Open Circle Jewish Learning
Open Circle Jewish Learning brings together groups of curious, engaged learners with exceptional educators to dive into an array of compelling topics and practices.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all Hebrew College Community Learning classes, including Open Circle Jewish Learning, are currently being offered online, including Fall 2020 and Winter/Spring 2021 classes.
- time Adults of all ages
- location Virtual living rooms, synagogues, and community spaces
- duration No more than 8 Sessions, 1.5 hours each
- Open Circle Jewish Learning Courses
- Open Circle Jewish Learning Courses
- About Open Circle
- Faculty & Staff
In case you missed it
Learn with Tema Smith, who spoke about “American Jews and Whiteness: A Complicated Conversation” on February 22, 2021.
Winter/Spring 2021 Open Circle Jewish Learning Offerings:
This Winter/Spring we are pleased to offer a wide array of classes for every interest. Open Circle Jewish Learning: 20s & 30s; Social Action; Gender Studies; Arts and Culture; Mindfulness; and Texts and Traditions. For all course descriptions, visit the Community Education Course Guide. For detailed biographies of Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning Faculty, please visit the Community Education Faculty webpage. To register, click on “Register” corresponding to each course listed in the course tables below.*
Let us help you if you are registering for more than one course at a time. Please contact Anna Katsevman at akatsevman@hebrewcollege.edu to register for multiple courses.
*Currently we can accept on-line payment using MasterCard or VISA credit cards only.
Open Circle Jewish Learning: 20s & 30s
| Program | Course Title | Instructor | Time | Dates | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Working for Revelation: A Journey Through the Sefirot (7 sessions) | Rabbi David Curiel and Rabbi Getzel Davis | Thursdays, 8-9:30pm | April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 2021 | $105 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | A Shifting Landscape: Jewish Identity in 21st Century America (7 sessions) | Akiva Nelson | Sundays, 5-6:30pm | April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 2021 | $105 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Modern Conundrums: Western Ethics and Jewish Law on The 21st Century’s Hardest Questions (8 sessions) | Rabbi Getzel Davis, Dr. Leah Rosenberg and Sydney Levine | Tuesdays, 8-9:30pm | April 6, 13,20, 27, May 4, 11, 25, June 1, 2021 | $120 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Angry Seas, Tender Skies: Learning Climate Resilience Through Midrash (3 sessions) | Rabbi Laura Bellows | Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm | May 12, 19, 26, 2021 | $45 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Spiraling Through Time: Shmitah 2021 (7 sessions) | Leora Mallach and Rabbi Getzel Davis | Tuesdays, 8-9:30pm | February 2, 9, 16, 23 March 2, 9, 16, 2021 | $105 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | ZIVUG: Transition to Marriage (7 sessions) | Rabbi Getzel Davis | Wednesdays, 8-9:30pm | February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 2021 | $105 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Dawn: Dancing through the Darkness with Rebbe Nachman of Breslev (8 sessions) | Rabbi David Curiel and Rabbi Getzel Davis | Thursdays, 8-9:30pm | February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 | $120 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Baking and Breaking Bread Across the Diaspora (6 sessions) | Sara Gardner | Sundays, 4-5:30pm | March 7, 14, 21, April 11, 18, 25, 2021 | $90 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Beyond Fiddler: Jewish Identity in American Theatre (8 sessions) | Elliot Lazar | Mondays, 7:30-9pm | March 8, 15, 22, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 2021 | 120$ | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Grappling with a Nation Divided: Torah for Our Times (8 sessions) | Eric Feld | Tuesdays, 8:15-9:45pm | March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021 | $120 | This class has been cancelled. |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Capturing Folk Wisdom: "The Dybbuk" and S. Ansky (6 sessions) | Rabbi Noam Lerman | Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm | March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2021 *NOTE NEW DATES* | $90 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | Mensch Reimagined: How Masculine People Build a Culture of Nurturance (7 sessions) | Ian Schiffer | Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm | March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 17 (Shabbat), 21 and 28, 2021 *NOTE NEW DATES* | $105 | Register |
