Torat Hayim Mini Courses

Taking place each Monday afternoon at various locations throughout Jerusalem and in association with important institutions, scholars and artists, these mini courses combine hands-on experiences with thoughtful intellectual and spiritual exploration. Torat Hayim courses this year include “Museum Tanakh,” “Jewish Filmmaking and Cinematography,” “Kinesthetic Kashrut,” “Jewish Art in Theory and Practice,” “Judaism and Abrahamic Religions,” “Safrut Seminar: The Scribal Arts,” “Mental Health and Halakhah” and more.

The Amudim Seminar

In an effort to introduce students to the incomparable world of Jewish intellectual life in Israel, a central feature of our curriculum is the Amudim Seminar, a series of mini-courses taught by leading scholars and artists. Past speakers included journalist Sivan Rahav Meir, Rab. Racheli Frankel, R. Yaakov Nagen, R. Yosef Zvi Rimon, Ethiopian Chief Rabbi R. Reuven Hadane, Karaite Chief Hahkham R. Moshe Piroz, and more.

Art for thinkers

Courses in art theory focus on the representation of biblical figures and events exploring continuity and transformation within historical and spatial social contexts. Fine arts courses involve the study of proportions, anatomy, and the values of classical aesthetic and beauty and ultimately visual representation in drawing, painting and sculpture. Depending upon interest, art courses, havrutot and haburot at Amudim which have combined philosophy/theology and fine art have included “Visual Kabbalah,” “The Jewish Biblical Portrait,” “Visual Midrash,” “Visualizing Hassidut,” “Meaning and Form of the Alef-Bet,” “All the Rav’s Men” and “Definitions and Contours of ‘Jewish Art.’” Internships and extracurricular activities at Amudim also provide opportunity for students to explore and deepen the art of representation as well as their technical artistic skills.

amud ha-shahar

After conducting original research at the National Library of Israel, in our own Beit Midrash and, of course, utilizing a vast array of online resources, students publish their work in our annual journal of Jewish thought and ideas.