MEOR - The University Jewish Experience

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the classes about?

How are the lessons structured?

Who are the participants in the program?

What is the goal of the trips?

How can I be accepted to this great program?

Why do you do this program?

What are the classes about?
Judaism is an all encompassing world view. On this program we concentrate less on the technical how-tos of Judaism and more on the all-encompassing life system that Judaism builds. The existential questions that have plagued mankind for eternity, are explored through the Jewish perspective. What is the purpose of life? Why am I here? What happens after death? Is there such a thing as free choice? How does one exercise it?

Judaism gives direction in the here and now world also. How can I build a meaningful life for myself? How can I create a successful male-female relationship? Medical ethics, business ethics, our relationship to the animal kingdom…Judaism is both revolutionary and electrifyingly insightful on these topics.

How are the lessons structured?
The student is obligated to participate in two and one half hour weekly learning sessions, and three trips per semester. The learning session is divided into three parts.

Lecture
This hour long lecture is given frontally and involves little give and take. Each week a different topic in Jewish philosophy is presented. This hour long lecture gives you a chance to meet a topic in Jewish philosophy without interruptions. Click here for a list of topics.
Discussion Group
Every week the group is divided into three, each with its own rabbi as discussion leader. The purpose of this part of the evening is three-fold:

During the lecture, there is less time to discuss, integrate and express your own opinions. The discussion group gives you a chance to air your own opinions, and meet the opinions of others in your group.

Occasionally the discussion group will revolve around text. This gives you an opportunity to meet the text inside.

The discussion group gives you a chance to get to know your group leader which often is a window into a different world. Our impressions about different societal groups are often based on media stereotypes. The great divide between different parts of the Jewish community sometimes does not allow us to meet on a personal level. This part of the evening gives us a chance to meet and talk on a personal level with a rabbi or Jewish leader in an open and non-confrontational way.
Throughout the program we will have an opportunity to hear from various communal leaders who are involved in all types of Jewish communal affairs. Whether through their professions as doctors, lawyers, business people, politicians or directly working for the community and Jewish organizations, we will be exposed to the inner workings of how these people try to make this world a better place. Click here for a list of topics and speakers.

Who are the participants in the program?
Acceptance to the program does not require any previous knowledge or background in Jewish studies. What it does require is a certain mindset. We are looking for bright, intelligent, open-minded, creative Jewish students who enjoy meeting new ideas. We are specifically looking for students who have not had the opportunity to explore Judaism in depth. The program requires both a time commitment and a commitment to being intellectually present at all our sessions.

What is the goal of the trips?
Our trips are designed to give participants a window into Jewish life. In each place we will learn about the place this institution holds in Judaism and will try to capture some of its depth and meaning to Jewish life.

How can I be accepted to this great program?
Acceptance into the program is open to any intelligent, open-minded Jewish student who has not had an opportunity to study Judaism in depth. Acceptance requires a rigorous interview process as well as filling out an application. The Program Board reserves the right to accept or reject any student at their discretion.

Why do you do this program?
The purpose of this program is to strengthen Jewish identity and to create Jewish lay leaders. It has been our experience that any participant in the program will enrich and deepen his awareness of Judaism and will walk out of the program a prouder and more knowledgeable Jew. In essence, free choice is about education. The more a person knows about Judaism, the more he is in a position to choose how much of a place she or he may want to give Judaism in their lives in the future.