Suggested donation: $25 per session. Your contribution supports the sustainability of the class and allows flexible pricing for everyone. Contributions may be made at checkout upon completing your course registration, or separately at tcjewfolk.com/donate.

Class Description: Join us for lively discussion, rich text study, and compelling analysis. As we come to each Torah portion each year, we find new inspiration, new meanings, and new connections with the text. We use materials that enable us to access the depth and richness of Hasidic spirituality presented in contemporary terms. Our texts (in English) are the comments of a Hasidic master on the Torah portion, and its extension based in mindfulness practice and Jewish spirituality.

Classes are designed for drop-in participation; no prior knowledge is necessary or expected.

Instructor Bio: Sara Lynn remembers receiving her first chumash (volume of Torah) in 3rd grade – and thus was born a life-long love of studying Torah. Born in Chicago, she landed in St. Paul in 1989 where she came to work at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul Day School because the mission and vision resonated with her soul. After serving in many roles at TTSP, she served as the Director of Hineni from its inception in 2014 to 2022. She believes passionately in the importance of Jewish learning and the impact it can have on people’s lives. She loves exploring Jewish texts, customs, values, and ideas with students. Sara Lynn enjoys cooking, gardening, visiting with friends, singing, and being outdoors. Sara Lynn is married to Barbie Levine and is Savta to Ruby and Lucy.

Summer - Winter 2026 Session Dates: 
Tuesdays
June 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21
Aug 4, 25
Sept 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Oct 6, 13, 20, 27
Nov 3, 10, 17, 24
Dec 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Suggested donation: $20 per session. Your contribution supports the sustainability of the class and allows flexible pricing for everyone. Contributions may be made at checkout upon completing your course registration, or separately at tcjewfolk.com/donate.

Class Description: Mindfulness meditation is a practice that can support and sustain our Jewish lives and the fulfillment of our Jewish values. This practice helps to make our minds more spacious, perceptive, and free.

Each session will include a short teaching followed by a sitting period. Drop-in; no experience necessary.

Instructor Bio: Sara Lynn remembers receiving her first chumash (volume of Torah) in 3rd grade – and thus was born a life-long love of studying Torah. Born in Chicago, she landed in St. Paul in 1989 where she came to work at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul Day School because the mission and vision resonated with her soul. After serving in many roles at TTSP, she served as the Director of Hineni from its inception in 2014 to 2022. She believes passionately in the importance of Jewish learning and the impact it can have on people’s lives. She loves exploring Jewish texts, customs, values, and ideas with students. Sara Lynn enjoys cooking, gardening, visiting with friends, singing, and being outdoors. Sara Lynn is married to Barbie Levine and is Savta to Ruby and Lucy.

Summer-Winter 2026 Session Dates: Thursdays 
June 25
July 9, 16, 30
Aug 6, 13, 20, 27
Sept 3, 10, 17, 24
Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov 5, 12, 19
Dec 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Suggested donation: $25 per session. Your contribution supports the sustainability of the class and allows flexible pricing for everyone. Contributions may be made at checkout upon completing your course registration, or separately at tcjewfolk.com/donate.

Class Description: Who doesn’t love a good story? And especially a story that has a big idea connected to other big ideas? Join us as we take our time to read these texts slowly, working to consider why they were written and what messages we might learn (or push back on) from them.

Sefer HaAggadah is a massive collection of aggadot/tales, arranged thematically, and gleaned in the early 20th century by Bialik and Ravnitzky from classic Jewish sources (up to about 1000 CE).

Classes are designed for drop-in participation; no prior knowledge is necessary or expected.

Instructor Bio: Sara Lynn remembers receiving her first chumash (volume of Torah) in 3rd grade – and thus was born a life-long love of studying Torah. Born in Chicago, she landed in St. Paul in 1989 where she came to work at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul Day School because the mission and vision resonated with her soul. After serving in many roles at TTSP, she served as the Director of Hineni from its inception in 2014 to 2022. She believes passionately in the importance of Jewish learning and the impact it can have on people’s lives. She loves exploring Jewish texts, customs, values, and ideas with students. Sara Lynn enjoys cooking, gardening, visiting with friends, singing, and being outdoors. Sara Lynn is married to Barbie Levine and is Savta to Ruby and Lucy.

Summer - Winter 2026 Session Dates: 
Fridays 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
June 26
July 10, 17, 31
Aug 7, 21, 28
Sept 18, 25
Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Nov 6, 13, 20
Dec 4, 11, 18  

Meets Mondays 7:00-8:30 PM 

Course Description: Dreaming of learning Hebrew? Now’s your chance! Join us for a fun and lively weekly Zoom class with fellow Twin Cities learners. 

This college-level course, designed by Susie Chalom, is perfect for beginners. The curriculum and price are tailored for busy adults. You’ll start with basic Hebrew conversation and quickly find yourself chatting about everyday topics. We’ll spice things up with current events, songs, and videos.

Prerequiste:

Students taking this class need to know to read and write the Hebrew alphabet. 

Required Materials:

First and Foremost Hebrew for Beginners and More (Barosh Uvarishona Ivrit Laramat Matchilim Veod), Textbook + Workbook

Link to purchase from Gefen Publishing

Link to purchase from Amazon

Class Sessions: 

Oct 5, 12, 19, 26

Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Dec. 7, 14, 21

 Meets Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 PM 

Class Description: Improve your ability to speak, understand, read and write Modern Hebrew with Susie Chalom, a master teacher who strives for every student to succeed in learning everyday Hebrew.

