WashU Hillel's Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF) is a 10-week experiential, conversational seminar for students looking to deepen their understanding of Judaism on their own terms. We're interested in asking big questions. You know, the big stuff - like: Who am I? What values am I committed to and why? How do I heal a broken world when Chem 111 is taking over my free time?
The Jewish Learning Fellowship adds two critical components to Jewish study: It builds a cohort of Jewish students within each class who create community, and it teaches classical Jewish texts by drawing on your own life experience and intuition.
We make no claims about the "right" way to practice or not to practice Judaism. Our job is to help you explore the tradition in a safe space and find your own place, on your terms. And, make some cash!
These classes have no grades & no papers - because we know you have enough homework! Just enjoy great discussions for an hour and a half over 10 weeks, participate in a special Shabbat dinner during the semester, and celebrate in an hour-long Siyyum (Closing) Graduation Ceremony with the JLF community (find the dates in our FAQ).
No prior Jewish learning or background is required for 1.0 courses! All experience levels are welcome.
Have questions? Want to know the requirements for the classes? Check out our FAQ, and if that doesn't help, email rabbijordan@washuhillel.org.
WashU Hillel's JLF is funded in part by Hillel International and Mosaic United.
College is often the first time that we get to decide who we want to be in a lot of our identities. For the first time, we’re on own… so who do we want to be? What communities am I a part of? What do I want to do with my life? What is my religion? Do I need one? What do I really want to learn and why? Who do I want to hang out with? While these are universal questions, we believe they can be illuminated through the unique light of Jewish traditions. In this seminar, we will explore what it means to be a twenty-something Jewish individual in the world. We will try to explore the often complex questions with which we are faced upon our arrival at college in a way that enables us to find our own answers, but also to ask even more big questions.
This class is open to all Jewish students.
Applications are live. Email rabbijordan@washuhillel.org with any questions.
The Details
The dates for JLF 1.0: Life’s Big Questions are on Wednesdays at Hillel from 6:30-8pm: September 18; September 25; October 9; October 23; October 30, November 6, November 13, November 20; November 25; December 4
Upon completion of JLF 1.0: Life’s Big Questions, participants will receive a $300 stipend.
