At Or Shalom, we are a vibrant community of lifelong learners, seeking deeper meaning and spiritual insight through both traditional and contemporary Jewish sources. Explore the enriching opportunities for Jewish learning below.
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. Registration required.
Exploring Judaism is Or Shalom’s series of adult learning classes designed for anyone curious about Jewish life—whether you’re new to Judaism, in the process of conversion, or seeking to deepen your foundational knowledge.
Together, we explore Jewish holidays, Shabbat, prayer, ritual, values, and everyday practices in an open, inclusive, and supportive environment.
Registration is required.
Living a Jewish Year
This entry-level course offers a meaningful, month-by-month journey through the Jewish calendar, exploring holidays as they arise in real time. Through historical context, guided rituals, and spiritual insights, participants will uncover multiple pathways into celebration and personal connection.
In addition to the holiday cycle, the course dedicates time to the beauty and rhythms of Shabbat—its meaning, practices, and potential to ground and uplift our lives. Classes combine thoughtful discussion with experiential learning and communal observance, helping students build a deeper, more personal relationship with Jewish time and tradition.
No prior knowledge is required. This course is open to anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge and connection to Jewish holidays and rituals.
Mondays 7pm – 8:30pm | September – June
Register here
Member $575.00 / Regular $690.00
Become a Member here.
Monday, September 28, 2026
Monday, November 2, 2026
Monday, December 7, 2026
Monday, January 18, 2027
Friday, February 26, 2027 | Shabbat Dinner
Monday, March 8, 2027
Monday, April 5, 2027
Monday, April 12, 2027 | Pesach Prep
Monday, May 3, 2027
Monday, June 14, 2027
Jewish Spiritual Practice: Three Doorways
What does it mean to cultivate a Jewish inner life?
This year we’ll explore three doorways into Jewish spiritual practice: Daily Practice, Inner Life, and Mystical Imagination.
We’ll begin by developing a personal Jewish spiritual practice, drawing on prayer, meditation, blessing, embodied practice. In our second module, we’ll turn to the Hasidic masters as guides to the inner life, exploring their teachings on joy, fear, desire, ego, and devekut—cleaving to the Divine.
Our final module will enter the Jewish mystical imagination, exploring some of the foundational ideas of Kabbalah and Hasidut, not simply as theology, but as ways of seeing ourselves, the Divine, and the world differently.
No previous knowledge or particular theological beliefs required—just curiosity and an openness to practice and discovery.
Oct 2026 – Dec 2026 | Bi-weekly on Wednesdays. 7pm – 8:30pm
Register here
| Wednesday, October 21, 2026 |
| Wednesday, November 4, 2026 |
| Wednesday, November 18, 2026 |
| Wednesday, December 2, 2026 |
| Wednesday, December 16, 2026 |
Adult Simchat Mitzvah
This year-long journey is designed for adults who didn’t have the opportunity to mark a Bar or Bat Mitzvah—and for those returning to this milestone with new purpose. Together, we’ll deepen our connection to Hebrew, explore the structure and meaning of Jewish prayer, and engage in Torah study.
Participants will learn to chant from the Torah, lead parts of the Shabbat morning service, and craft a personal D’var Torah, supported by Rabbi Arik and a warm, supportive community of fellow learners. Blending spiritual growth with practical learning, this experience will culminate in a meaningful group Simchat Mitzvah celebration.
Hebrew reading fluency & 80% attendance and monthly Shabbat service participation required.
Oct 2026 – Jun 2027 | Weekly on Wednesdays. 7pm – 8:30pm
Register here
Pricing:
1 year, Or Shalom membership.
Course fee: $825.00 (Members only)
Text & Workbook: $95 (Approximately)
Become a member.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
Wednesday, January 6, 2027
Wednesday, January 13, 2027
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
Wednesday, January 27, 2027
Wednesday, February 3, 2027
Wednesday, February 10, 2027
Wednesday, February 17, 2027
Wednesday, February 24, 2027
Wednesday, March 3, 2027
Wednesday, March 10, 2027
Wednesday, March 31, 2027
Wednesday, April 7, 2027
Monday, April 12, 2027
Wednesday, April 14, 2027
Wednesday, May 5, 2027
Wednesday, May 12, 2027
Wednesday, May 19, 2027
Wednesday, May 26, 2027
Wednesday, June 2, 2027
Wednesday, June 9, 2027
Wednesday, June 16, 2027
Wednesday, June 23, 2027
Zusia: The Bet Midrash
For those with a base of Jewish knowledge, Zusia is a serious but playful study for all learners who are interested in examining the multi-faceted nature of Torah and Jewish culture. Registration required
TBA
Rosh Chodesh Dance with Aliza Rothman
Oct 2026 – Jun 2027 | Monthly on Mondays | 7-9pm
Join Open Floor movement teacher and expressive arts therapist Aliza Rothman for a year-long journey through the Hebrew calendar. Together, we’ll embody the seasons, holidays, and themes of Jewish life through movement, reflection, and creative expression. Through expressive free form conscious dance we embody the wisdom of the Hebrew months. In this intimate group we sing, set intentions, journal, dance and share.
| Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Monday, November 9, 2026 |
| Monday, December 14, 2026 |
| Monday, January 11, 2027 |
| Monday, February 8, 2027 |
| Monday, March 8, 2027 |
| Monday, April 12, 2027 |
| Monday, May 10, 2027 |
| Monday, June 7, 2027 |
Join us Friday mornings at 9:00 am at the bayit for text-based Torah study as we start learning at the beginning, with Parshat Bereshit on Friday, October 13, and finish at the end, with Ha’azinu and Vezot HaBerakha on Friday, October 4, 2024. Contact programs@orshalom.ca if interested.
Heart-centred Torah Study for Women & Non-binary Members
This closed group reads the weekly (Torah) parsha together, a gleaning from scholars and/or our own impressions is presented by 1-2 participants, then each responds from the heart to what is speaking to us from the Torah portion and writes freely for 15-20 minutes. This is followed by each classmate sharing their rough, heart-centred writing. And a short reflection at the end. Contact programs@orshalom if interested.