| OCJL 20s and 30s | From Shabbat to Shavuot; Jewish Practices and Personalities Across the Globe (8 sessions) | Elisha Gechter | Thursdays, 8-9:30pm | March 18, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021 *NOTE NEW DATES* | $120 | Register |
Open Circle Jewish Learning: Social Action
| Program | Title | Instructor | Time | Date | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCJL Social Action | ZIVUG: Activist Couples Transitioning to Marriage (7 sessions) | Rabbi Getzel Davis | Wednesdays, 8-9:30pm | April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 12, 19, 26, 2021 | $126 | Register |
| OCJL Social Action | Shmitta: A Year of Letting Go---Jewish Practices of Justice, Freedom and Equality (6 sessions) | Rabbi Dr. Natan Margalit and Kohenet Keshira Halev Fife | Wednesdays, 8-9:30pm | April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 2021 | $108 | Register |
| OCJL Social Action | What to Eat: Food Choice Dilemmas in a Jewish Context (7 sessions) | Leora Mallach and Michelle Klieger | Wednesdays, 7:30-9 | March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 2021 | $126 | This class has been cancelled. |
| OCJL Social Action | Fat Torah: Building Communities of Belonging for Every Body (8 sessions) | Rabbi Minna Bromberg | Sundays, 9:30-11am | March 7, 14, 21, April 11, 18, 25 May 2, 9, 2021 | $144 | Register |
| OCJL Social Action | Wondrous Connecting: Weaving Ourselves into the More-Than-Human World (3 sessions) | Rabbi Katy Allen and Rabbi Josh Breindel | Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm | March 10, 17, 24, 2021 | $54 | Register |
| OCJL Social Action | Transformative Philanthropy: Grounding in Jewish Tradition to Give for the Long Haul (6 sessions) | Molly Schulman | Thursdays, 7:30-9pm | March 18, April 1, 15, 29, May 13, 27, 2021 | $108 | Register |
Open Circle Jewish Learning: Classic
Open Circle Jewish Learning Classic: Arts and Culture
| Program | Title | Instructor | Time | Date | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCJL Classic, Arts and Culture | Ritual Hebrew Calligraphy (6 sessions) | Rachel Jackson with Leana Tapnack (ASL) | Tuesdays 6-7:30pm | March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021 | $162 and Course Materials Kit: www.binahdesign.com/opencircle (order by March 1 to receive materials by start of first class) | Full |
| OCJL Classic, Arts and Culture | Creating Each Day: An Omer Maker Space for All Ages (7 sessions) | Rabbi Laura Bellows | Thursdays, 7-8:30pm | April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 2021 Note Revised Dates | $189 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Arts and Culture | Havurat Yeztirah – Jewish Composition as Spiritual Practice (7 sessions) | Jackson Mercer | Tuesdays, 8-9:30pm | Summer 2021 Dates TBD | $189 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Arts and Culture | Watch and Learn (8 sessions) | Layah Lipsker | Tuesdays, 10:30am-12noon | February 9, 23, March 2, 16, April 13, 27, May 11, 25, 2021. | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Arts and Culture | Watch and Learn: The exploration of life through Israeli films (8 sessions) | Layah Lipsker | Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm | February 9, 16, March 2, 16, April 13, 27, May 11, 25, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Arts and Culture | The Life and Poetry of Yehuda Amichai (8 sessions) | Rabbi Daniel Berman | Thursdays, 10:30-12anoon | March 4, 11, 18, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021 | $216 | Cancelled |
| OCJL Classic, Arts and Culture | Disruptive Innovations in Jewish Musical History (6 sessions) | Cantor Matthew Austerklein | Mondays, 8-9:30pm | March 8, 15, 22, April 5, 12, 19, 2021 | $162 | Cancelled |
Open Circle Jewish Learning Classic: Gender Studies
| Program | Title | Instructor | Time | Date | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCJL Classic, Gender Studies | Revolutionary Rabbis: Talmud Study as a Tool for Radical Change (8 sessions) | Frankie Sandmel | Thursdays, 7-8:30pm | April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 2021 Please note the new start date reflects a one week delay from the original start date. | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Gender Studies | Tkhines: Yiddish Yearnings of Women and Gender Non-conforming People (4 sessions) | Rabbi Noam Lerman | Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm | Feb 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2021 | $108 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Gender Studies | Mensch Reimagined: How Masculine People Build a Culture of Nurturance (7 sessions) | Ian Schiffer | Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm | March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 17 (Shabbat), 21 and 28, 2021 *NOTE NEW DATES* | $105 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Gender Studies | King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Biblical Characters and Masculine Architypes (6 sessions) | Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire | Mondays, 7-8:30pm | April 12, 19, 26 May 3, 10, 17, 2021 Please note new dates. | $162 | Cancelled |
