Learning Fellowships
These various conversational, cohort-based seminars are for those looking to deepen their understanding and connection to Judaism on their own terms. When you participate you’ll have the opportunity to ask the big questions – Who am I? What communities am I part of? What is worth committing myself to, and why?
We make no claims about the “right” way to practice or not practice Judaism. Our job is to help you explore the tradition and find your own place, on your terms, in some of Judaism’s great conversations. We want to nourish you (dinner/lunch is a part of the experience) and value your time (KY and 4tM include a stipend for eligible participants).
Each semester, there are different cohorts, taught by various members of the Hillel staff. Students who participate come from diverse backgrounds and have a broad range of experience with Jewish learning. These cohorts are about meeting you where you are, bringing all of our knowledge, curiosity, and learning together.
Fall 2026 Cohorts
Life’s Big Questions
Taught by Samantha Brody Marks and Skylar Elbinger; Wednesdays 12-1:30pm, Hillel Lounge, Sept. 30–Dec. 2
Join us as we explore the Big Questions™️: Who am I? Where do I come from? What do I stand for? What kind of friend am I? Whether you're navigating your first semester of college or looking for a meaningful opportunity for regular Jewish learning, JLF: LBQ offers a space to wrestle, reflect, and grow alongside a thoughtful community.
Sex, Love, and Relationships
Taught by Morgan Figa, Mondays 12-1:30, Hillel Lounge, Sept. 28–Dec. 4
JLF: SLR invites participants into deep, honest conversations about intimacy, connection, and the values that shape our most personal relationships. Using a mix of ancient Jewish wisdom and contemporary texts, we’ll explore how tradition, culture, and personal experience inform our understanding of sex, love, and relationships today. This cohort is a space for thoughtful reflection on the complexities of modern relationships. Together, we’ll examine our assumptions, articulate our values, and begin to shape a holistic sexual ethic: a framework for making intentional and meaningful choices in our intimate lives.
Four the Moment (4tM)
Bridging: Building Relationships Across Difference
Taught by Benji Stern and Aviva Nahar Welber; Tuesdays 5-7:30pm; Hillel Lounge, Oct. 6–Oct. 27
4tM Bridging: Building Relationships Across Difference is a powerful opportunity to start developing the mindset and skills needed to communicate meaningfully across divides—on campus, in our communities, and in the wider world. In a time of deep polarization and increasing complexity, this course helps us lean into difference with curiosity rather than fear, and connection rather than judgment. Rooted in Jewish values and narratives, this course invites participants to reflect on their own experiences and identities while building empathy for others whose worldviews and stories may be very different from their own. Through structured exercises, real dialogue, and Jewish learning, we’ll explore how to become more effective, thoughtful, and courageous communicators. Note that this is a special, extended 4tM curriculum that will offer 6 sessions rather than the usual 4.