Thank you for your interest in Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning.
Starting in 2016, Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning courses took place in living rooms and synagogue meeting rooms, creating safe, intimate spaces to strengthen social connections through shared learning journeys. Open Circle Jewish Learning has expanded with online learning to include learners from as far as the FIJI Islands and Australia!
Open Circle Jewish Learning brings groups of friends together to learn with veteran and new instructors. Designed for learners of all backgrounds, sometimes groups approach the Open Circle Jewish Learning team to request a course in a specific topic, and we work to match instructors with groups. Sometimes instructors submit course proposals (in May and November) after coordinating with student groups.
Some topics that groups of students are interested in are: Jewish Texts, Ritual, Israel, History, Jewish Thought, Holidays, Calendar, Social Action, Young Adults, Mussar, Spirituality, Parenting, Grandparenting, Art and Culture. We welcome the opportunity to match your interests with instructors.
For instructors wishing to teach through Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning, we welcome the opportunity to understand your particular passions and keep your name handy for groups looking to learn a topic within your area of expertise.
Student groups and instructors are invited to contact the Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning Team at opencircleregistration@hebrewcollege.edu.
Course Title: Jewish Narratives in Pop Culture: From Shtisel to Sex and the City Program:Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning Instructor:Elisha Gechter Day and Time: Mondays, 8:00-9:30 p.m. Eastern Time; *hybrid sessions, 7-8:30 p.m. Dates: *10/23, 10/30; 11/6, 11/27, 12/4, *12/11, 2023 (6 sessions) Location: Online and hybrid *(first and final session will be in-person at Lehrhaus in Cambridge, MA). Fee: $150 Financial scholarships available
Ever finished binging The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and wish you had a “book club” to discuss the episodes with? Or did you watch all of Shtisel and want to not only eat all the food on screen but also ask someone else about what you were curious about in the show? Come study the ways that Jews show up in today’s pop culture. Examine which narratives are being raised that are stereotypical and where creators are broadening their portrayals of Jewish identity- be it the weddings and b-mitzvah scenes that appear everywhere from Sex and the City to Crazy Ex Girlfriend and The Mindy Project or the Mikvah and Shabbat scenes in Orange is the New Black and Transparent. Come see examples of overtly Jewish shows and characters, as well as ones that are more subtle, or even “masked.” Are you left feeling proud or cringing as you watch these depictions? Discuss with an eclectic group how these characters and narratives land with you and why representation matters.
Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning classes are for learners of all backgrounds.
Canadian and other registrants from outside the US: please email Cindy Bernstein to complete your registration. We apologize for the inconvenience.
