The Jewish University
The Jewish University is a growing international program which provides a comprehensive system of Jewish adult education.
The Jewish University offers you…
• Fluency in the most important areas of Jewish life, thought, and history.
• In-depth knowledge of the entire Torah.
• A clear grasp of the essentials of Jewish philosophy.
• A comprehensive overview of Jewish history from Abraham to modern times.
Classes are offered in the following cities: Atlanta, Boca Raton, Calgary, Columbus, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Pittsburgh
• Authenticity
Perhaps the most unique aspect of TJU is that all classes are taught using primary source texts. Our goal is to give you the opportunity to engage the material directly, through close analysis, critical examination and thorough discussion. This method gives the student the opportunity to wrestle with the text and see it in its proper context. All materials are translated and organized to make them accessible to students of all levels.
• Comprehensiveness
TJU was designed to give you a comprehensive course of Jewish knowledge. Neither Sunday school nor cultural experiences can provide a sophisticated, thorough understanding of Judaism. TJU will give you a grounding in the most essential areas of Jewish history, philosophy, and practice, as well as a solid grounding in the entire text of the Torah.
No specific Judaic background is required. Our students are from all educational backgrounds with varying degrees of affiliation. ranging in age from young adults to retirees. The classes are designed to be enriching and meaningful for all Jews regardless of background.
I felt completely comfortable, challenged, and inspired on a weekly basis. Overall, I feel more connected with the local Jewish community and more knowledgeable regarding Jewish traditions, history and customs. I would recommend this program to anyone who is serious about Jewish learning, especially those who want to learn and grow in a non-judgmental setting.
- Dr. Adam BursteinTJU provides a thought-provoking, intellectually challenging and stimulating educational experience. All of the rabbis and teachers offer unique insights and teaching styles that enliven the text study. Students are encouraged to ask questions, which enriches the learning experience. In spite of long work days, I looked forward to the weekly classes and believe that my Jewish knowledge and interest in ongoing learning were both strengthened as a result of TJU.
- Shere Kahn
2011-2012: Three Tracks, Two Locations
Sunday mornings OR Wednesday evenings at
Robert E. Loup JCC
350 S. Dahlia, Denver
Monday evenings at
Aish Denver
7550 E. Belleview, Greenwood Village
Classes begin the last week in October.
• Sunday mornings, 10:00 a.m. -12:20 p.m. Studying Year 3 Curriculum at the JCC
• Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m. Studying Year 2 Curriculum at Aish Denver
• Wednesday evenings, 7-9 p.m. Studying Year 2 Curriculum at the JCC
Each session consists of two 50-minute classes with a break between the two.
Each semester of TJU is approximately 7 weeks in length and includes pauses for calendar holidays. Please see the calendar for a detailed schedule.
TJU instructors are expert scholars and engaging lecturers. They are warm and non-judgemental. Their care and concern for their students go beyond the classroom. Students can approach them with any question, academic or personal.
Rabbi Ahron Y. Wasserman is the Director of The Jewish Experience. He received his rabbinic ordination and Master’s of Talmudic Studies from Beth Medrash Gevoha in Lakewood, NJ. Descended from a long line of Jewish communal leaders, Rabbi Wasserman is a passionate visionary dedicated to building a more vibrant, richer Jewish community in Denver.
Rabbi Raphael Leban is the Outreach Director of The Jewish Experience. A student of the Mir Yeshiva in Israel, he received Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbi Z. N. Goldberg of the Jerusalem Beis Din. The author of Torah Today, and the weekly publication Sparks of Torah, Rabbi Leban also has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Judaic Studies. He is also an expert skier who loves teaching, shmoozing and cholent.
Rabbi Yaakov Meyer is the founder and spiritual leader of AISH Denver. He has taught hundreds of classes and inspired thousands of metro-area Jews. A son-in-law of Rabbi Stanley Wagner and student of Yeshiva Toras Chaim, Rabbi Meyer has a long impactful history in Denver, and is credited with transforming Denver’s South East Jewish community.
Dr. Mordechai Mishory is a practicing psychologist in Denver and has been a Senior Educator at The Jewish Experience for many years, teaching popular classes on Jewish Spirituality, Mussar and Classical Jewish Philosophy. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix Graduate School of Psychology.
Aliza Bulow is the National Coordinator for Ner LeElef’s North American Women’s Program, and a Senior Educator for The Jewish Experience. Aliza attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem and also served in the Nachal Torani division of the Israeli Defense Forces.
The curriculum of The Jewish University consists of four modules, the combination of which is intended to give you a comprehensive knowledge of the primary areas of Judaic thought and scholarship.
Jump in at any time! While The Jewish University operates in a 3-year cycle, you can join at the beginning of any year. The curriculum has been designed so that the material of each year is independent of the material taught in a previous year. Just jump in and stay for three years and you will complete the curriculum.
• Jewish Thought
Learn and understand the foundational ideas and concepts which form the basis for Judaic thinking through the ages. This module covers the Jewish approach to free will, suffering, the development of Jewish law, the afterlife, and more – all studied with authentic source texts and class discussion.
• Jewish History
Some of the most crucial aspects of Judaic self-knowledge stem from a clear understanding of Jewish history. This course covers the entire gamut of Jewish history, from Abraham all the way to the modern era.
• Jewish Living
Life as a Jew is greatly enriched by an understanding of the basic details and meanings of the rituals, customs, and observances of Jewish life. Learn the meaning of the holidays and their customs, understand the rituals which mark the passages of life, find the richness of the Jewish practices that suffuse our daily lives – all through the study of authentic text sources.
• The Book
The Torah is the foundational text of our people. For this reason, participants of TJU are taken on a tour of the entire body of the Five Books of Moses. Learn about the essential personalities, events, and lessons of the entire Torah in a mere three years.
Yearly Tuition:
$200 for one year
$50 non-refundable registration fee. (Applied toward tuition when you pay remainder.) Registrants are not committed to the entire 3-year program.
Call for information on scholarships.
$350 for two attendees registering together
Any two people who register together are eligible for the special rate. The two need not be spouses or relatives. Just get a friend to sign up with you, and you pay only $175 each.
