Tauber Yesod: The Two-Year Core Program
Yesod (which means “foundation”) is the centerpiece of the Tauber program. This two-year curriculum is designed to impart knowledge of the central Jewish texts, thinkers, and ideas. Each trimester consists of eight sessions. Classes are in English, taught in an interactive style by Bay Area scholars. Combining lectures with hevruta (traditional partner study); Yesod creates a true community of learners.
Yesod Year One: The World of the Bible
Thursday Nights: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Fall: Torah (Pentateuch)
Themes: Creation, covenant, peoplehood, law, journeys, wrestling
Readings: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Winter: Neviim (Prophets)
Themes: Sacred history, leadership, social justice, destruction, comfort
Readings: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Book of the Twelve.
Spring: Ketuvim (Writings)
Themes: Trials of the human condition, devotion, ecstasy and despair, biblical truth and fiction
Readings: Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles
2012 - 2013
Fall – October 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15, 29; December 6, 13
Winter – January 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7
Spring – March 21; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16
Yesod Year One meets for 24 classes over three trimesters: Fall, Winter and Spring.
$240 member, $360 non-member
Register here
Yesod Year Two: The World of the Rabbis
Thursday Nights: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
(For Yesod students who have completed three trimesters of Yesod Year One: The World of the Bible)
Fall: Rabbinic Period
Themes: Debate, interpretation, authority, community
Readings: Mishnah, Tosefta, Midrash Halacha, Midrash Aggadah, Jerusalem Talmud, Babylonian Talmud
Winter: Medieval Period
Themes: Biblical exegesis, Ashkenaz and Sephard, eschatology, rationalism, spirituality.
Readings: Rashi, Maimonides, Nachmanides, Ibn Ezra, Judah Halevi, Joseph Karo
Spring: Modern Period
Themes: Enlightenment, Theodicy, Denominationalism, Zionism, Feminism.
Readings: Spinoza, Mendelsohn, Buber, Heschel, Kaplan
2012 - 2013
Fall – October 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15, 29; December 6, 13
Winter – January 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7
Spring – March 21; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16
Yesod Year Two meets for 24 classes over three trimesters: Fall, Winter and Spring.
$240 member, $360 non-member
Register here
The Tauber Jewish Studies Program is made possible by The Laszlo N. Tauber Family Foundation, reflecting the dynamic, generous, and enduring spirit of Dr. Laszlo N. Tauber.
A program of the Madeleine Haas Russell Institute of Jewish Learning.