Torah Study
Torah Study
About
Resources
Recent Recordings
Archive
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
Torah Study Audio Archive
Browse through recent Torah Study recordings below. 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, with sessions dating back to 2008.)
May 31, 2025 |B’midba, Numbers 1-1–4-20
Led by Rabbi Shoshanah Nambi
May 24, 2025 | B'har, Leviticus 25-1–27-34
Lead by Rabbi Heath Watenmaker
May 17, 2025 | Emor, Leviticus 21-1–24-23
Lead by Rabbi Yoel Kahn
May 10, 2025| Acharei Mot - K’doshim, Leviticus 16-1–20-27
Lead by Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff
May 3, 2025 | Tazria, Leviticus 12-1–15-33
Led by Yoel Kahn
Apri 26, 2025 | 2025-04-26 Sh'mini Leviticus 9-1–11-47
Led by Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, Scholar in Residence
Tue, June 10 2025
14 Sivan 5785
Schedule

The World of Midrash, Taught by Rabbi Yoel Kahn
Tuesday, Jun 10th 7:00p to 8:30pA midrash is “a story about a story in the Torah” (or the Tanakh [Hebrew Bible]). One of the oldest forms of Jewish commentary, midrash moves beyond the “literal” reading of any text to bring imaginative and creative interpretations.

Philosophy Minyan
Wednesday, Jun 11th 12:00p to 1:30pJoin this lunchtime monthly series on Zoom. All are welcome to join in an interactive and thought-provoking exploration of topics at the intersection of philosophy, Jewish thought and contemporary issues.

Talmud Study Led by Rabbi Heath Watenmaker
Thursday, Jun 12th 12:00p to 1:00pThis month, Torah Study will be led by Rabbi Heath Watenmaker. In this weekly class we study selections from the Talmud and other rabbinic sources.

Hineini! Here I Am! — Queer Jewish Liturgy Old and New, Taught by Rabbi Yoel Kahn
Thursday, Jun 12th 7:30p to 9:00pThis session, taught by Rabbi Yoel Kahn in honor of LGBTQ Pride, will examine the creation and evolution of early LGBTQ-informed and -inclusive liturgy in the 1970s and 1980s.

Congregant-Facilitated Learning: Beth Am Reading Group
Friday, Jun 13th 1:00p to 2:00pJoin us for explorations of various contemporary Jewish writings.

Torah Study
Shabbat, Jun 14th 9:00a to 10:00aOn Shabbat morning, join a member of the Beth Am clergy for a session of Torah study. Stay for the Good Book Cafe!

Good Book Cafe
Shabbat, Jun 14th 10:00a to 10:20aJoin other Torah Study participants for some discussion and schmoozing.

The World of Midrash, Taught by Rabbi Yoel Kahn
Tuesday, Jun 17th 7:00p to 8:30pA midrash is “a story about a story in the Torah” (or the Tanakh [Hebrew Bible]). One of the oldest forms of Jewish commentary, midrash moves beyond the “literal” reading of any text to bring imaginative and creative interpretations.

Congregant-Facilitated Learning: Beth Am Reading Group
Friday, Jun 20th 1:00p to 2:00pJoin us for explorations of various contemporary Jewish writings.

Torah Study
Shabbat, Jun 21st 9:00a to 10:00aOn Shabbat morning, join a member of the Beth Am clergy for a session of Torah study. Stay for the Good Book Cafe!
Congregation Beth Am | 26790 Arastradero Road | Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 | (650) 493-4661
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).
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