Open Circle Jewish Learning Classic: Mindfulness
| Program | Title | Instructor | Time | Date | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Beyond the Basics: Mussar and Middot for Our Time (8 sessions) | Rabbi Eric Gurvis | Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm | March 2, 16, 30 April 13, 27 May 11, 25 June 8, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Biblical Mussar Made Modern – Semester 2 (8 sessions) | Rabbi Carol Glass | Tuesdays 10-11:30am | March 2, 16, 30, April 13, 27, May 11, 25, June 8, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | The Jewish Road to Character – Stepping onto the Mussar Path – MetroWest Sharei Shalom (8 sessions) | Rabbi Eric Gurvis | Wednesdays, 7:30-9 | March 3, 17, 31; April 14, 28; May 12, 26; June 9, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | The Healing Wisdom of the Hebrew Letters: Mystical Messengers for our Time (8 sessions) | Rabbi Matthew Ponak | Thursdays, 7:30-9pm | March 4, 11, 18, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Jewish Mindfulness Meditation for Care Givers: Loving Yourself Too (6 sessions) | Shoshana Cetlin | Thursdays 7-8:30pm | March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 2021 | $162 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Jewish Road to Character: A First Trip Down the Mussar Path - Temple Emanuel (8 sessions) | Rabbi Eric Gurvis | Thursdays, 7:45-9:15pm | March 4, 18, April 1, 15, 29, May 13, 27, June 10, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Mussar for Everyone (7 sessions) | Merry Arnold | Thursdays, 7:15-8:45pm | March 4, 18, April 1, 15, 29, May 13, 27, 2021 | $189 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Embodied Jewish Practice in Daily Life (8 sessions) | Ketriellah Goldfeder | Sundays, 7:30-9pm | March 7, 21, April 11, 25, May 9, 23, June 6, 20 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Advanced Mussar Study Group – Shir Tikvah (8 sessions) | Rabbi Marcia Plumb | Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm | March 9, 23, April 13, 27, May 11, 25, June 8, 15, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Beyond Bowing: A Deep Dive into Embodied Jewish Prayer (6 sessions) | Joshua Schreiber Shalem | Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm | March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 2021 *Note New Dates* | $162 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Cycles and Seasons of the Jewish Year (6 sessions) | Rabbi Sarah Tasman | Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm | March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 2021 | $162 | Cancelled |
| OCJL Classic, Mindfulness | Imagining God (6 sessions) | Genevieve Greinetz | Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm | March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18, June 1, 2021 | 162$ | Cancelled |
Open Circle Jewish Learning Classic: Texts and Traditions
| Program | Title | Instructor | Time | Date | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Revolutionary Rabbis: Talmud Study as a Tool for Radical Change (8 sessions) | Frankie Sandmel | Thursdays, 7-8:30pm | April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 2021 Please note the new start date reflects a one week delay from the original dates. | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Exploring Talmud through the Daily Daf Yomi – Winter (16- 45 minute sessions) | Layah Lipsker | Mondays and Thursdays,9-9:45am | Jan 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28; Feb 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Kaballah of Family (8 sessions) | Layah Lipsker | Mondays, 10:30am-12pm | Feb 8, 22, March 1, 15, April 12, 26 and May 10, 24, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Watch and Learn (8 sessions) | Layah Lipsker | Tuesdays, 10:30am-12noon | February 9, 23, March 2, 16, April 13, 27, May 11, 25, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Watch and Learn: The Exploration of Life through Israeli