Foundations of Judaism

Foundations of Judaism (Wednesdays 7:00-8:00 PM): An open, welcoming space for beginners of all backgrounds, especially those considering or working toward conversion. We meet Wednesday nights on Zoom to explore the big ideas of Jewish life and thought, guided by your questions and interests. The class is open-minded, thoughtful, and shaped by the needs of its participants. Hebrew reading practice is available before or after class for anyone who’d like to learn.

Meets Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM on Zoom

Suggested Bibliography (Continually Updated)

Hebrew Reading
Pronunciation of Consonants, Pronunciation of Vowels, 
Vowelization Chart
Practice א-ה

Theology
Jewish Dogma Lists - Christian Dogma Lists - Islamic Dogma Lists
Maimonides’ 13 Principles of Faith: Original Treatise,
Paraphrased (Ani Maamin), Chart, Liturgical Summary (Yigdal)

Calendar
The Year * The Origins of the Months * The Lunar Cycle
The Week * The Day * Time Telling Vocab * Questions
Day Math
 

Shabbat Observance
Biblical Sources,  Introduction to 39 Melachot, Shabbat Mitzvot
39 Melachot (Prohibited Activities), 39 Melachot Cheat Sheet
Shabbat Study Questions, Video of Munkatcher Rebbe (1933)
 

Holidays
Chanukah: Timeline, Why Chanukah?,
The Evolution of the Chanukah Story, 
Chanukah Blessings, Chanukah Questions

Prayer

Structure of Prayer: Weekday Prayer, Shabbat Prayer, Amidah Structure, Amidah Cheat Sheet

Blessings: Blessing Formula, Four Types, Before Pleasure, Pleasure Blessings Review,  Blessings on Rituals, Blessings of Praise

Kashrut (Dietary Laws)

Kashrut Questions, Reasons for Kashrut, Biblical Sources, Chart

Liturgy Reading/Singing

Daily:
   Upon Waking (Modeh/Modah Ani) - Text, Audio
   Blessing on Hand-washing (Netillat Yadayim) - Text/Procedure, Audio
   Post-Bathroom Blessing (Asher Yatzar) - Text, Audio
   Blessings on Torah (Birkhot haTorah) - Text, Audio
   Identity/Appreciation Blessings (Birkhot haShachar) - Text, Audio 
   Shema Paragraph 1 - Text, Reading Audio, Cantillation Audio
Weekday:
   Amida Paragraphs 1-2 - Text, Audio (Weekday)
Shabbat:
   Shalom Aleichem - Text, Classic Tune (Israel Goldfarb), Sixth Street Tune (Michael Shapiro), Shlomo Carlebach Tune
   Eishet Chayil - Text, Classic Tune (Benzion Shenker)
   Friday Night Kiddush - Text, Audio (Nusach), Audio (Musical Ending)
   Nishmat -  Text, Recording
   Anim Zemirot - Text, Recording
Birkat Hamazon:
   Shir HaMaalot - Text, Common Tune, Sixth Street Tune.
   Zimun - Text, Common Tune
   Blessing 1 (Birkat Hazan): Text, Common Tune
   Blessing 2 (Birkat HaAretz): Text, Common Tune