Question 1

Who learns at Torah Studio?

Accepted Answer

We welcome anyone who is interested in learning and engaging with Torah in a pluralistic Jewish space. We are a learning home for many folks before, during, and after their conversions, as well as to people who grew up learning Torah every day.

Torah Studio learners are curious about developing/healing a relationship with Torah, dedicated to learning, and care about people who they learn with. A Torah Studio learner is willing to take some risks: in joining a class at all,  in being willing to examine difficult texts closely, and in being open to having their minds changed.

Question 2

What happens in a Torah Studio Class?

Accepted Answer

All Torah Studio classes follow this basic Timeline to some degree:

Class Introduction
The teacher will share everything you need to know to participate in class that day.

Partnered Learning (aka Hevruta) 
For 15-35 minutes, you will be in a breakout room with 1 or 2 other students. You will be given a guide for how to spend this time learning together. I know you don't believe me now, but this time flies. You can request a specific person via advance email or private DM to the teacher/zoom tech.

Discussion 
The whole class comes back together to put their separate puzzle pieces together. This discussion is moderated by the teacher.

Source Sheets are sent out to students 1 hour before class begins - no advance preparation is needed or expected.

Question 3

What do you mean by "Drop In"?

Accepted Answer

Our classes run like a Yoga Studio! Weekly classes are available to anyone, anytime. 
You can purchase a Drop In ticket on this page up to the minute class begins. Whenever you find us, or have a free evening, we're here.

Class Passes are available all quarter for folks who want to sign up for all upcoming sessions of a course.

Question 4

Are your Classes recorded?

Accepted Answer

Torah Studio Classes (drop in & class pass) are not recorded.

These sessions are meant to be live experiences for learning, practice, and community building.

Torah Studio Events are recorded and available for purchase and download in our store.

We are working on creating more async content in the future. Keep an eye out :)

Question 5

What classes do you offer & how often do they change?

Accepted Answer

We run on a quarter system and offer classes for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Each quarter is 10 weeks.

We have three Classes that run every quarter: 
Monday Psalms with Lexi
Tuesday Art Midrash with Jay Smith 
Wednesdays Parsha Study (alternating teachers)

We usually offer at least one additional Class per quarter.

Question 6

How much does this cost?

Accepted Answer

Our primary goal is that you get to learn. Your class ticket directly allows us to pay your teachers and cover all class overhead.

Our Classes are priced at $5-25/class sliding scale, with $15 being our suggested price.

Events are all donation based, with alternating suggested donations.

Intensives/Beta-tests are multi-session and high intensity, and cost more per session than a drop in class.

You can change how much you pay any time, for any reason. Email us if it is not financially safe for you to pay anything at the moment/for a while - no questions asked.

Learn more about our pricing model here.

Question 7

Do your classes require Participation?

Accepted Answer

Our classes require active and live participation every week.

You will be expected to be able to actively communicate with your Learning Partner (hevruta)* while you are in break out rooms.

There is no participation expectations in our discussions. You'll never be called on with a questions or required answer (we do love to quote our students' interpretations and offer them the option to elaborate)*. But we believe it's important to show some sign of presence and attention to your learning community. Consider what level feels possible that day, for example: leaving your video on as you listen, using the chat in some form, or using reactions.

*All of our teachers are excited to make sure your learning experience is as empowering as possible. Our classes are small, personal, and change with the people who fill them. We hope you will trust us in helping you make sure this learning  is not just accessible but enjoyable.

Question 8

Do I need to know Hebrew?

Accepted Answer

None of our classes require any Hebrew knowledge.* In fact, we don't need to you know anything about Judaism before you join.

If you know Hebrew, use it! If you don't, leave it or learn it. It's up to you how you engage with Torah - there's no "right way" to learn. You can always ask our teachers to help translate and decode the Hebrew in your Hevrutas so you can not only learn the answer but get the tools to do it yourself.

Do you want to learn Hebrew? Check out Lexi's Biblical Hebrew TTRPG: Worlds To Come!

* If this is no-longer true, give liana@thetorahstudio.org a quick email so she can fix this!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS