Valley Beit Midrash

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Rabbi Arthur Kurzweil will explore 15 of the many profound and fundamental ideas of Jewish theology to be found in the contemporary classic, The Thirteen Petalled Rose, written by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: "Arthur Kurzweil is a writer, publisher, editor and magician. He is the author of several books including On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz, Pebbles of Wisdom from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, The Torah for Dummies, Kabbalah for Dummies, and From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Family History." DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP​​​​​​​ For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/ https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi...​ Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month! Click the link to see our membership options: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Enjoy the eighth session of Valley Beit Midrash's "The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!" series. (1 per week for 40 weeks). Topic: Tamar Ross vs. Judith Plaskow In this class, we will explore the 40 greatest debates in Jewish history. We will study texts, reflect on the historical contexts, and discuss the values involved. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz will present for about 20-30 minutes and then the remaining 30-40 minutes will be for questions and conversation. DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP​​​​​​​ For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/ https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi...​ Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month! Click the link to see our membership options: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Join Professor David Weitzner for a Zoom discussion on how Jewish can transform Capitalism.

Join Rabbi Avi Herzog for a Zoom webinar on Halachic decision-making in modern times.

Join Rabbi Micha Odenheimer in collaboration for a conversation on the history of the global south.

ABOUT THIS CLASS: Mitzvot are oftentimes understood as outward-facing actions, but doing the internal work to develop one’s middot, or character traits, is equally a mitzvah we are called to fulfill. The Torah, both in law and narrative, has much to teach us about cultivating a healthy personality of Humility, Patience, Gratitude, Order, and more. In this series – inspired by the works of Rabbi David Jaffe and Alan Morinis – we will journey through a number of the core character traits, study their appearances in canonical Jewish works, and explore practical ways of becoming better citizens, family members, and friends through the practice of Mussar. Class 8 discusses the trait "Savlanut". ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Originally from Los Angeles (where he was a successful child actor), Rabbi Loren Berman is the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Jewish Educator for Moishe House and an Outreach and Engagement Associate at Sefaria. Previously, he was the supervisor of High Holidays programming at Riker’s Island Corr

Enjoy the seventh session of Valley Beit Midrash's "The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!" series. (1 per week for 40 weeks). Topic: Abraham vs. God In this class, we will explore the 40 greatest debates in Jewish history. We will study texts, reflect on the historical contexts, and discuss the values involved. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz will present for about 20-30 minutes and then the remaining 30-40 minutes will be for questions and conversation. DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP​​​​​​​ For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/ https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi...​ Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month! Click the link to see our membership options: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

ABOUT THIS CLASS: Mitzvot are oftentimes understood as outward-facing actions, but doing the internal work to develop one’s middot, or character traits, is equally a mitzvah we are called to fulfill. The Torah, both in law and narrative, has much to teach us about cultivating a healthy personality of Humility, Patience, Gratitude, Order, and more. In this series – inspired by the works of Rabbi David Jaffe and Alan Morinis – we will journey through a number of the core character traits, study their appearances in canonical Jewish works, and explore practical ways of becoming better citizens, family members, and friends through the practice of Mussar. Class 7 discusses the trait "Savlanut". ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Originally from Los Angeles (where he was a successful child actor), Rabbi Loren Berman is the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Jewish Educator for Moishe House and an Outreach and Engagement Associate at Sefaria. Previously, he was the supervisor of High Holidays programming at Riker’s Island Corr

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and has been named by The Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews and one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America. Rabbi Yanklowitz is the author of nineteen books on Jewish ethics and his writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. He has served as speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and a Rothschild Fellow in Cambridge, UK. Rav Shmuly received a Masters from Harvard University and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He serves as the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (Jewish learning center), the Founder & President of Uri L’Tzedek (the

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Aviva Richman is a Rosh Yeshiva at Hadar, and has been on the faculty since 2010. A graduate of Oberlin College, she was ordained by Rabbi Danny Landes and completed a doctorate in Talmud at NYU. Interests included Talmud, Halakhah, Midrash and gender, and also a healthy dose of niggunim.

ABOUT THIS CLASS: Mitzvot are oftentimes understood as outward-facing actions, but doing the internal work to develop one’s middot, or character traits, is equally a mitzvah we are called to fulfill. The Torah, both in law and narrative, has much to teach us about cultivating a healthy personality of Humility, Patience, Gratitude, Order, and more. In this series – inspired by the works of Rabbi David Jaffe and Alan Morinis – we will journey through a number of the core character traits, study their appearances in canonical Jewish works, and explore practical ways of becoming better citizens, family members, and friends through the practice of Mussar. Class 6 discusses the trait "Chesed". ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Originally from Los Angeles (where he was a successful child actor), Rabbi Loren Berman is the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Jewish Educator for Moishe House and an Outreach and Engagement Associate at Sefaria. Previously, he was the supervisor of High Holidays programming at Riker’s Island Correc

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the first of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and has been named by The Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews and one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America. Rabbi Yanklowitz is the author of nineteen books on Jewish ethics and his writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. He has served as speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and a Rothschild Fellow in Cambridge, UK. Rav Shmuly received a Masters from Harvard University and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He serves as the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (Jewish learning center), the Founder & President of Uri L’Tzedek (the

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Michelle Cohen Farber is the founder of Hadran, whose mission is to advance Talmud study for all women. She is also the founder and teacher of Daf Yomi for Women, the first women's online shiur on daf yomi. Michelle spearheaded the first international Siyum HaShas for Women. Michelle and her husband, Seth, founded and lead Kehillat Netivot in Ra'anana where they live with their five children.

