Well Courses

All the diseases that I placed upon the Egyptians, I will not place upon you, for I am God your Healer. Exodus 15:26

Students of Torah know that the Torah is a challenging and oftentimes painful book to study. The Torah, as the rabbis say (Wisdom of the Fathers 5), holds everything within her: horror and hope, grief and gratitude, transcendence and immanence. In one short chapter, we might encounter sublime images alongside utter depravity. But in these challenging times it’s crucial to find sources of healing and hope.  Join Rabbi Cohler-Esses for this Beit Midrash series, as we focus specifically on sources of healing– whether in the unadorned text itself, or in commentary, midrash, poetry or mystical literature.

Location:  The Romemu Center (176 W 105th St) & Zoom

Schedule: Tuesdays,  7 – 8:30 PM ET
February 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16; May 7, 14, 21, 28; June 4

Tuition: Free (Suggested donation of $18 per class)

Dive into the Hebrew language with Wendy Miles 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.

Location: The Romemu Center (176 W 105th St.)

Schedule: Tuesdays, 6 – 7 PM ET
February 27; March 5, 12, 19 26; April 2, 9, 16, 7, 14, 21, 28; June 5

Tuition: $310 ($280 for Romemu members)

In this class taught by Jeremy Rosenshine, 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.

Location: The Romemu Center (176 W 105th St.) & Zoom

Schedule: Sundays, 10:30 AM – 12 PM ET
February 25; March 3, 10, 17; April 7, 14, 21; May 5, 12, 19

Tuition: $250 ($220 for Romemu members)

In these troubled times, we come together to sustain and strengthen each other’s spirits. Our tradition’s masters of solace include Rabbi Nachman, Heschel, Adrienne Rich and Avivah Zornberg. Join us in studying and “writing into” Biblical texts that heal and hold us. We will also dwell in the comforting poetry of Mary Oliver, Rumi, Rilke and Annie Dillard. (No writing experience is necessary.) This course will be taught by Shelly R. Fredman, who teaches at Barnard College and has been leading this class at Romemu for over a decade.

Location: Onsite on the Upper West Side. Specific location will be shared after registration.

Schedule: Thursdays, 7 PM ET
February 8, 22; March 7, 28; April 11

Tuition: $125 ($100 for Romemu members)

Taught by historian and Romemu member, Professor David Kaufman, this course will address the question, “is anti-Zionism inherently antisemitic” by taking a closer look at the dialectic of antisemitism and Zionism in the 19th century, tracing the development of both Zionism and anti-Zionism through the 20th century, and finally examining the interconnectedness of all three in the world today. 

Location: The Romemu Center with an option available to listen to the course online for those unable to join onsite.

Schedule: Thursdays, 7 – 8:15 PM ET
February 1, 8; 15, 22′ March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4

Tuition: $250 ($200 for Romemu members)

Book list for each class:

How to Love Your Daughter by Hila Blum: December 14

One Mile and Two Days Before Sunset by Shimon Adaf: January 18

Professor Schiff’s Guilt by Agur Schiff: February 22

The Woman Beyond the Sea by Sarit Yishai-Levi: April 11

A Journey To The End Of The Millennium by A. B. Yehoshua: May 9 

In this course, led by Romemu Rabbinic Fellow, Andrea Shupack, 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.

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 Andrea on an inclusive, supportive, and accessible path to participating fully in Jewish community.

Location: Zoom

Schedule: Thursdays, 7 – 8:30 PM ET
November 2, 9, 16, 30 | December 7, 14, 21 | January 4, 11, 18, 25 | February 1, 8, 15, 29 | March 7, 14, 21, 28 | April 11, 18, | May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | June 6

Tuition: $300 ($250 for Romemu members) – Registration is currently closed for this course

Led by Nili Weissman.

What is our calling? Our new holy service? Who are we called to be in these terrifyingly holy times? As the fires and floods, the Cries of Mother Nature, and the woundedness of humanity draw closer to us, what sacred new roles can we grow into to meet the voice of The Ancient Of Days calling us to be ‘A Nation of Sacred Priesthood unto Me?’ How do we become midwives through death and destruction to attend this Holy Birthing? Our sacred little caravan will travel these holy waters. We will face the terror with a new song and cultivate a Healer’s Heart as we learn new ways to serve God, tend each other, humanity and the Earth during this Great Transformation.

Twice a month for 8 months on Zoom, we will learn from and support each other through the Torah of healing through our own personal psukim (verses of Torah), seeing what God has gifted us personally to grapple with and integrate in our own lives.Together we will rise to meet these times of sacred alchemical fire in new holy service,l earn to join hands and walk humbly with our God.

Schedule
Each month participants will meet twice – A Sunday evening and a Thursday evening

Sunday Evenings is a Pasuk Class from 5 – 7 PM ET
November 5, December, 10, January 7, February 11, March 3, April 14, May 26 and June 2

Thursdays is a Visionary Class from 7 – 9 PM ET
November 16, December 28, January 25, February 29, March 28, April 25, May 9 and June 6

Location: Zoom

Tuition: $360 ($320 for Romemu members)

New participants are welcome for the Spring semester, but please contact Nili Weissman at nweissman@live.com before registering.

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.