Comprehensive Curriculum

Delve into sacred text, Jewish history, theology, Israel, contemporary practice, spirituality, and more.

Connect with Others

Connect with folks who are on a similar journey through community discussions

Expert Guidance

Interact with an experienced and supportive rabbi throughout the course.

About the Course

This Judaism 101 class is designed for those eager to learn the basics of Judaism from an experienced reform rabbi. The course takes a welcoming and inclusive approach toward learning about Judaism, inviting participants to consider multiple perspectives and approaches to every topic.   This is a 12 week course, designed to spread the 12 units out over a 12 week period. Each unit includes multiple video lessons, assigned readings, downloadable source sheets and guides, journal prompts, and quizzes. This schedule will enable folks to dedicate the time needed to digest the information in each unit. By the end of the course, students will have a strong base of knowledge that will empower them to take the next steps in their Jewish educational journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone interested in learning the basics of Judaism. This may include: --> Folks interested in converting --> Families with older children looking for asynchronous learning  --> Those who are in an interfaith or mixed heritage relationship --> Those who grew up Jewish but with no formal education -->  Spiritual seekers --> Those who have discovered Jewish ancestry in their family

Will this course count toward my conversion?

This is a question for your sponsoring rabbi! This course mirrors Judaism 101 classes offered in Reform and Conservative synagogues around the United States, as well as those offered by the URJ.  The course includes 12 chapters with over 50 video lessons, assigned readings, assignments, quizzes, and opportunities to engage with the instructor and other students. Feel free to have your rabbi contact me if they want to learn more about me or the class.

Will I learn Hebrew?

You will learn about the significance of the Hebrew language in Judaism, along with a few tips and tricks about how to get started on your Hebrew journey.  But no, you will not learn to read or speak Hebrew in this course. I am in the process of creating a parallel course to learn to read Hebrew.

Meet Your Instructor,  Rabbi Jill Avrin

Rabbi Jill Avrin is the rabbi of YourJewish,  a Jewish community in the Twin Cities that meets folks where they are on their Jewish journey by running programming in people's homes, creative public venues, and online . Rabbi Avrin grew up in an interfaith and unaffiliated family in the suburbs of Milwaukee and is passionate about supporting those who live in similar Jewish homes to the one she grew up in. She was ordained by HUC-JIR in 2013, worked at a reform synagogue for 10 years, and then started YourJewish in 2023.  She has taught Judaism 101 for over 12 years, both in a synagogue setting and for the Union for Reform Judaism. She loves spending time with her children, her partner, and her cats, and in her free time loves to run and bake. 

The syllabus

13 Chapters · 84 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction to Judaism

    1. What is Judaism? Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Sharing my Story

    3. Overview of the Course Free preview
    4. (Included in full purchase)

      A Blessing for Beginning our Journey

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Recommended Books

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal Prompts | Introduction to Judaism

  2. 2

    Who is a Jew?

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Who is a Jew?

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Denominations and Movements

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Concept of Peoplehood

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal Prompts | Diversity in Jewish Life

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Diversity in Jewish Life

  3. 3

    Jewish Sacred Text | Part I

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What is sacred literature?

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Torah

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Biblical Literature Beyond Torah

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Rabbinic Literature | Mishnah and Talmud

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Rabbinic Literature | Midrash

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal Prompts | Jewish Sacred Literature

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Sacred Literature

  4. 4

    Jewish Sacred Text | Part 2

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Codes and Responsa Literature

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Halacha

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Chasidut

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Mussar

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Short Stories

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Jewish Sacred Text Part 2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Jewish Sacred Text Part 2

  5. 5

    Jewish History | Part 1

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Early Biblical Period

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Late Biblical Period

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Rabbinic Period

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Medieval Period

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Jewish History - Part 1

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Jewish History - Part 1

  6. 6

    Jewish History | Part 2

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Modern Period

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The Significance of the Holocaust

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Contemporary Period

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Antisemitism Throughout Jewish History

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Jewish History - Part 2

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Jewish History - Part 2

  7. 7

    Theology

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      An Introduction to Talking about God

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Different Ways of Thinking about God

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Exploring Issues of Theodicy

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Exploring Issues of Free Will

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      God Shopping! How do you think about God?

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Theology and Beliefs

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Theology and Beliefs

  8. 8

    Practice, Values, and Culture

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of Mitzvot and Commandedness

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Jewish Values and Virtues

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Role of Social Justice

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Jewish Culture

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Practice, Values, and Culture

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Practice, Values, and Culture

  9. 9

    Prayer and Spirituality

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Structure of Jewish Prayer

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Spiritual Practices beyond Prayer

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Significance of Hebrew

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Prayer and Spirituality

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Prayer and Spirituality

  10. 10

    Israel

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to Talking about Israel

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The Land of Israel

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The People of Israel

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The State of Israel

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Contemporary Challenges Related to Israel/Palestine

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Israel

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Israel

  11. 11

    The Jewish Life Cycle

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Birth, Covenent Ceremonies, Infertility

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      B'nai Mitzvah and Confirmation

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Marriage and Divorce

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Conversion

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Death and Dying

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Life Cycle

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Life Cycle

  12. 12

    Holidays | Part 1

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Shabbat

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The Calendar | Rosh Chodesh

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      High Holy Days

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Sukkot and Simchat Torah

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Chanukah

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Chanukah Continued | The December Dilemma

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Holidays Part 1

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Holidays Part 1

  13. 13

    Holidays | Part 2

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Tu B'Shevat; Tu B'Av; Tisha B'Av

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Purim

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Passover

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha'atzmaut

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Shavuot

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz | Holidays Part 2

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Journal | Holidays Part 2

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Embark on a transformative learning experience with our Judaism 101 class. Enroll now and unlock the treasures of Jewish wisdom and tradition!

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