Join us as we explore the basics of Judaism. This is our beginner friendly course, introducing you to the concepts of faith, tradition, culture, and lifestyle of the Jewish people. Over the past 5 years, Rebbetzin Keturah has successfully taught this course to our students, with many of them going forward on their own to successfully complete conversion programs in their own local community. With Rabbi Yehezqel co-teaching special exclusive content within the course as well, our Jewish Lifestyle Course serves as a gateway for those thinking about conversion in the future. Even if you have no desire to convert, this course is a great resource to learn more about your faith outside of the religious duty on Shabbat and is excellent for those coming out of Christianity/Messianic faith, as well as those Messianics who want to know more about the Jewish faith to move toward a more Traditional Jewish lifestyle. We recommend new students and those new to our organization to take this class before joining some of the other more advanced classes because you will then understand the concepts within Judaism better and go into those other courses with a fresh mindset.
The Jewish Lifestyle Course Spring/Summer 2024
DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: APRIL 30TH, 2024
Course Synopsis: An 8–10-week – Introduction to Judaism Course with Rebbetzin Keturah
Classes will be on Sunday nights around 8pm EST.
Price: $400 Includes- Live Virtual sessions, weekly PDF notes, & the printed Study Guide book
Participants will be taught how to live a traditional Jewish lifestyle which includes the following:
- Judaism 101 – Basics of the faith & Traditional Judaism defined (including learning the differences in the mainstream sects of Judaism- Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Ultra-orthodox, etc.)
- Community & Family – The true reason for joining Israel is to join the community with special emphasis on the family, traditions & passing on the Torah to each generation, which is key to Judaism’s survival.
- Shabbat – Traditionally Observing Shabbat & new modern methods defined.
- Kashrut –Kosher 101 laws of food consumption & preparation.
- *Family Purity/Niddah- Laws of Separation during a women’s monthly cycle & purity standards regarding the sexual nature between husband of wife for a healthy marriage (*A Special Session exclusive to the course, taught by Rabbi Yehezqel).
- Daily Prayer & Blessings- Men & Women’s Roles & Differences & Synagogue etiquette
- Speech, Dress & Symbols of Tradition – Modesty, G-dly speech & religious items
- Special Stages of Life (Birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Marriage, & Death)
- The Jewish Calendar- Living Life from Holy Day to Holy Day
- Issues in Life (Divorce, Abortion, Birth Control & The Jewish Point of View, Balancing A Jewish Lifestyle at home, work and in the world)
Course Goal: The goal of this course is to help motivate participants to take what is being taught and apply it in their lives at home, at work and in their day-to-day dealings. It is also hoped that everyone can learn how to develop their own Family Traditions within the Jewish Framework. Everyone is encouraged to find themselves within Judaism and not to take on other cultural identities without being true to oneself.
Furthermore, participants should be able to apply what is learned so they can live a more Traditional Jewish lifestyle outside of when they are in religious settings. This does not mean to be Torah observant as that has its own definition. Students will discuss and learn the difference in this course as they compare the different sects of Judaism and learn how Judaism differs depending on where the people are from (Ashkenazi East European/American, Sephardic -Mix of Italian/Spanish/Israeli, Ladino -Spanish/ Italian/Latin Jews, and Jews from the Middle East/Africa- Moroccan, Israeli, Iranian, Yemin, Nigerian Yoraba, Ethophian, etc.)
It is hoped that participants will learn to identify themselves within the people of Israel no matter what background they come from and to confidently represent a Traditional Jewish lifestyle openly without fear of rejection and without trying “too hard” to belong or “look” Jewish according to what the culture or stereotype is.
Conversion Disclaimer:
This is a course that is general given in some form or another in most mainstream Jewish settings to help prepare converts. While we do not convert, if this is a goal of yours, this class will help you mentally prepare for the task of joining the people of Israel when it is time for you to do so in your community. When class is over, please contact us if deciding to convert and we will help guide you towards that goal.
Traditional Judaism Defined in this course:
For the purpose of this course, traditional Judaism is defined as practicing a form or level of Judaism globally recognized by any of the mainstream official Jewish sects of Reformed Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Modern Orthodox, Orthodox, and Ultra-Orthodox- with respects to the minor sects within this range of Jewish thought such as Reconstructive Judaism, Progressive Judaism, Non-denominational Judaism, Chabad, Breslov, etc.
Please note that Messianic Judaism is not globally recognized as a part of Judaism and is instead associated with Christianity, even though many Messianic Jews gather in places called synagogues and study Jewish thought. This sect of “Jews” is not a part of mainstream even though other sects which may be less Torah-observant because a Jew is a Jew regardless of how much they may be “Torah observant” or not. Also note that the role of the Messiah will be not be discussed in class outside of what Traditional Judaism teaches.
This class only focuses on the tenants of Judaism and the lifestyle of Judaism- meaning how to do the everyday things of life (family, work, friends, community) in a way that pleases HaShem and is a part of the historical and traditional culture and community of the Jewish people.
