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 Courses on this website for the current offerings. 

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.

Shabbaton

One requirement of the URJ Introduction to Judaism program 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 during your eighteen week session. Generally the Shabbaton runs from 10 am until 2 pm but the exact time 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.

Shabbat Blessings:

Candle Blessing

Kiddush (Blessing over wine)

Hamotzi (Blessing over bread)

These blessings are sung by Cantor Aviva Rosenblum, Temple Israel of Hollywood

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. In the Los Angeles area, you can also request, "The Doors Are Open," a directory of Jewish life, which lists the congregations and rabbis in the area.

Course Materials for Instructors (password protected)

Tuition

Tuition for the course is $350. 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 or singles to invite an interested friend.  If you are yourself a member of a URJ-affiliated Reform congregation, the tuition is $275. The fee includes the required textbooks (worth $141.75 if purchased separately).

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. 

Questions?

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 Nicole Roberts, the Intro Registrar, or Arlene Chernow, Director of Outreach, at the Union's regional office. We look forward to speaking with you.

Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)  Introduction to Judaism

Pacific Southwest Regional Office

15760 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1125

Encino, CA  91436

(818) 907-8740  – or call toll free: 1-888-834-8242 

Additional information about becoming a Jew is available at our national website: www.urj.org/outreach/becoming/