Torah Study
Every Shabbat morning from 9:00 to 10:00 AM (in the Beit Kehillah, on Zoom and live stream; check the calendar for class dates and links to class registration pages) a large and enthusiastic group comes together for Torah Study. Members of the Beth Am clergy teach this class, which focuses on a thoughtful reading of the parashah of the week, exploring the historical, ethical and spiritual questions raised by the text.
We explore Torah on three levels:
- What meaning did it hold in its original ancient Near East setting?
- How have our sages and commentators understood the text over the centuries?
- What personal and communal meaning does it hold for us today?
Every session offers learning, lively interchange and ample opportunity for questions and discussion. People of all levels and backgrounds are welcome, and Hebrew knowledge is not required. No prior study of the Torah or Hebrew knowledge is needed. It is not necessary to read ahead or prepare. Although this is an ongoing class, drop-in attendance is welcomed. Be sure to stay after to continue the conversation through the Good Book Cafe breakout room discussions.
- World Union for Progressive Judiasm - Weekly Torah Commentary
- JTS Online includes many different links to Torah Commentary, Holiday information, Programs and Podcasts - go explore and learn.
- Tablet Magazine Online includes news and information from all types of Jewish perspectives.
Interesting Podcasts - Unorthodox: Many good interviews in Unorthodox - most recent an interview with Isaac Mizrahi and there was an excellent different perspective on Purim by Rabbi Ari Lamm.
- JudaismUnbound
Want to listen to a recent Torah Study session recording? Browse through our Torah Study audio file library. To download any of the audio files, right click on the player and select "Save (or download) audio as..."
(For older audio files, please visit our Torah Study audio archive dating back to 2008.)
September 30, 2023 |Yom Rishon shel Sukkot, Leviticus 22.26-23.44
Led by Rabbi Sarah Weissman
2023-09-23 | Haazinu, Deuteronomy 32-1–52
Led by Rabbi Heath Watenmaker
September 9, 2023 | Nitzavim - Vayeilech, Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20, 31:1–30
Led by Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit
September 2, 2023| Ki Tavo, Deuteronomy 26-1–29-8
Led by Rabbi Sarah Weissman
August 26, 2023| Ki Teitzei Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19
Led by Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit
August 19, 2023 | Shof’tim, Deuteronomy 16-18–21-9
Led by Rabbi Heath Watenmmaker
Mon, October 2 2023
17 Tishrei 5784
Schedule
Introduction to Judaism Class
Tuesday, Oct 3rd 7:30p to 9:00p
Talmud Study
Thursday, Oct 5th 12:00p to 1:00p
Congregant-Facilitated Learning: Beth Am Reading Group
Friday, Oct 6th 1:00p to 2:00p
Torah Study
Shabbat, Oct 7th 9:00a to 10:00a
Good Book Cafe
Shabbat, Oct 7th 10:00a to 10:20a
Slow Torah: Lay-Led Torah Study Class
Sunday, Oct 8th 9:00a to 10:00a
Beginning Prayerbook Hebrew
Tuesday, Oct 10th 7:00p to 8:15p
Introduction to Judaism Class
Tuesday, Oct 10th 7:30p to 9:00p
Beth Am Gesharim (Bridges) Presents a Wise Aging Forum
Wednesday, Oct 11th 2:00p to 3:00p
From Animosity to Solidarity: Jews and Chinese in San Francisco from the Gold Rush to the Present
Wednesday, Oct 11th 7:00p to 8:30p
We strive to live as a holy community whose study and practice of Judaism inspires and challenges us to "do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8).