The “Secular Yeshiva” Course in Advanced Jewish Studies

February 2012 through January 2015*

Who is eligible?

• Members, staff and friends of The Sholem Community, SoCal Arbeter Ring
  (Workmen’s Circle), as well as others, including graduates of the Jeremiah
  Fellowship, willing to commit to an intensive two-year course of study. Applicants
  will be asked to submit a brief description of past education and/or activities in
  Jewish and general cultural/educational/social movements.
• Maximum enrollment: 15 individuals.
• Apply no later than Jan. 21, 2012 to hershl@sholem.org

What is the commitment?

• Two Sunday evening sessions per month, each 2-1/2 hours (60 class hours total)
• Significant advance reading/research
• Readiness to participate in seminar-style discussions, led by participants as
  well as instructors
• Purchase of books and publications recommended by instructors, all under $20, most $5-10 used online
• Approximately $10 fee per class (~$250/year)

What will be covered?

Approximately six sessions (15 hrs.) will be devoted to each topic:

• History and Basic Ideas of Secular Jewishness
• Critical examination of Tanakh (Hebrew bible); post-biblical literature
• Jewish calendar and holidays
• World Jewish history
• Eastern European Jewish history
• American Jewish history (incl. Rediscovering Our Radical Roots)
• Yiddish literature in translation
• Jewish American literature

Certification as Secular Jewish vegvayzer/Leaders

An additional year of study (February – December 2015) covering:

• Developing Secular Jewish life-cycle and holiday ceremonies in community
  and home settings
• Reviewing/Developing curricula for Secular Jewish schools

Instructors

• Hershl Hartman, Certified Secular Jewish vegvayzer; faculty,
  International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism; Ed. Dir., The Sholem
  Community; District Committee, SoCal Arbeter Ring (Workmen’s Circle)
• Other Certified vegvayzer in Southern California
• Noted scholars in L.A. area Secular Jewish movements/institutions
• Invited guest lecturers from L.A. area higher learning faculties

View the course flyer | Submit questions to hershl@sholem.org