Or Chadash Term Dates

Below you'll find a list of dates and topics for this year's Or Chadash course. If you're on the course, click here to access the relevant source sheets. If you would like to learn more about the classes, click here to get in touch. In 5786, most classes will take place in person at Kent House, with the option to Zoom in.  Some classes with guest speakers will take place entirely on Zoom. Please see below for a list of classes, teachers, and locations. Please note these are subject to change. * = required for WS programme. ** = required for Bet Din. 

Chanukah Term 5786

• 10 Sept – Jewish Symbols — R Kamila
• 13 Sept – Intensive Leading into Selichot* — All - sign up here
• 17 Sept – Rosh Hashanah: The Birthday of the World — R Zahavit
• 22-23 Sept – Erev Rosh Hashanah and Rosh Hashanah** (Booking required for non-members)
• 24 Sept – Yom Kippur: Teshuvah, Tefillah, Tzedakah — Yael
• 26 Sept – OC Chavurah Cohort 1 Entry* — R Zahavit
• 1-2 Oct – Erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur** (Booking required for non-members and for anyone joining the Alternate Kol Nidre service)
• 6-7 Oct – Erev Sukkot and Sukkot**
• 8 Oct – Sukkot and Simchat Torah with the Jewish Calendar — R Zahavit
• 13-14 Oct – Erev Simchat Torah and Simchat Torah**
• 15 Oct – Celebrating Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat and Home Practice — Yael
• 5 Nov – Jewish Social Justice and Mitzvah Day — R Kamila
• 12 Nov – Sefer Breishit: Patriarchs and Matriarchs — R Zahavit
• 19 Nov – Celebrating Shabbat: The Music of Services — R Kamila, Yoav
• 26 Nov – Prayer: At Home and at Synagogue — Yael
• 28 Nov – Czech Scrolls Service (optional)
• 3 Dec – Chanukah — R Zahavit
• 14–22 Dec – Chanukah**

Pesach Term 5786

• 14 Jan – Judaism and Mental Health — Sarah Abdoo
• 16 Jan – OC Chavurah Cohort 2 Entry* — Yael
• 21 Jan – Shoah: The Holocaust — Annie Cohen
• 27 Jan – Holocaust Memorial Day (optional)
• 28 Jan – Jewish History: An Overview — R Zahavit
• 4 Feb – Tu B'Shevat Seder — R Kamila and Yoav
• 11 Feb – Kashrut: An Ethical Eating Practice — Yael
• 25 Feb – Purim: Revealing the Hiddenness — Yael
• 2–3 Mar – Purim**
• 4 Mar – Women and Judaism — R Zahavit
• 11 Mar – Jews Around the World: Diversity & Inclusion — Joey Leskin
• 18 Mar – LGBT+ Jewish History — Joanna Philips
• 21 Mar – Shabbat Afternoon Intensive* (3–8 PM)
• 25 Mar – Pesach: Story, History and Meaning — R Zahavit
• 1–9 Apr – Pesach** (Booking required for Seder evening)

Shavuot Term 5786

• 13–14 Apr – Yom HaShoah (optional)
• 20–22 Apr – Yom HaZikaron / Yom Ha’atzmaut (optional)
• 22 Apr – History of Ancient and Modern Israel — R Kamila
• 24 Apr – OC Chadash Chavurah Cohort 3 Intake* — R Kamila
• 29 Apr – Oral Torah: Introduction to Talmud and Jewish Law — R Zahavit
• 6 May – The Tanakh — Yael
• 13 May – Shavuot: Receiving the Torah — Yael
• 20 May – The Conversion Process — Daniel Hollis, R Kamila
• 21–22 May – Shavuot**
• 3 Jun – Beginning of Life Ceremonies: Brit and Naming — Josh Plaut
• 10 Jun – Bar and Bat Mitzvah — R Kamila
• 17 Jun – Jewish Weddings — R Thomas
• 24 Jun – Death, Mourning and Afterlife — Yael
• 1 Jul – Ask the Rabbi and Jewish Educator — R Kamila and Yael
• 8 Jul – September Intake Reflection Session — R Zahavit