Community Events

Meeting Time:
The last two Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 PM January–June (unless otherwise noted). Taught by Rabbi Abe. Light refreshments will be served.

Course Objective:
The Zohar teaches that the sulam—Jacob’s ladder—serves as a profound metaphor for prayer. Within Jewish mysticism, prayer is understood as the spiritual ladder through which the human soul ascends toward the Divine. This course offers an in-depth exploration of the nature of prayer and the historical,
philosophical, and theological origins of Jewish liturgy. Through the study of classical texts drawn from Tanakh, Talmud, Midrash, Kabbalah, and Hasidut, we will examine the development of prayer and its role as a central mode of Jewish religious expression.

Each session will incorporate ḥevruta-style learning, allowing participants to engage collaboratively in paired and small-group study of primary source texts, fostering thoughtful discussion and deeper insight. Our aim is to cultivate a nuanced understanding of the diverse customs, historical developments, legal frameworks, philosophical perspectives, and structural foundations of tefillah and the siddur. By integrating rigorous scholarship with spiritual reflection, participants will gain the tools to approach prayer with greater knowledge, intentionality, and spiritual fluency.

No prior knowledge of Hebrew or Judaism is required.

Course is free and available both in-person and via Zoom. Please register by contacting the office at office@AKSE.org or 302-762-2705.

First two sessions —
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Tuesday, Jan. 27