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 place, this water can refresh and sustain all who seek it.

Torah study at Romemu is central to our spiritual journey. The Well, our program of educational offerings, provides learning opportunities for seekers at every level.

Regardless of your education or religious background, our programs welcome newcomers while also deepening the knowledge and practice of all Jewish learners, guiding participants toward living with holiness in challenging times. 

Lifelong learning efforts at romemu are led by master educator Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses. She is this year’s recipient of a Covenant award. To learn more about her watch this film.

Freedom Is Only the Beginning – Standing again at Sinai

Scholars and rabbis reflect on what revelation means to them.

Join us after Passover as we begin the sacred counting toward Shavuot, the holiday of Revelation. Each week, distinguished rabbis and scholars, representing a wide variety of perspectives, will share their personal understandings of revelation, selecting texts that inspire them and guiding us in exploring what it means to stand once again at Sinai.

Schedule: All sessions will occur on Tuesday nights from 7-8:30

April 14 — Rabbi Dr. David Seidenberg

Creation as Revelation: An Earth Centered Understanding of Sinai

Rabbi David Mevorach Seidenberg is a Lecturer on Judaism and Ecology at Harvard Divinity School. He is the author of Kabbalah and Ecology: God’s Image in the More-Than-Human World (Cambridge, 2015), and the creator of neohasid.org.
Welcome and introduction by Beit Midrash participant Beth Brown

April 21 — Professor Sarra Lev

What Really Happened at Sinai
What did the Israelites expect at Sinai? What did they actually receive? And Why is there a difference?

Sarra Lev is Associate Professor of Rabbinic Texts and Chair of the Department of Rabbinic Civilization at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. She is the author of And the Sages Did Not Know: Early Rabbinic Approaches to Intersex.

April 28 — Rabbi Professor Joel Hecker

Between Maimonides and the Zohar: A Dialectical Approach to the Revelation at Sinai

Prof. Joel Hecker is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Mysticism at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. He is the author of The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, Volumes 11-12 and other works in Jewish Mysticism.

May 5 — Rabbi David Ingber

Revelation Reimagined: A Chasidic Journey Toward Sinai

What does it mean to receive Torah—not once, but again and again?
In the days leading up to Shavuot, this class invites us into a deeper, more intimate exploration of Revelation through the lens of Chasidic thought. Moving beyond the image of a one-time event at Mount Sinai, the Chasidic masters teach that revelation is ongoing, dynamic, and profoundly personal—unfolding in every moment for those who are willing to listen.

Together, we will explore teachings from the Baal Shem Tov, the Sfat Emet, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, and others, who reframe revelation not as something that happened, but as something that is always happening. What blocks us from hearing? What prepares us to receive? And what might it mean to stand at Sinai in our own lives—amid doubt, distraction, and longing?

This class is for anyone seeking to encounter Torah not only as text, but as living presence—an invitation to awaken, to attune, and to receive.
No prior background required. Just bring your curiosity—and your willingness to be surprised.

Rabbi David A. Ingber serves as the founding rabbi of Romemu, the largest Renewal synagogue in the United States and as the Senior Director of Jewish Life and the Bronfman Center at 92NY.

May 12 — Professor Deena Aranoff

The Household as a Site for Revelation:Where does revelation unfold?

Please join Deena Aranoff for a discussion of how Jewish practices, including rabbinic halakhah, are derived from household custom and unfold within the context of family life.
Deena Aranoff is Professor of Jewish Studies and Faculty Director of the Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). Most recently, she is the author of  Mother’s Milk: Essays on Child-Rearing, the Household, and the Making of Jewish Culture

May 19 — Rabbi Debra Orenstein

Continual Revelation in the Eternal Now

How can we understand and deliberately cultivate the all-embracing encounter of Revelation? Rabbi Debra Orenstein offers texts and perspectives that take revelation from theory and memory to practice and experience.
Rabbi Debra Orenstein, a seventh generation rabbi, brings the meaning and relevance of the Jewish tradition to audiences across North America as a guest speaker and scholar-in-residence. Named by the Forward as one of America’s most inspiring rabbis, she has published eight books and teaches online through The Academy for Jewish Religion and RabbiDebra.com.

