Becoming an Aleph Fellow – Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are you looking for in an Aleph Fellow?
We are looking for adult Jewish learners to join five cohorts around the Bay Area. Each cohort will be composed of intellectually curious and communally engaged individuals, highly motivated to be part of and contribute to a learning community. The Bay Area Community Talmud Circle requires a commitment of time and energy from each participant. Attendance at all sessions is critical, and there will be reading and other preparation between meetings. Talmud study is a community process, and we believe that a breadth of experience adds to the richness of the program. We encourage people of all ages and Jewish backgrounds to apply, whether you have never opened a page of Talmud or have had the pleasure of doing so already.

Where do Aleph Fellows meet?
In the launch of the 2011-2012 academic year, there will be five primary cohorts: San Francisco at the JCCSF; North Peninsula at the PJCC in Foster City; South Peninsula at the OFJCC in Palo Alto; East Bay at Lehrhaus Judaica in Berkeley; and Marin County at the OMJCC in San Rafael.

Who is teaching?
Everyone learns Talmud, however, the people leading the learning are Professor Deena Aranoff in Marin and Berkeley; Rabbi Lavey Derby at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center;  Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan in San Francisco and Palo Alto; and Dorothy Richman in Berkeley.

Peretz Wolf-Prusan

Deena Aranoff

Lavey Derby

Dorothy Richman

 

 

 

 

 


What are we learning?
The curriculum is based upon the classes developed for the Global Day of Jewish Learning 2010 including topics on leadership, tzedakah, miracles, God, and love. Lehrhaus is working with the Aleph Society to develop a specific Bay Area course syllabus.

How much does the program cost?
The $135 participation fee is your contribution towards the cost of The Bay Area Community Talmud Circle, which includes nine sessions, webinars, materials, and the special program with Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.

Adin Steinsaltz

What is the commitment?
The Aleph Fellowship is a nine-session program that runs one Sunday a month from October through June. Excellent attendance is required. Aleph Fellows come together for hevruta study (partner study) and discussion on nine Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 am. There will be webinars connecting all cohorts, as well as exclusive learning with Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.

 

 

Who are the organizers?
Lehrhaus Judaica is a unique non-denominational center for adult Jewish studies serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Lehrhaus courses, conferences, and tours are open to the public, regardless of age, religion or ethnicity.

The Aleph Society exists to support the work of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz around the globe, and his mission to make the Talmud and other sources of Jewish knowledge accessible to all Jews, and the development of Jews, Jewish identity, and Jewish communities.

 

Kevah’s mission is to catalyze, facilitate and support pluralistic study of traditional Jewish texts. Kevah enables adults to explore the spiritual and intellectual richness of the Jewish textual tradition in a comfortable setting.

Why must I apply?
We just want to know a little more about you. Additionally, The Aleph Society, Lehrhaus Judaica and Kevah are making a serious investment in this project and require equally committed participants. The Talmud is described as an ocean, so, before you dive in, take a breath. We are confident that you will enjoy the swim.

How do I apply?
Registration is now closed. Please check back next year!

The Bay Area Community Talmud Circle is supported by generous grants from the Laszlo N. Tauber Family Foundation and the Koret Foundation. Special thanks to both organizations for their support.