Take a deeper dive into Jewish holidays, lifecycle events, history, texts, culture, and more. Come out of the course feeling even more educated and connected to Judaism.

This course was designed by Darshan Yeshiva director Rabbi Patrick Beaulier and Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary director Rabbi Sandy Zisser.

What’s included in the program

66 Videos | 15 Podcasts | 40+ Other Materials

Intro to the Darshan Yeshiva

Program Introduction

Learn who are and why we love working with our students! You'll also gain an understanding of how to get the most out of our programs.

Jewish Peoplehood

Who we are and where we are going

Who are the Jewish people and what is our history? This is the deepest dive our program takes into any subject. (11 Videos)

Jewish Texts

Tanakh, Talmud and other Jewish Texts

Jews are the "people of the book". But we could also be called the "people of the books!" Learn the fundamentals of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), the Talmud and the important Jewish texts throughout history. (17 Videos)

Jewish Holidays

The historic and religious background, rituals and insights of Jewish holidays

Students will gain an appreciation for each of the many Jewish holidays, as well as the Israeli national holidays. The focus is on the "who, what, where, when, why and how" of each of the holidays. Careful attention has been paid to understanding these holidays from both religious and secular backgrounds, as well as mystical approaches to these chagim. Students will also gain an understanding of how the Jewish calendar works and its origins. (7 Videos | 12 Podcasts)

Hebrew For Beginners

The holy language made simple

Don't panic - Hebrew can be fun! We promise short videos to help you with the Hebrew aleph-bet and important prayers worth knowing. (6 Videos)

Worship & Spirituality

Finding a connection to the Divine

From various approaches to Jewish spirituality, elements of davvening (prayer) and more. You'll gain a sense of the Jewish approach to connecting with the Universe. (10 Videos)

Jewish Life & Lifecycle

From mitzvot to bar mitzvahs

Jewish life is lived in a cycle with others. What are the basic concepts of mitzvot (commandments) and middot (Jewish ethics)? How are we supposed to live our lives, and what are those stages of life, from birth to death and beyond. (14 Videos | 2 Podcasts)

Private Facebook Group & Substack

Students also receive free access to our Facebook Group and our Substack for life. Our Substack is a mix of sermons, a showcase of different course materials on our website, interviews with our rabbis, a student's only chat. Our Facebook Group is a great place to meet your fellow students, share your life, ideas and more.

You’ll also receive Basics of Judaism

Jewish Identity & History

* What does it mean to be Jewish? * How is a person born Jewish? How can someone become Jewish? * What is the simple history of the Jewish people? * Why does antisemitism exist, and what can we do about it?

Jewish Texts, Jewish Ideas

* What are the primary Jewish texts, and why do they matter? * What are the central Jewish beliefs? * What are Jewish ethics? * Why does the State of Israel mean so much to Jews?

Jewish Spiritual Life

* How do Jews pray? * Who are the Jewish religious leaders, and what’s a synagogue like? * What are the different denominations/movements in Judaism, and do they matter?

Jewish Holidays, Lifecycle & Practices

* What is the Jewish calendar, and what are the Jewish High Holidays? * What other Jewish holidays are there? * What lifecycle celebrations do Jews have, and why? * What are some misunderstood Jewish practices, and what is their meaning? * Where do I go from here in my Jewish journey?

Bonus: we’ll also include our Torah Study course for free

Sefer Bereishit (The Book of Genesis)

From Creation to Egypt

12 videos 12 handouts

From the creation of the world to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. See how the universe began and chart the course for the Jewish people in Egypt.

Intro to the Hebrew Bible

Historical development of the Torah

4 videos 2 web resources 2 handouts

How did the Torah develop? Who were the ancient Israelites who wrote the previously oral traditions of ancient Israel? In what context was the Torah written, and what historic events shaped the way that this sacred text was understood? Drawing from archeology, ancient history and biblical scholarship, we will learn more about how to core Jewish text that would later become the Hebrew Bible came to be.

Sefer Shemot (Book of Exodus)

From Slavery to Freedom

11 videos 11 handouts

Learn how the Israelites leave slavery in Egypt through the strength of God, who has remembered the covenant with the patriarchs. Led by Moses, the Hebrews will encounter God at Mount Sinai, entering into a covenant with God who gives them their laws and instructions for the Tabernacle through the wilderness.

Sefer Vayikra (Book of Leviticus)

Laws of purity and holiness

10 videos 10 handouts

In the book of Leviticus, God tells the Israelites and their priests how to make offerings in the Tabernacle and how to conduct themselves while camped around the holy tent sanctuary. We learn more about the ritual, moral and legal practices of the Israelites, including the concepts of holiness and purity. The focus of Leviticus is on how one must behave in order for God to continue to dwell amongst the people.

Sefer Bamidbar (Book of Numbers)

Strife and lessons before entering the Promised Land

10 videos 10 handouts

The Israelites begin their journey into the Promised Land, but not without turmoil. The book of Numbers tells the story of political and social upheaval, spies, curses, and even fiery serpents. A generation will perish in the desert before entering the Promised Land. Learn why in the book of Numbers.

Sefer Devarim (Book of Deuteronomy)

The law and Israel

5 videos 5 handouts

On the plains of Moab, Moses delivers the sermons that make up the Deuteronomist Code, which became the Book of Deuteronomy. These sermons recount the years of wandering in the wilderness, pleas to remain holy in the eyes of God, and on keeping the eternal covenant.

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Judaism for Beginners