Exploring Judaism

Exploring Judaism will be back in the winter of 2026! See below for a description, and reach out if you're interested in joining the next cohort!

Exploring Judaism!
Taught by Rabbi Caleb Brommer (with occasional guest teachers)

Looking for a fun, accepting, meaningful way to learn about Judaism? We’ve got you covered. From Alef to Tav and from Adam to Zelophehad, we’ll explore the basics of Jewish holidays, observances, texts, histories, and practices. This course is perfect for people exploring the possibility of converting to Judaism, people who feel like they want a refresher on the basics, and people who just want to know more! Whether you are a spiritual seeker, want to explore your faith, are considering conversion, or have Jewish family members, join us to learn more about Jewish ethics, spirituality, traditions, values, and practice. The classes are dynamic and interactive, and Rabbi Caleb Brommer is always open to questions. We proudly celebrate the ethnic, racial and cultural diversity of the Jewish people and Jewish communities and we’re proudly LGBTQ-affirming.

Each class follows this basic schedule:

6:30-7:00 Basic Hebrew

The Hebrew section will focus on decoding the letters and vowel markings of the Hebrew language, with the goal of fluently reading from a siddur (prayer book) by the end of the course. Those who already have some facilitation with Hebrew are strongly encouraged to join for this section of the class as well. It’s always good to hone your skills, and you will be a resource to your classmates!
 

7:00-7:10 Break & Snacks

Food is an important centerpiece of community building, so snacks will be provided by members of the class on a rotational basis! Please always look for kosher symbols when purchasing snacks. Any food prepared at home should follow the TBE Kashrut and Kitchen Guidelines. Finances are never a barrier for full participation. If purchasing snacks for the class presents a financial challenge, please speak to Rabbi Brommer.
 

7:10-8:30 Exploring Judaism Topic of the Week

Check out the schedule of weekly topics below (it is subject to change). And come to each class with your questions ready to go!

List of Topics (order is subject to change):

- Welcome & Introduction: Three Dimensions of Jewish Identity: Behaving, Believing, Belonging

- Tanakh: The Hebrew Bible

- The Oral Torah: Making Judaism What it is today

- Jewish Theologies: What (if anything) do Jews believe about God?

- Jewish Time: Sunrise, Sunset, Moon, and Aportional Noon

- Chanukah & Jewish-Christian Relations

- Mitzvot: Not Just ‘Good Deeds’; The Holiness of Doing

- The High Holidays: Birth, Death, Renewal, and Teshuva

- Birth, Covenant, and Parenting

- Prayer & Spiritual Practice

- Purim: Finding God through Joy (TBE Sisterhood Dinner)

- Shabbat: A Palace in Time

- Keeping Kosher: Meat & Heat

- Sex, Marriage, and Divorce

- The Shalosh Regalim (Three Pilgrimage Festivals): Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot

- Dying, Death, Mourning, and Afterlife (Chol Ha’Moed Pesach)

- Antisemitism and the Shoah (Nazi Holocaust)

- Israel in the Bible, Israel for the Sages, Contemporary Israel & Zionism

- Hot Topics in Halacha: Contemporary Ethical Issues

- Preparation for Siyyum (celebration of learning)

- Siyyum! (Culminating Celebration)

“Homework”

We put it in quotes because there’s nothing tedious or flustering about this homework! Each class will begin by laying out any questions we have relevant to the weekly topic. Any questions that are not addressed in class will become “homework” for people to investigate over the week, and then report back at the following class. It’s an opportunity to share in our exploration and discovery process.

This course is free, but there are two books that are strongly recommended reading for anyone exploring Judaism. Sections of these books will be assigned for each class to supplement our learning. Finances are never a barrier to full participation. If purchasing one or both of these books represents a financial challenge, please reach out to Rabbi Brommer.

Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
Buy it from independent bookstores here
Buy it from Amazon here

The Observant Life: The Wisdom of Conservative Judaism for Contemporary Jews
We recommend buying this as an e-book, not as a hard-copy book. It’s expensive and sort of hard to find. Buy it in any medium on Amazon here.

Please reach out with any questions to Rabbi Brommer: rabbi@tbeithaca.org

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE CONSIDERING CONVERSION:

While this course fulfills the basic study component of the conversion process in Conservative/Masorti Judaism, it does not by itself comprise all of the requirements of a conversion.

Additional requirements for conversion to Judaism include (for those with a penis) brit milah (ritual circumcision) or hatafat dam brit (a symbolic drawing of a drop of blood from the site of a circumcision if already circumcised), and (for everyone) a declaration of commitment to the mitzvot (commandments) of Jewish tradition in the presence of a beit din (rabbinic court), and tevilah (immersion in a mikveh, ritual bath). Those pursuing the conversion process will also have ongoing conversations with Rabbi Brommer to discuss meaningful integration of mitzvot and Jewish practice into their life.

For those pursuing conversion to Judaism, attendance at each session is expected, as it is vital to the integrity of the overall program. Missing too many classes may delay or prevent the completion of the conversion process.

We strongly encourage couples to take this course together! We recognize all the factors that make people so busy nowadays, and this course and the conversion process is a major commitment, but building a Jewish family (whether or not you have, or want to have, children) is a team effort! Plus it’s very fun to study and learn together. Consider learning as a pair!

Please reach out with any questions to Rabbi Brommer: rabbi@tbeithaca.org