Exploring Judaism

Exploring Judaism is Or Shalom’s umbrella of adult classes for those on the path to discovering Judaism and for those wishing to deepen basic understandings of Jewish holidays, Shabbat, modes of prayer, ritual and more.

LIVING A JEWISH YEAR

Living a Jewish Year is our entry-level exploration. This class delves into each of the Jewish holidays in real time, offering historical perspective, multiple entryways into celebration, and guided ritual and spiritual experience. Some time is also spent on what it means to observe Sabbath. No prerequisites are required.

With Rabbi Hannah Dresner

Monthly, on Mondays 7-9pm; 8 sessions starting Sep 11

Registration requires an interview (for new students) with Rabbi Hannah Dresner, rabbihannah@orshalom.ca.

New students will need to contact Rabbi Hannah before filling out the registration on this page.

Entering students – $540

(There are limited need-based scholarships available; contact Rabbi Hannah Dresner rabbihannah@orshalom.ca)

Returning students pay nothing to renew and refresh.

Or Shalom members of at least one year: Free of charge, space permitting

SOULSPACE: JEWISH DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join Rabbi Arik for this exploration of five daily Jewish practices: prayer, meditation, blessings, tzedakah, and torah study. We will dive into each of these topics as vehicles for creating a personal daily practice of our own. No prior experience necessary.

With Rabbi Arik Labowitz

Rabbi Arik Labowitz is a teacher, musician, and ritual facilitator dedicated to cultivating a heart-centered, earth-based Jewish practice. Arik has spent the past two decades serving Jewish communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle and has recently moved with his family to Vancouver, BC. He has many years of experience working with B’mitzvah students, bringing meaning and reflection to this formative time of life and finding ways to ground them in authentic Jewish learning and practice.

Questions? learning@orshalom.ca

Monthly, on Thursdays 7-8:30pm; 5 sessions starting Oct 12

ADULT SIMCHAT MITZVAH

Adult Simchat Mitzvah with Harriet Frost will prepare students to read from the Torah following the classic musical notation and prepare students to lead sections of the Or Shalom Shabbat morning service.

Rabbi Hannah will meet with students during class sessions and privately, as needed, to guide Torah study and the writing of a Dvar Torah on students’ chosen Torah portions.

Please note that it is possible students will require up to 5 private tutoring sessions to prepare individual Torah readings for a Simchat Mitzvah.

Prerequisite: ability to read Hebrew aloud

With Harriet Frost

Harriet Frost is a Singer/ Songwriter with an extensive background and love of Judaic studies and Judaic music. She continues to be inspired working with our Or Shalom Simchat Mitzvah students for 15 years. Harriet’s focus in the B’yachad program is Hebrew literacy and liturgy as well as facilitating monthly Friday night Shabbat programs for the families. Her Adult education courses in Hebrew Literacy, liturgy, Torah and Haftarah chanting provide students with the confidence and capabilities to participate more fully in services and further their  journey of learning.

In person at the Bayit with Harriet Frost

Students may purchase the Text/Workbook

Nusach Guides for the Cantillation and the Ta’amim Cantor Miles Cohen  $35

There are limited need-based scholarships available; contact Rabbi Hannah Dresner rabbihannah@orshalom.ca

Weekly, on Thursdays 7-9pm; 20 sessions starting Oct 12