Films (8 sessions) | Layah Lipsker | Tuesdays,1-2:30pm | Feb 9, 16, March 2, 16, April 13, 27, May 11, 25, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Is Diaspora Good for the Jews? The Politics and Possibilities of Galut (6 sessions) | Aron Wander | Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm | February 23, March 2, 9, 16 , 23, 30, 2021 | $162 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Exploring Talmud through the Daily Daf Yomi – Spring (16- 45 minute sessions) | Layah Lipsker | Mondays and Thursdays,9-9:45am | Mar 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, Apr 5, 8, 12,15, 19, 22, 26, 29, May 3, 6, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Heartfelt Poems to Start the Day: A Discovery of The Daily Psalms (6 sessions) | Jamie Stolper | Mondays, 7:30-9:00pm | March 1, 8, 15, 22, April 5, and 12, 2021 | Cancelled | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Bodies of Water: Exploring Ritual Immersion (3 sessions) | Naomi Malka | Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm | March 9, 16, 23 2021 *NOTE NEW DATES* | $81 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Introduction to Hasidic Stories (6 sessions) | Rabbi Lev Friedman | Tuesdays, 2-3:30pm | March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 2021 | $162 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | All Who Wander are Not Lost (6 sessions) | Layah Lipsker | Wednesdays,7:30-9pm | March 3, 10, 17, 24, April 7, 14, 2021 | $162 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | In Search of Renewal (6 sessions) | Rabbi Or Rose | Wednesdays, 9:30-11am | March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 2021 | $162 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | The Life and Poetry of Yehuda Amichai (8 sessions) | Rabbi Daniel Berman | Thursdays, 10:30-12anoon | March 4, 11, 18, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021 | $216 | Cancelled |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Blessing Hard Times: Jewish Wisdom about Patience, Endurance and Gratitude (5 sessions) | Naomi Gurt Lind | Sundays, 11am-12:30pm | March 7, 14, 21 April 4, 11, 2021 | $135 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Introduction to Halacha: Between Law and Language for Living (8 sessions) | Shoshana Rosenbaum | Mondays, 7:15-8:45pm | March 8, 22, April 5, 19, May 3, 10, 24, June 7, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | Biblical Books You Haven’t Read (Yet) (4 sessions) | Marc Stober | Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm | March 9, 16, 30; April 6, 2021 | $108 | Cancelled |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | The 50th Gate – Counting the Omer (8 sessions) | Rabbi Gavriel Goldfeder | NEW Time/Day: Wednesdays, 9-10:30pm | March 24 ,31; April 7; ,14, 21, 28; May 5, 12, 2021 | $216 | Register |
| OCJL Classic, Texts and Traditions | King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Biblical Characters and Masculine Architypes (6 sessions) | Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire | Mondays, 7-8:30pm | April 12, 19, 26 May 3, 10, 17, 2021 Please note new dates. | $162 | Cancelled |
We have recently moved to a new online payment system. If you encounter any problems, including not receiving a registration confirmation via email for your class, please email Anna Katsevman (akatsevman@hebrewcollege.edu). Please be sure to log out of the system and refresh your history once you have paid for your class, even if you are registering for more than one class or for a second person in the same household. Please note that we only accept payment via credit card or e-check, and all are subject to a 4% administrative fee.
Please note when registering and paying: Hebrew College accepts MasterCard and VISA. Many thanks.
The financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic have created a need to increase our student fees slightly. Thank you for your understanding.
Please note: Those who withdraw from a course before the first session will be given a full refund. If you choose to withdraw from a course after the first session, a $50 administrative fee will be deducted from your refund.
Interested in teaching an Open Circle Class?
If you are a teacher and wish to submit a proposal, please stay tuned for the next opportunity to apply. We are no longer accepting proposals for Winter/Spring 2021.
Want to learn more about Open Circle Jewish Learning?
If you need additional information or want to create your own course, please email Linna Ettinger, Director of Open Circle Jewish Learning, at lettinger@hebrewcollege.edu. Linna can also be reached at 617.559.8813.