Welcome to Darshan Yeshiva

We’re thrilled that you are here. There is a lot on this website, but don’t be overwhelmed. Here’s a quick overview of who we are, what we are about, and how you can get the most out of Darshan Yeshiva.

Why We’re Here

We believe that you matter. We’re here to help you grow spiritually and educationally. No judgments, no agenda.

How Darshan Yeshiva Works

We provide beginner level Jewish learning. Know a little Torah and nothing else? Can’t get your way through Hebrew if someone offered you a million dollars? Do you know in your heart you’re Jewish…but haven’t worked with a rabbi or finished a conversion program? Then we’re here for you.

What We Do

There are three basic parts to our website:

Micro Courses
We have recently relaunched our mobile podcasts and videos you can take anywhere. Soon you will be able to learn the first book of the Bible, the Mishnah, figure out what life is all about…anything! Three classes are currently available with more being added August 1st. You must be a current or past student in order to access these courses.

Premium Programs
Want more than a video-to-go? These programs provide a more in-depth level of study. Options include Torah Study, Judaism For Beginners, Comprehensive Jewish Studies and Darshan Training.

These programs are pretty deep, so you can only take one at a time.

So which one is right for you? Here’s what our students have told us:

Torah Study – inexpensive and a good start, but Comprehensive Jewish Studies is a bit better

Comprehensive Jewish Studies – a lot of content here. It’s basically the Darshan Training Program, but less expensive and not focused on learning how to lead, but learning for learning sake

Darshan Training – this is like Crossfit for the Jewish mind. Learn how to be a lay Jewish leader. The best way to do this program is guided, meaning a rabbi helps you once a month to get the most out of the program. Note that at the moment we are reimagining this program, so it will not be available until Winter 2017.

You don’t have to do one program before doing another, so pick how deep you want to go and jump right in!

We also have Judaism For Beginners, but let’s talk about that below.

Conversion to Judaism
Our distance learning based conversion to Judaism program matches you with a rabbi of your choice to study and complete your conversion to Judaism. Choose from Reform, Jewish Renewal, Secular Humanistic and Post-Denominational rabbis. Each rabbi has different requirements for conversion, but they generally include studying for ten months, meetings online each month, and then finalizing your conversion in their community through bet din and mikvah.

Our conversion program is available in English and Italian.

Want to see the videos and podcasts from our conversion program before deciding if this program is right for you? Sign up for Judaism For Beginners. You won’t have access to a rabbi, but it will give you a taste of what the program is like.

What We Don’t Do

While we would love to help everyone, there are certain things that Darshan Yeshiva does not provide. These include:

• Conversion to Judaism for people who are leaving Islam or are in Islamic countries. This is due to potential security risks to you as a student
• Rabbinical ordination (smicha). Remember, we’re a website for beginners. But we DO recommend our friends at Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary: JewishPluralism.org
• Free programs
• Offer advice about other programs that are not part of Darshan Yeshiva or local communities
• Gifts or loans

Where Do You Go From Here?

Take a look at all our programs. See what you’d like. If you have any questions, feel free to email support@darshanyeshiva.org and we will help you.

Thank you again for being part of Darshan Yesiva!