Free Trial: Chosen? Jews and the World

What is this course?

This is the option to try the first session of this six-session course for free. What does it mean for the Jewish people to be both “a nation that dwells apart” and “a light to the nations”? These two callings — separation and connection, holiness and universality — have defined the Jewish story from its birth. From Abraham’s covenant beneath the stars to Isaiah’s prophetic visions, from dispersion in diaspora to the rebirth of Jewish sovereignty, our people have wrestled with a timeless tension: how to live in unique covenant with the Divine while remaining responsible for the broader human family. In an age of turbulence and moral confusion, this question rings especially true. Individually and as a people we face a profound challenge of identity and mission. Misunderstood and often isolated, we often ask: What does the world want of us, and what do we seek from the world? What is the relationship we seek with other nations? This six-part journey explores the evolving mission of the Jewish people through the Prophets, rabbinic wisdom, Kabbalistic insight, and the unfolding of Jewish history. We will study classical and contemporary texts (in Hebrew and English), engaging themes of chosenness and responsibility, separation and integration, the roots of antisemitism, and the Jewish role among the nations. Each session integrates experiential practice — guided reflection, meditation, and writing — cultivating a lived expression of the ideals we study. We will explore how to carry awareness of Divine partnership into daily life, aligning heart and action with the vision of Jewish purpose we aspire to embody. This course is open to novices and advanced learners of all backgrounds and levels. HOW DOES IT WORK? The course consists of six interactive online one-hour sessions. Each class is recorded and sent out to all registrants so that you can watch the recordings at your own convenience. There will also be an optional WhatsApp group to allow for connection and sharing between sessions. Each session includes a printable translated handout of teachings from a wide range of sources. In each session, Nadav will guide us through the texts and offer guided practices based on the topic of focus. WHEN IS IT? Wednesday Nov 12 at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK / 8pm Israel and the relevant hours in other time zones, for 1 hour. The cost of the entire course is $150. Please contact Rabbi Daniel if you would like to request subsidized registration.