Torah for Everyone
Explore Jewish teachings. Ask questions. Share your perspective.
“It is not in the skies, that you should say, 'Who among us can go up to the skies and get it for us and teach it to us, so that we may observe it?'... No, the word is very close to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, to observe it.”
- Torah, Book of Deuteronomy 30:12, 14 (adapted translation)
Find modern meaning in an ancient text.
Torah for Everyone is exactly what it sounds like: Torah for everyone, believer and skeptic, Jew and non-Jew, modern and traditional.
Together, we read Jewish texts, explore what they might mean for our lives, and share our reflections and responses to them. There are no experts, only learners and companions on a journey through these teachings.
No Hebrew or previous Jewish knowledge is required. Your teacher, Rabbi Ruth Adar, prepares materials, leads the group, and guides the conversation as a moderator and resource.
Wednesdays • 7:00-9:00 pm PT • Online
October 14, 2026
October 28, 2026
November 11, 2026
December 2, 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 28, 2027
May 5, 2027
May 19, 2027
Program Fees:
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Full Series: $475 — Save $50 compared to individual-class rate
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Single Class Drop-In: $35 each — Registration opens two weeks before each class
Payment may be made online or by check. All participants must submit the registration form.
“I was nervous about taking a class based around a religious text because I don’t consider myself religious. What I found was the opposite of what I expected: an open, casual conversation where discussion and debate were encouraged. I came away feeling more empowered and having a deeper understanding of my Jewish background.”
- Patti, Torah for Everyone participant
Rabbi Ruth Adar understands Judaism as more than a religion: it is a culture, indeed a civilization, and there are many ways to approach it. Whether you are 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.
