Introduction to the Jewish Experience: Jewish Unity and Diversity

Jewish Unity and Diversity

We will explore things that Jews have in common across the globe, such as prayer services, the prayer book, and kashrut ( keeping kosher), and ways we are distinct, such as Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Mizrahi; movements, such as Reform, Orthodox, etc.; geography; foodways; and culture.

We meet Sunday afternoons at 3:30pm Pacific Time for 90 minutes per class.

This eight-week class is one of three terms that make up the Introduction to the Jewish Experience course.

Location: Online via Zoom.

Time: Sundays, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm PT

Dates: March 12, 2023 - May 7, 2023

Introduction to the Jewish Experience is a three-term course taught by Rabbi Ruth Adar. The series is for anyone who wants to acquire a basic Jewish education, or who wishes to learn about Judaism from an adult point of view.

Each term consists of eight weekly classes. The terms may be taken in any order. Participants can take one, two, or three terms.

Tuition is $200 a term, with a “Pay What You Can” option. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Rabbi Ruth does not know who pays full tuition or who pays less.

​No Hebrew is required, no previous knowledge is assumed, and all are welcome, Jewish or not. 

Jewish Time and Life - Fall Term. We will explore the Jewish calendar and holidays, and Jewish lifecycle events. Meets Sunday afternoons at 3:30pm Pacific Time for 90 minutes per class. October 2023.

Jewish History Through Texts - Winter Term. We will explore Jewish history through Jewish texts, from the Bible through modern texts. We will also do some Jewish text study. Meets Sunday afternoons at 3:30pm Pacific Time for 90 minutes per class. January 2024

Jewish Unity and Diversity - Spring Term. We will explore things that Jews have in common across the globe, such as prayer services, the prayer book, and kashrut ( keeping kosher), and ways we are distinct, such as Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Mizrahi; movements, such as Reform, Orthodox, etc.; geography; foodways; and culture. Meets Sunday afternoons at 3:30pm Pacific Time for 90 minutes per class. March 2024.

If you have questions, please contact Rabbi Ruth at coffeeshoprabbi@gmail.com.

Rabbi Ruth Adar has taught students from the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructing Judaism traditions, as well as students who identify as Just Curious.

She welcomes students from many backgrounds: curious about Judaism, converting to Judaism, wanting to understand Jewish relatives better, and/or working in a Jewish environment. She particularly invites students from marginalized Jewish backgrounds: persons of color, LGBTQI+ persons, and students with disabilities.

Rabbi Ruth is a lesbian with disabilities. She grew up in Middle Tennessee, has a degree in economics from the University of Tennessee, a Master’s in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago, as well as a Master's of Arts in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College. She was ordained a Reform rabbi in 2008. Her most cherished title is “GrannyRu,” which is what her grandchildren call her.

She is a member in good standing of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Women’s Rabbinic Network, and the Northern California Board of Rabbis.