Well Courses

“All who thirst, come to the water.” (Isaiah 55:1)
הוי כל צמא לכו למים (ישעיהו נה:א)
Scholars often compare the Torah to a well, and its words to water. Drawn from a deep and meaningful place, this water has the ability to sate all who seek it. Applied wisdom and devoted study are instrumental in our spiritual quest at Romemu. The Well is a place to meet deeper dimensions of our faith, our tradition, our community, and our lives. Classes featuring a variety of subjects are taught by Romemu clergy, guest scholars, and community members and are offered throughout the year.

We invite all who are thirsty for knowledge and wisdom to come to The Well to drink.

In these times many of us yearn to touch something eternal, beyond our immediate circumstances,  to help stabilize us as we try to walk on shifting ground. In this Beit Midrash series we will study accounts of how our ancestors in the Torah reached beyond themselves to touch something transcendent, and the manifold varieties of spiritual experiences that were borne from their seeking. We will also closely read accounts of God seeking human beings, reflecting upon the spiritual attunement that make thesse encounters possible. Finally, we will explore how narratives of the spiritual journey shift radically in rabbinic literature, reflecting upon these differences and how they came about.

Schedule: Tuesday nights | 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Dates:  3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3

Location: JTS, 3080 Broadway and Online

Join Rabbi David Ingber at The 92nd Street Y for a transformative weekly Parsha study class.

Delve into the timeless wisdom of the Torah as Rabbi Ingber unpacks the weekly Torah portion (Parsha), offering profound insights, spiritual guidance, and practical wisdom that is directly relevant to contemporary life.

In this engaging class, Rabbi Ingber combines traditional teachings with innovative interpretations, inviting participants to explore the deeper meanings behind the biblical narratives and commandments. Whether you’re new to Torah study or seeking to deepen your understanding, Rabbi Ingber’s warm and inclusive approach ensures a welcoming space for all learners.

Discover how the ancient wisdom of the Torah can illuminate our understanding of ethics, spirituality, and personal growth. Join us weekly as we uncover the relevance of the Parsha to our lives today and forge connections between tradition and modernity in a vibrant community setting at The 92nd Street Y.

Ever since we sat by the waters of Babylon and yearned for Zion, we Jews have been consumed with the themes of exile and brokenness. Given our modern experience, and especially since October 7, we are all wounded souls in need of healing – and thus we look yet again to our tradition for comfort. The Jewish literary tradition has always provided solace in times of sorrow – the Torah after the Babylonian Exile, the Talmud after the destruction of the 2nd Temple, the Kabbalah after the Spanish Expulsion, etc. Today, the ‘Torah’ of modern Jewish studies, with the field of ‘Jewish history’ at its center, has continued this ancient tradition of scholarly creativity in response to the pain and loss too often experienced by the Jewish people. By looking to our collective past, the study of Jewish history may yet help us recover from our brokenness and rebuild for our future. Join Dr. David Kaufman in this introductory survey of Jewish history – with the intention, as is our tradition, to be a ‘therapeutic’ exercise in both individual and communal healing.         

The class will be organized thematically, as follows:

INTRO: ‘History’ and ‘Memory’ in the Jewish experience

PEOPLE: Origins of the Jews in the Ancient Near East

TORAH: The creation and development of the Hebrew Bible

DIASPORA: Hellenistic culture & the ‘blessing’ of Assimilation

SYNAGOGUE: Jewish sectarianism & the birth of Christianity

MIDRASH: ‘Oral Torah’ & the interpretive tradition of Rabbinic Judaism

CULTURE: The roots of Jewish ethnic diversity (Ashkenazi/Sephardi/et al)

GHETTO: The emergence of Antisemitism in modern European history

POLITICS: From the Jewish Emancipation to the State of Israel

HASKALAH: Jewish Enlightenment & the rise of Modern Judaism 

Teacher: Professor David Kaufman 

Schedule: Monday nights | 7:30 – 9:00 PM  

Dates: March: 10, 17, 24, 31 | April: 7, 14, 28 | May: 5, 12 

Location: Onsite at the Romemu Offices at the Jewish Theological Seminary, 3080 Broadway (corner of 122nd) & Online

Tuition: $150 for members | $200 for non-members 

Invest in your Jewish heritage. Learn to read Torah with kavanah (intention) and precision.

Are you ready to connect deeply with Jewish tradition and develop a profound skill that has been passed down through generations? Our Torah Leining program provides a supportive, enriching environment to learn this beautiful tradition. Beginner to advanced learners welcome!

Our goals for the program are:

• Precise Cantillation (Trope) Mastery
• Accurate Hebrew Pronunciation
• Ritual and Textual Understanding

Teacher: Rabbi Marcelle Hohl 

Schedule: Monday nights | 6 – 7 PM 

Dates: March: 10, 17, 24, 31 | April: 7, 21, 28 | May: 5, 12, 19 | June: 9, 16, 23, 30

Location: Onsite at the Romemu Offices at the Jewish Theological Seminary, 3080 Broadway (corner of 122nd) 

Tuition: $200 for members | $260 for non-members 

Cost for materials is included in the class fee. 

Discover the profound insights of Hannah Arendt, one of the 20th century’s most influential thinkers. Her penetrating perception of the Jewish condition in the 20th century, developed during the rise of totalitarianism in Germany, are relevant for our times. 

This eight-session course delves into Arendt’s groundbreaking work. It offers a unique lens to explore the complexities of our own moment in the light of Jewish history and politics. From her critique of assimilation and totalitarianism to her controversial reflections on the Eichmann trial, Arendt’s ideas remain compelling today. Participants will examine her intellectual legacy and its implications for contemporary debates on identity, justice, antisemitism and zionism in engaging discussions and carefully selected readings. Whether you’re new to Arendt or a seasoned reader, this course invites you to grapple with timeless questions about belonging, power and resilience. Join us for this thought-provoking journey into the mind of a philosopher who dared to confront the most pressing issues of her time – and ours.

