Through the universal language of text, SAJ members of all ages and backgrounds will gather for a thoughtful encounter with texts about the land of Israel and the themes of exile and home. This class will follow a Reconstructionist civilizational lens, moving from biblical texts to help us better understand Jewish traditions’ multiple perspectives and to help us better consider our own beliefs and relationships to the land and the people of the land.

Led by Rabbi Lauren, the goals of this class are to a) better understand Jewish tradition’s multi-faceted relationship with the land of Israel and the concepts of home and exile and b) for these texts to provide a mirror and an opening for our own thoughts, feelings of pride and/or struggle, and personal truths. We ask participants to come with an open mind so we can create a sanctuary of kavod (respect) and as applicable machlochet l’shem shamayim (disagreement for the sake of heaven).  

A few notes: We keep the group intentionally small (up to 12 people) to ensure an open and supportive space. This is the second opportunity for folks to take this course, after the first cohort last fall.

We also ask that you commit to attending as many sessions as possible and if you know you cannot attend at least 4 sessions, please wait till the next time we offer this class.

No Jewish thinker of the past century had a greater impact on the worldview of more Jews than Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan.
No scholar has done more to plumb the depths of Kaplan’s thought and expound his teaching than Dr. Mel Scult. The SAJ and The Mordecai Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood are honored to make available “Eight Core Principles of Kaplan’s Philosophy,” a summary of Kaplan’s approach by Dr. Scult in honor of his 90th birthday—also the 90th anniversary of the publication of Kaplan’s great work, Judaism as a Civilization.

Read our online flipbook here.

Talmud torah (torah study) is an integral part of the SAJ, an opportunity to learn not only facts and information but for self-discovery and spiritual growth. Adult Learning regularly takes many forms at SAJ, from learning facilitated by lay leaders at the tish on Saturday mornings, to an interactive torah study each and every Saturday in which we seek understanding and meaning from the week’s torah portion to Pathways to Prayer to Parenting Conversations and Makom Shabbaton Parent and Family Group Learning. In addition to these regularly scheduled opportunities, we also offer classes, lectures, and workshops including the following:

Share Your Knowledge and Enthusiasm at a Tish Before Shabbat Services.

The tish program has been going for more than 20 years. We meet at 9:00 AM on Shabbat and receive a presentation on a topic that falls into one of the following categories:

• An aspect of Jewish civilization (history, literature, the arts, customs, etc.)
• An issue in the Jewish community
• Any general ethical or social justice issue
• Yourself (your work, or your passion, something that helps us know you better)

Tish speakers generally offer a 15 to 20 minute presentation followed by discussion. But sometimes, especially for a current controversial issue, a short introduction is followed by a discussion.  Click here to see a list of all tish topics and presenters.

Please reach out to the Tish & Content Committee at Tish@saj.nyc  if you would like to be added to the schedule.

Please join us as we discuss scintillating fiction and memoir — come to one session, or attend them all! Our moderator, Nancy Ludmerer, has published prize-winning fiction and memoir and has an MA in English literature. With Nancy’s guidance, the group invariably gains a deeper understanding and appreciation of the work under discussion. We meet on Zoom every other month or so and welcome new participants. We hope in the future to go back to in-person meetings, with wine, cheese, and other edible delights. Please contact Nancy Ludmerer to join, or for more information.