These classes are lively, engaging, and tailored for busy adults. Our curriculum moves at an easy but steady pace — with minimal homework — and incorporates modern Israeli texts and media, Quizlet flashcards, and games like Kahoot to enhance engagement and increase learning. 

Advanced Conversational Hebrew will allow you to expand your vocabulary and grammar and to read, write and speak more fluently. This is not an introductory-level course: newer learners are encouraged to enroll in our Conversational Hebrew for Beginners and Intermediate Conversational Hebrew courses, depending on participants’ level and familiarity with the language.

Required Materials:

First and Foremost Hebrew for Beginners and More (Barosh Uvarishona Ivrit Laramat Matchilim Veod), Textbook + Workbook

Link to purchase from Gefen Publishing

Link to purchase from Amazon

Session Dates: 

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27

Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24

Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22

Class Description
This is a 6 session virtual class.

What does the Torah have to say about the concept of bashert — destined life partners — and what does it truly mean to build a relationship rooted in holiness, trust, and mutual growth?

In this engaging virtual course, we will explore timeless Torah wisdom on couplehood, examining classical Torah and Rabbinic sources and practical insights. We'll explore concepts such as authentic communication, emotional awareness, and Divine matchmaking and consider how the Torah's wisdom can transform relationships and strengthen connections. 

Dates
6 virtual sessions on Wednesdays from 8-9pm (every other week)
October 7, 21
November 4, 18
December 2, 16 

Details
Each registration includes admission for the registrant and one partner and while this is a six session class, each lesson will focus on a distinct topic.

Meet Dalia

Dalia Davis is a Jewish educator and artist who is passionate about creating opportunities for healing and spiritual growth. She is the Director of Pastoral Education at SVIVAH and an educator who loves studying with students of all ages. Dalia is involved with Jewish curricular design for Smith Jewish Day School, Congregation Darchei Noam, and teaches classes for various other educational spaces around the Twin Cities. She is a facilitator for the Jewish Arts Collective and is a choreographer whose dance pieces reflect upon Jewish thought and express the experiences of Jewish women through movement. Dalia also co-founded Uprooted: A Jewish Response to Fertility Journeys, and authored Fertility Journeys: A Jewish Healing Guide for Mayyim Hayyim. 

Dalia graduated from Yeshivat Maharat’s Advance Kollel, majored in Jewish History and Dance at Barnard College and studied in Israel at Nishmat. She also received an M.A. in Jewish Education from Y.U. and a certificate in Talmud and Halacha from GPATS.  

Meet Max

Rabbi Max Davis feels blessed to have served as the rabbi of Congregation Darchei Noam for the past ten years.  Since receiving Semicha from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and an MA in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University, Rabbi Davis has also served communities in Berkeley, CA and Springfield, MA.  It is an open secret that the real secret to his rabbinate is the wisdom and partnership of his wife, Rabbanit Dalia!  They are blessed with four primary teachers, their daughters Revaya, Hodaya, Tifferet and Kalaniya.

Meets online, Thursdays 7-8:30 PM

Class Description: Improve your ability to speak, understand, read and write Modern Hebrew with Susie Chalom, a master teacher who strives for every student to succeed in learning everyday Hebrew.

Classes are lively, supportive, and fun, with plenty of conversation, practical vocabulary, and clear grammar review. Along with the language, students explore Israeli culture through songs, short news articles, and videos, bringing Hebrew to life. By the end of our 12 sessions together, students will better understand spoken Hebrew, express their ideas more smoothly, and enjoy reading authentic texts with confidence.

Intermediate Conversational Hebrew will allow you to expand your vocabulary and grammar and to read, write and speak more fluently. This is not an introductory-level course: newer learners are encouraged to enroll in our Conversational Hebrew for Beginners. Students who are prepared for a higher level may wish to consider Advanced Conversational Hebrew.

Required Materials:

First and Foremost: Hebrew for Beginners and More (Barosh Uvarishona Ivrit Laramat Matchilim Veod), Textbook + Workbook

Link to purchase from Gefen Publishing

Link to purchase from Amazon

Session Dates: 

Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29

Nov. 5, 12, 19

Dec. 3, 10, 17

Jan. 7, 21

Class Description
This is a 4 session class.

Perhaps the most sacrosanct liturgical verse within Judaism is: "SHEMA YISRAEL YAH ELOHAYNU YAH ECHAD.”  We often say the Shema in a rote fashion. The intent of this class is to unpack the spiritual meanings within each word by delving inside their Hebrew letters. Through class discussion, experiential exercises, and reciting the Shema, we will deepen our learning of the Shema as a spiritual practice in communal settings and for personal meditation. 

Class Dates
Wednesdays
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Minneapolis

Oct 14, 21, 28
Nov 4

Instructor Bio

Daniel Berlin has been a Licensed Psychologist in private practice since 1989 and a Certified Jewish Spiritual Guide since 2003. He is also a Level 3 Internal Family Systems Model provider. He specializes in the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy.

This class is brought to you by TC Jewfolk's FolkLab in partnership with Minnesota JCC.