How to Learn About Judaism Online

A guide to self-paced Jewish study on the Internet.

By Lex Rofeberg






You might also like

How to Learn Hebrew

Hebrew

Converting to Judaism: How to Get Started

Conversion

My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help

Donate

Where is Judaism? That may seem like a pretty unimportant question when compared to hot-
button topics like “Who Is a Jew” or “Why Be Jewish.”

Today, however, the locations of Judaism are rapidly shifting, bringing the question of “where”
to the forefront. In a sense, we are watching a 21st-century “immigration” of Judaism to the
Internet that may be no less significant than the vast immigration of Eastern European Jews to
America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Below we help you navigate your way through it by featuring a variety of ways (in addition to
using My Jewish Learning, of course) that you can experience Jewish learning on your own,
from the comfort of your home, in our digital world. All the resources below are, like My Jewish
Learning, nondenominational and open to all. Please note that all prices are subject to change.

Find out how to learn Hebrew here — and find a Judaism 101 class here. Get help finding a
Jewish study partner here and check out our list of resources for studying the weekly Torah
portion.

Did we miss something? Email us at community@myjewishlearning.org with suggestions.

Traditional Jewish Texts

Bimbam

Formerly G-dcast, Bimbam “creates and distributes fun, accessible, and smart digital media
about Judaism for kids, adults, and families who want to spend quality time online.” In addition
to offering short, animated videos for each

portion (you also can find these on My Jewish Learning’s Torah portion pages), it also has
videos on other Jewish texts, holiday observance, apps teaching about everything from challah-
baking to biblical sacrifices and a kids’ series called Shaboom about Jewish values. Bimbam’s
offerings are beginner-friendly, but also can deepen understanding for those with more
background knowledge. Many of its videos are embedded on My Jewish Learning, but the full
collection, as well as supplementary materials, can be found on its site. (Videos are free, some
supplementary materials are for a fee.)

Mechon Hadar
A New York-based educational institution that seeks to empower Jews to create and sustain
vibrant, practicing, egalitarian communities of Torah learning, prayer and service. For those
unable to make it to Hadar’s classes in Manhattan, it provides an extensive body of resources in
the “Torah Online” section of its website. In addition to weekly commentaries on the Torah
portion, the site offers hundreds of downloadable or streamable audio recordings and videos
organized in nine core themes ranging from “Gender and Sexuality” to “Kashrut and Food.” Its
occasional podcast, entitled Responsa Radio and accessible on the Hadar site or in the iTunes
store, explores how to apply Jewish legal principles to contemporary life. Most materials are
geared toward intermediate and advanced learners. (Free)

Sefaria

Use this site to find texts in Hebrew or English, such as sections from the Bible or Talmud, or
search its vast and growing digital library of source sheets, organized by topic, which synthesize
materials related to a particular theme (such as punishment, angels or responsibility) or Jewish
figure (such as Joseph, Ruth or Maimonides). Many texts, like the entire Bible and Mishnah, are
available in Hebrew, English, or with both languages side by side, while other texts are available
only in their original Hebrew or Aramaic. Another particularly strong feature of the site is its
cross-referencing tool, which provides links to texts when one provides commentary on another
or when two texts touch on similar themes. (Free)

Big Jewish Ideas

ELI Talks

10-15 minute video presentations by a diverse range of speakers address issues like religious
engagement, Jewish literacy and Jewish identity. With over 100 videos currently available on its
website, ELI Talks is for anyone interested in how Jewish concepts apply to our ever-changing
world. Some talks are designed for an audience with some previous Jewish knowledge, while
others are geared towards beginners. (Free)

JDOV

Like ELI Talks, but based in the United Kingdom, JDOV offers short video presentations from
over a hundred different speakers, all touching on Jewish subject matter and applying it to
today’s world. (Free)

Judaism Unbound

Its eponymous podcast invites leading thinkers and doers to discuss the evolving nature of 21st
century Judaism. Its website also offers initiatives such as

Unbound, High Holidays Unbound and

Unbound, which offer new ways of engaging with the yearly cycle of Jewish holidays. Its
materials ask big questions about the past, present and future of Judaism, but are designed to be
accessible to those with minimal knowledge of Jewish history or texts. (Free, and in interest of
full disclosure, the author of this piece co-hosts Judaism Unbound’s podcast and coordinates
many of its other digital offerings).

Jewish Podcasts
A vast and growing array of podcasts engage with Jewish text, culture and tradition — and are
perfect to listen to while you commute to work or do the dishes or laundry. We encourage you to
explore the iTunes store to discover more, but we’ve included a sampling below, along with the
average length of each episode. All of the podcasts below are available free of charge.

Can We Talk?

This show, hosted by the Jewish Women’s Archive, highlights little-known stories of Jewish
women, both past and present. (Monthly, 12-20-minute episodes)

JPMedia: Talking in Shul

A roundtable discussion looking at spiritual and cultural issues, ranging from synagogue
fundraising to sufganiyot — Israeli jelly doughnuts. (Monthly, 60-90 minutes)

TREYF

A self-described “debatably Jewish podcast,” it examines current events, both in the Jewish
community and beyond, through the lens of progressive activism. (Bi-weekly, 30-50 minutes)

Other Resources
Darshan Yeshiva

A pluralistic, online school, designed to provide access to anyone looking for an introduction to
Judaism, its “Judaism for Beginners” program addresses Jewish texts, holidays, prayers, history,
lifecycle events and Hebrew in dozens of videos, podcasts, handouts and other resources.
Materials are available for a one-time payment of $45; more expansive program in
Comprehensive Judaic Studies available for either $25 or $65 a month over the course of 10
months, depending on the program of study chosen. Shorter modules are also available for $3-$5
apiece.

Pardes: Elmad

Pardes, a nondenominational Jewish learning community in Jerusalem, offers a library of online

resources on its website Elmad (meaning “I will learn” in Hebrew). Designed for learners
familiar with Hebrew terminology and Jewish text study, it provides dozens of audio recordings
of varying lengths, on subject matter ranging from the weekly Torah portion to Jewish education
to Judaism and modernity (among many other topics). Though primarily audio, Elmad offers an
assortment of videos and written materials as well. (Free)

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-learn-more-about-judaism-online/