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 (bio below). 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.
Make your payment 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.
Torah for Everyone Dates
September 30, 2026
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
March 31, 2027
April 14, 2027
April 28, 2027
May 12, 2027
June 2, 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.
