At Slifka, we have a wide range of opportunities to delve into Jewish learning, text, and wisdom! Is there something you want to learn? Take a look below at our classes and fellowships, which meet regularly during the semester. If these don’t feel like the right fit or if there is something else on your heart and mind, write to a member of the clergy team (contact info below)! We are excited to do individual learning or set you up with a chevruta (study partner) or small group of friends. We can’t wait for the searching, soulful conversations we’ll share and create together.
Directory:
Weekly Classes
Intro To Judaism
Building Your Judaism
Jewish Learning Fellowship
Yeshivat Yale
Drop-In Learning
LGBTorah
Torah @ Lunch
Yeshivat Yale
Community Building Opportunities
First Year Ambassadors
Skill Sharing
Urim Fellowship
Weekly Classes
All dates and times for the Fall 2022 semester are TBD.
Intro to Judaism:
Mondays from 4-5 pm in the Seminar Room in Kikar Schusterman beginning on Monday, Feb. 6
Join us for a weekly chance to learn about different aspects of Judaism and Jewish life (and then eat dinner!). We’ll talk about Jewish holidays, lifecycle events, rituals, and more. Anyone who wants to learn is welcome, including those who are reconnecting with Judaism and/or want to deepen their knowledge, those who are in the process of conversion, or those who just want to know more. You do not have to be Jewish to sign up– people of any faith or religion and no faith or religion are welcome! Contact rachel.leiken@yale.edu with questions. Email rachel.leiken@yale.edu with questions.
Building Your Judaism: In this class, we’ll think about what it looks like to build a Jewish life and practice that meets our needs, hopes, and dreams. We’ll think about different elements of Judaism including but not limited to prayer, theology, observance, and justice with the aim of figuring out what it might look like to incorporate these into our daily lives. There is no assumption about what your Jewish life “should” look like; instead, we’ll focus on what is important and nourishing to us. This offering is for anyone who has ever asked “what next?” or “Ok, I’m Jewish, but what does that mean? What can my Judaism look like?” Meetings will be once a week, depending on the schedules of those who are interested. Email rachel.leiken@yale.edu for more info.
Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF):
Time TBD based on fellows’ availability (see application form)
JLF is an 8-10-week experiential, conversational seminar that invites fellows to deepen their understanding of Judaism on their own terms. We will explore some of life’s big questions, including those related to community, identity, friendships, and space. We make no claims about the “right” way to practice or not to practice Judaism. The goal of the fellowship is to help you explore the tradition in a welcoming, warm space in conversation with a diverse group of people. That means we’ll ask a lot of big questions, but we don’t purport to have any of the big answers. This semester (Spring 2023), we will be offering two different tracks– one focused on exploring big questions in Judaism, and one focused on what Jewish wisdom can teach us about fighting for justice. Both sessions will begin the week of Feb. 6. Students who attend at least 8 sessions will receive a $300 stipend. Spring semester cohorts are open to all Yale students.
Interested? Apply here. Questions? E-mail Rachel Leiken.
Students who attend at least 8 sessions will receive a $300 stipend. Fall semester cohorts are open to all Yale students.
Interested? Apply here. Questions? E-mail Rachel Leiken.
Yeshivat Yale: Weekly Talmud adventure with friends! Meant for seasoned talmudists and newcomers alike. There will be plentiful food and snacks. Contact Rabbi Alex at alex.ozar@yale.edu for more info and to share your snack preferences!
Drop-In Learning
Come for one session or every week!
LGBTorah:
Fridays every other week (dates below), from 2-3 pm
Torah @ Lunch: Pluralism at its finest – the student-facing-staff learn together, and we’d love for you to join us! Join us for lunch and a chance to learn from a different staff member each week. All sources in English, no prior background necessary. Time and days for Fall 2022 TBD.
Yeshivat Yale: Weekly Talmud adventure with friends! Meant for seasoned talmudists and newcomers alike. There will be plentiful food and snacks. Contact Rabbi Alex at alex.ozar@yale.edu for more info and to share your snack preferences!
Community-Building Opportunities
First Year Ambassadors: Welcome Class of 2026! Looking for an opportunity to grow your leadership skills in a supportive and nurturing environment? Looking for an opportunity to connect with other First–Years? Looking for an opportunity to build community amongst your class year? Become a First–Year Ambassador and learn how to do all of this and more! Contact Aviva Green with any questions.
Skill Sharing: Is there a Jewish skill you want to learn? One you want to teach? If you’ve always wanted to learn how to lead Kiddush, read Torah, or learn the Aleph Bet; or if you want to share your knowledge in these areas, this is the option for you! Sign up for either on this form.
Urim Fellowship: Community is one of the central pillars of Judaism. The Urim fellowship recognizes the sacredness of building relationships and Jewish community, and invites you to hone your skills in this work. In this fellowship we will meet once a week to build and discuss leadership, community organizing, and human-centered design thinking skills. But most importantly, we will actively be working to build community and foster new relationships among Yale’s Jewish student body. Every week fellows will reach out to at least one peer for a one on one conversation. As we build these personal relationships we will also work together to foster new Jewish communities.
Strong candidates will either have a) a specific constituency in mind that they would like to engage as well as a network within that constituency. Or b) an interest in fostering new relationships and cultivating belonging among Jews of diverse backgrounds. We encourage everyone to apply regardless of your Jewish knowledge and background.
Fellows will receive $300 stipend for participation. Email rachel.leiken@yale.edu with interest or questions.