Guide for 5 Minute Jewish Learning

Posted on October 2, 2019

My Rosh HaShanah sermon centered around the ideal of Jewish learning, broadly defined. Take five minutes each day to learn more about what interests you personally about the Jewish experience.

I am here to help you find something that excites you. Feel free to contact me – afreedman@nssbethel.org. 

Here is my guide to help you find Jewish content that interests you:

Torah – 

5 in Five (video) – I explain the Parsha in five minutes. Check your Beth El weekly email. 

Covenant and Conversation (email) – Former British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks interprets the weekly Parsha. Subscribe at http://rabbisacks.org/

#Parsha (book) – Israeli journalist Sivan Rahav-Meir comments on each Parsha.

Talmud – 

Koren Talmud (book) – This new edition has an easy-to-follow English translation complete with pictures and graphics.

Mishna Yomit (web) – This introduction to Mishna is translated by the Conservative Yeshiva’s Dr. Josh Kulp. http://learn.conservativeyeshiva.org/mishnah/

Halacha/Jewish Law – 

Responsa Radio (podcast) – Rabbis Ethan Tucker and Avi Killip from Hadar offer their answers to real-life issues today.

Responsa from Committee of Jewish Law and Standards (web) – This is the official database of Jewish legal positions from the Conservative Movement. https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/jewish-law/committee-jewish-law-and-standards

Israel – 

Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn (book) – Daniel Gordis writes an introduction to Israel’s history that reads like a story. 

Times of Israel (website) – This site covers Israel in all its arenas, not just politics. 

Modern Hebrew – 

Ulpan Or (web) – While I haven’t used this program, I know people who rave about its Skype-like option for one-on-one tutoring.

If you’re not sure where to begin – 

Beth El’s Continuing Education classes (in-person classes) – A wide range of options. Click here to see current online brochure. Adult Education Fall Classes 5780

The Maxwell Abbell Library at Beth El (books) – Lots of choices here at home. 

Myjewishlearning.com (web) – This site is a clearinghouse for everything Jewish and is easy to navigate. 

Jewish Literacy (book) – Joseph Telushkin writes a wide-ranging introduction to Jewish knowledge. 

Keep in mind that there are plenty of other excellent choices out there. It doesn’t matter exactly where you begin so long as you jump in somewhere. 

I’d love to hear about your Jewish learning explorations. 

While five minutes one day is nothing, five minutes every day adds up to something significant and meaningful.

Gmar Hatimah Tovah!

Click here to read my Rosh Hashanah sermon.