Torah for Everyone
Making Torah Meaningful to You
Are you curious about what's in the Torah and whether it might be meaningful to you? While Torah is at the core of Jewish tradition, it can seem intimidating, irrelevant, boring, or even offensive.
Yet, explored from a sophisticated, adult perspective, rather than through a literal understanding or children’s Torah stories, the Torah can be a rich source of wisdom for grappling with today’s real-life issues: ethics, family, work, politics, money, justice...
Join us in exploring the Torah and relevant commentaries in an open environment in this twice-monthly class led by Rabbi Ruth Adar. Each session focuses on a specific portion of the text and issues it addresses.
Newcomers of all ages and backgrounds are always welcome. No prior experience with the Torah or Hebrew is required, and everyone is welcome to explore Jewish wisdom. We recommend registering in advance to receive the reading materials from Rabbi Ruth.
How to Join: We meet online every other Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM PT (dates below). You can attend one session, a few, or the entire series. To learn more, please contact Rabbi Ruth Adar.
Payment Policy:
1. Annual Registration: Register for the year for $475, a $50 discount compared to registering for individual classes.
2. Installment Plan: Split the annual payment into two installments: half at registration and the remaining half in April.
3. Individual Classes: Register for individual classes at a rate of $35 per session.
Pay online through the registration page or by mailing a check. Regardless of your payment method, you must complete the registration form to finalize your enrollment.
New to Torah For Everyone? Try Your First Class Free!
Join us on October 14, 2026, from 7-9 PM on Zoom for a complimentary first class. If you’ve never participated in Torah For Everyone, this is a chance to experience the class before deciding whether you’d like to continue! Sign up for our free trial class here.
Torah for Everyone Dates
October 14, 2026
October 28, 2026
November 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
December 16, 2026
January 6, 2027
January 20, 2027
February 3, 2027
February 17, 2027
March 3, 2027
March 17, 2027
April 7, 2027
April 21, 2027
May 5, 2027
May 19, 2027
Rabbi Ruth Adar understands Judaism as not simply a religion: it is a culture, indeed, a civilization, and there are many ways to approach it. Whether you are born Jewish, feel Jew-ish, love someone Jewish, have a Jewish ancestor, or are just curious about Judaism, all are welcome to explore Jewish life and community with her.
Rabbi Ruth holds an M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago and was ordained by Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. She leads Jewish Gateways' weekly online Shabbat gatherings and has taught popular classes on Jewish topics at Jewish Gateways and elsewhere. She lives in San Leandro with her wife Linda.