Location: Online via Zoom

Register here

Kabbalah Cafe began quietly and beautifully in the home of one of the founders of Romemu —as a small circle gathering around mystical texts, shared questions, and the simple holiness of being together. We are grateful that this learning will now continue restoring that same sense of warmth, intimacy, and presence.

These evenings will weave together Zohar and Hasidut, silence and song—learning that invites depth without pretense. This is not an academic course, but a lived encounter with Jewish mysticism: study meant to be felt, tasted, and carried, rather than mastered.

Teacher: Rabbi David Ingber

Time: Thursday Nights, 7:00 – 8:30 PM EDT

Dates: April: 30 | May: 14, 28 | June: 18, 25

Location: onsite only; disclosed upon registration

Tuition:  $10 per session for members, $18 per session for non-members

Note: separate registrations per date

Register here

Come jam with Hazzan Shimon!

We know how to welcome Shabbat with intention, but how do we carry Shabbat with us as we step back into the week? In the tradition of Melaveh Malka, we accompany Shabbat as the week begins, we affirm that Shabbat does not simply end, it continues to flow into the days ahead. Co-led by Hazzan Shimon Smith, Music Director of Romemu, and Ben Romano, Artist in Residence at the JCC, joined by a circle of musicians in an open, communal nigun circle. Feel free to bring a guitar; we’ll have chords. (Thinking of bringing a different instrument Email shimon@romemu.org.)

7:00 PM at the JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th Street, New York

Last Saturday of each month April 25 · May 30 · June 27

Register Here

The seven week period from Passover to Shavuot invites us into a mystical treasure trove of potential for spiritual insight and growth through a daily spiritual practice known as the counting of the Omer. This sacred portal – seven weeks, each with seven days, aligned with the seven lower sephirot of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life – has served as a pool of inspiration and illumination for mystics of every generation. Now, you can swim in these sacred waters too! 

Join Rabbi Dr. Brielle Paige Rassler, award winning author of Psalms: A Millennial’s Interpretation, on a soulful, mystical journey through this process, guided by the wisdom and sacred healing power of the Psalms. No prior experience with the Omer, the Psalms, or Kabbalah is necessary to benefit from this spiritual journey. Just bring your open heart, curious mind, and together we’ll discover where the Divine will take us from there.

Teacher: Rabbi Brielle Paige Rassler 

Time: Monday nights , 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT

Dates: April: 6, 13, 20, 27  | May: 4, 11, 18 

Tuition: $140 for members, $200 for non-members

Location: Zoom only

Register here

This experiential workshop explores devotion as a living, embodied spiritual practice through voice, chant, reflection, and silence.Drawing from Jewish and Indian mystical traditions, the session gently explores how sacred sound functions as prayer, revelation, and communal presence. The workshop will include short teachings, guided reflection, and participatory chant. Participants are invited to explore the relationship between voice, listening, and inner awareness, while experiencing how devotional sound can open a shared spiritual field.

No musical background is required. Participants are welcome to sing, listen, reflect, or simply be present.

Voice, Chant, and Mysticism Across Jewish and Indian Traditions

An Experiential Workshop

Facilitated by Renee Finkelstein

Date: Saturday, April 11

Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm EDT

Location: Disclosed upon registration

Tuition:  $18  for members, $25 for non-members

Register Here

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: March: 10, 17, 24, 31 | April: 14, 21, 28 | May: 5, 12, 19, 26 | June: 2, 9

Location: JTS, 3080 Broadway

Register Here

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: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | April 12, 19, 26 | May 3, 17, 24, 31 | June 7, 14 

Location: JTS, 3080 Broadway and Online

Register Here

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.