A virtual community event to celebrate Rabbi Mari Chernow! Speakers *Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson (Chancellor Emeritus – HUC-JIR/New York) – KEYNOTE SPEAKER *Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz (President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash *Stan Hammerman (Founding Board Chair at Valley Beit Midrash) *Rabbi Darren Kleinberg (Founding Executive Director of Valley Beit Midrash) *Rabbi Elana Kanter (The Women’s Jewish Learning Center) *Rabbi John Linder (Temple Solel) *Rabbi Bonnie Koppel (Temple Chai) *Cantor Ross Wolman (Temple Chai)

Enjoy the sixth session of Valley Beit Midrash's "The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!" series. (1 per week for 40 weeks). Topic: Einstein, Freud & Marx vs The Sages In this class, we will explore the 40 greatest debates in Jewish history. We will study texts, reflect on the historical contexts, and discuss the values involved. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz will present for about 20-30 minutes and then the remaining 30-40 minutes will be for questions and conversation. DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP​​​​​​​ For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/ https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi...​ Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month! Click the link to see our membership options: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

A new VBM interview! Adam Lehman (President of Hillel International) interviewed by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowtiz. About the Speaker: Adam Lehman serves as Hillel International’s President and CEO. After beginning his career in Mergers and Acquisitions at Skadden, Arps, Lehman spent two decades developing and growing a variety of new technology, marketing and media ventures, including as a Senior Vice President at AOL. Lehman joined Hillel International in 2015, initially serving as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer for four years, prior to being appointed Hillel International’s fifth President and CEO in December of 2019. Lehman graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from Dartmouth College and cum laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He was a Harry S. Truman Scholar. Lehman has served as a board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah and Fair Chance D.C., and as a volunteer at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School and Camp Ramah of

ABOUT THIS CLASS: Mitzvot are oftentimes understood as outward-facing actions, but doing the internal work to develop one’s middot, or character traits, is equally a mitzvah we are called to fulfill. The Torah, both in law and narrative, has much to teach us about cultivating a healthy personality of Humility, Patience, Gratitude, Order, and more. In this series – inspired by the works of Rabbi David Jaffe and Alan Morinis – we will journey through a number of the core character traits, study their appearances in canonical Jewish works, and explore practical ways of becoming better citizens, family members, and friends through the practice of Mussar. Class 5 discusses the trait "Kavod". ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Originally from Los Angeles (where he was a successful child actor), Rabbi Loren Berman is the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Jewish Educator for Moishe House and an Outreach and Engagement Associate at Sefaria. Previously, he was the supervisor of High Holidays programming at Riker’s Island Correct

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Join Valley Beit Midrash’s President & Dean, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, for the third and final part of a three-part series about the Jewish conception of the afterlife. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz has twice been named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek and has been named by The Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews and one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America. Rabbi Yanklowitz is the author of nineteen books on Jewish ethics and his writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. He has served as speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and a Rothschild Fellow in Cambridge, UK. Rav Shmuly received a Masters from Harvard University and his Doctorate from Columbia University. He serves as the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash (Jewish learning center), the Founder & President of Uri L

Join Valley Beit Midrash for this virtual panel! ABOUT THIS PANEL: What can the last decade of American Jewish life teach us about what is most urgent about the next decade? PANELISTS: Professor Stan Mirvis, Rabbi Herschel "Brodie" Aberson, Rabbi Nitzan Stein Kokin. DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP​​​​​​​ For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/ https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi...​ Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month! Click the link to see our membership options: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/

Enjoy the fifth session of Valley Beit Midrash's "The 40 Greatest Debates in Jewish History!" series. (1 per week for 40 weeks). Topic: Reform Judaism vs. Orthodox Judaism In this class, we will explore the 40 greatest debates in Jewish history. We will study texts, reflect on the historical contexts, and discuss the values involved. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz will present for about 20-30 minutes and then the remaining 30-40 minutes will be for questions and conversation. DONATE: http://www.bit.ly/1NmpbsP​​​​​​​ For podcasts of VBM lectures, GO HERE: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/learning-library/ https://www.facebook.com/valleybeitmi...​ Become a member today, starting at just $18 per month! Click the link to see our membership options: https://www.valleybeitmidrash.org/become-a-member/