningful, educational experience for any person interested in knowing and understanding Judaism and Jewish life. The course is organized around the major themes of Judaism, and around the holidays and events in the Jewish life cycle. Included in the URJ Introduction to Judaism course are the following concepts:
Belief in God
Birth
Conversion to Judaism
Death and Mourning
Israel and Zionism
Jewish Culture
Jewish History
Jewish Holidays
Marriage and Family
Personal Responsibility
Repentance and the Path of Righteousness
Worship and Spirituality
This is an 18-week course that usually meets once a week for two hours. Courses are offered on weekday evenings and some Sundays in many different locations in Southern California and Arizona. See the Schedule of Classes on this website for the current offerings.
Course Requirements
Students who complete all the requirements of the URJ Introduction to Judaism will receive a Certificate of Completion. A Bet Din (a panel of 3 rabbis) for conversion to Judaism will require that the candidate present a Certificate as part of the conversion process. To earn a Certificate of Completion for the course, you must fulfill the following requirements:
Attend all eighteen class sessions. To make up an absence, you may attend a class on the same topic at any URJ Introduction to Judaism course location. Sometimes your instructor will offer an alternative make-up assignment.
Attend at least one Shabbaton.
Attend at least three Shabbat services and submit a report to your instructor about your experiences, reactions and impressions about each of these.
Complete all homework assignments and journal entries the instructor assigns.
Complete the take-home Summary Review. This is an open-book Final Exam and you are encouraged to use all the materials you receive in class to write this paper. You will obtain the Summary Review Questions from your instructor at the 14th class session. When you complete the Summary Review, you should submit it directly to your instructor who will review it and may ask you to revise some sections.
Shabbaton
One requirement of the URJ Introduction to Judaism program in Southern California is your attendance at a Shabbaton. The word Shabbaton is related to the word Shabbat. Shabbatonim (plural) take place on Saturdays on various dates and at various locations. The Shabbaton usually runs from 10 am until 3 pm. Time, location and other specifics will be publicized in flyers distributed by your instructor. Although the specific programs of each Shabbaton will vary somewhat, you can expect to enjoy yourself experiencing prayer, study, singing, and discussion about Judaism with a group of rabbis and your peers. We encourage you to attend a Shabbaton about six weeks into the course to make the most of this meaningful experience.
Sponsoring Rabbi
We strongly encourage you to meet with a rabbi prior to taking the course, and during the time you are enrolled in the classes. If you know a rabbi, make an appointment with him or her to discuss why URJ Introduction to Judaism could be right for you. Or call our office and we'll help you find a rabbi.
Instructors
Instructors are usually rabbis ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the seminary for Reform Judaism. These liberal rabbis encourage students to raise questions and enter into spirited discussions on all topics.
URJ Introduction to Judaism reflects the approach of Reform Judaism. This two-hundred-year-old Jewish movement includes the largest number of religious Jews in America. It has forged a dynamic synthesis of tradition and modernity that allows for an encompassing yet flexible Jewish consciousness.
Every student in URJ Introduction to Judaism is encouraged to select a Sponsoring Rabbi to be his or her mentor guide. All Reform rabbis in Southern California have indicated their readiness to become Sponsor Rabbis when asked. The course instructor or someone at the Union can help students select a Sponsoring Rabbi.
Intro to Judaism Part II: Prayer (incl. Hebrew for Prayer), Jewish History, Jewish Culture and Israel
In the spring of 2010, we will offer Introduction to Judaism II in Los Angeles. This class consists of three six-week modules. Each module is self-contained. Students are invited to sign up for all three of them or take them individually. The Prayer module has a 30-min Hebrew component that introduces students to basic Hebrew reading skills to enhance their prayer experience. The tuition per individual students is $90 per six-week module or $250 for the entire 18-week course ($125/ $350 per couple).
If you have any questions about the Union for Reform Judaism's Introduction to Judaism program or if you would like to discuss whether it is right for you, please feel free to contact Rabbi Sabine Meyer, the Intro Director: smeyer@urj.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
Union for Reform Judaism Introduction to Judaism – Southern California/Arizona 3077 University Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 765-2660
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