Teacher: Dr. Michael Gottsegen

Schedule: Thursday nights | 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Date: March 20, 27 | April: 3, 10, 17 | May: 1, 8, 15 

Location: Zoom Only 

Tuition: $160 for members | $200 for non-members 

Dive into the Hebrew language in an intimate, relaxed and supportive environment. We will start by learning the Hebrew alphabet. Participants will be exposed to all aspects of the language, including reading and writing. Once we have a solid grasp of the basics, we’ll introduce Shabbat and holiday liturgy.

Teacher: Wendy Miles

Schedule:  Tuesday nights 6:00-7:00PM

Dates: 

Semester 1: 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11

Semester 2: 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3

Location: JTS, 3080 Broadway

Tuition: $275 Members, $300 non-members | tuition includes both semesters

In this class, we will delve deeper into the Hebrew language and through the words gain the keys to our spiritual tradition. Familiarity with Hebrew letters and basic reading* is required. We will work on developing additional Hebrew skills, vocabulary, reading and comprehension. Using the Romemu Siddur (prayer book) and other Jewish texts, we will uncover the meaning of words, discover hidden secrets in the word roots, and make connections to our broader Jewish heritage. Our study will allow us to connect more deeply to sacred language. Supplementary sources like songs, poems and expressions will add to our joy of discovery.

*Basic reading means the ability to sound out letters. Reading comprehension is not required.

Teacher: Jeremy Rosenshine

Schedule:  Sunday Mornings 10:30-12PM

Dates:

Semester 1: 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9

Semester 2: 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 5/25, 6/1

Location: JTS, 3080 Broadway and Online

Tuition: $275 Members, $300 non-members | tuition includes both semesters

In this course, led by Rabbi Lindsey Healey-Pollack, we will probe the big questions of what it means to be Jewish as we explore the diverse ways that people practice and live Judaism. Why and to Who do we pray? Can keeping kosher be spiritual – what’s up with separating dairy and meat? What does Judaism have to say about social justice and the environment? How might I want to keep Shabbat? Topics will include: holiday and life cycle celebrations, theology, history, Israel, the Bible and other Jewish texts, practicing and learning about rituals and their ritual objects, and building a Jewish vocabulary. We will focus on experiential, hands-on learning and nurturing our own unique Jewish spirituality. Dipping into the sea of Jewish knowledge and practice may seem daunting, but we will move together from the shallow end towards the depths, sharing our struggles and joys along the way. All questions are encouraged, and no topic is off limits. Join Rabbi Lindsey on an inclusive, supportive, and accessible path to participating fully in Jewish community. This course serves to fulfill conversion requirements at Romemu.

Teacher: Rabbi Lindsey Healey-Pollack

Schedule:  Thursday nights 7:00-8:30PM

Dates:

Semester 1: 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13

Semester 2: 2/27, 3/6, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5

Location: Online with select hybrid sessions at JTS, 3080 Broadway | Hybrid session dates will be communicated to registrants

Tuition: $275 Members, $300 non-members | tuition includes both semesters

Read Israeli literature in english translation. Ronnie and Rhonna have led connected, complicated, and always meaningful discussions of over 40 books during their time teaching this beloved Romemu class. All are welcome to become part of this community of readers! All sessions meet on zoom. 

Teachers: Ronnie Scharfman and Rhonna Rogol

Schedule:  Thursday nights 7:30-9:00PM (individual dates listed below)

Dates:

January 16- Inside Information, by Eshkol Nevo

February 20th- On Her Own, by Lili Lapid

March 20th- Track Changes, by Sayed Kashua

April 17- Stockholm, by Noah Yedlin

May 15th- A selection by Yoram Kaniuk

June 19th- Combo: Love, by Maayan Eitan and Where I Am by Dana Shem Ur

Location: Online

Tuition: $120 ($100 for members) for the series, $25 ($22 for members) for each session

With this monthly hybrid class (in-person and online) we will join the ancient Hebrews as well as modern astrologers in aligning with the new moon as a powerful time for new intentions and opportunities. New Moons mainly have “sowing and starting” energy, whereas Full Moons mainly have “completion and maturity” energy. The class will introduce the themes in each Jewish Month as well as the qualities of the associated astrological sign. Participants will work directly with their own charts as the class explores the area (or house) in each participant’s chart which we will emphasize for a new moon intention or kavanah. The class will also introduce astrological symbols and look at the significant current placements of the planets.

Every month Jewish people recite a special blessing—known as Kiddush Levanah—as they witness the moon re-emerge and grow full again. Blessing the month in its time is comparable to greeting the Divine presence, said the sages of the Talmud. For those able to attend in person, we will imbibe sweet smelling refreshments and other light food as the Ancient Hebrews did to bode for a sweet month ahead.

Teacher: Alina Bloomgarden

Schedule: Wednesdays 7:00-8:30PM (individual dates listed below)

Dates:

11/27, 12/18, 1/29, 2/26, 3/27, 4/24, 5/29,

RSVP to Eden Foster at eden@romemu.org for registration and location information

Additional Learning Opportunities at Romemu

In addition to the courses above, families with young children are encouraged to check out all our Youth and Family offerings, including Seekers Holistic Hebrew School.

On Shabbat mornings, join us for Open Book at 8:45 AM (Learn more on our Shabbat page)

Financial Policies

No one will ever be turned away from any Romemu course or event for financial reasons.  To request scholarship funds, email support@romemu.org before registering for a course.

Please review our refund policy here.