College & Adult Education

The Bay Area offers multiple opportunities for adults to study Judaism. In addition to the resources listed below, most JCCs and congregations offer adult education classes. See Religious Life category and JCC listings under Agencies & Organizations for more information. In addition, resources abound for educators and professional development.

East Bay

Jewish Music Resource Center (JMRC)

Providing musical material to teachers, musicians, choir directors and rituals leaders. Sheet music, choral and instrumental arrangements, soundtrack recording, and productions of events and workshops.

http://www.achibenshalom.com

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Kevah Groups at HaMaqom | The Place

Part of Lehrhaus Judaica; empowers individuals and organizations to create Jewish learning communities. Groups engage Jewish identity and build community through study of classical Jewish texts. 

http://www.lehrhaus.org

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HaMaqom | The Place (formerly Lehrhaus Judaica)

Builds community through classes around the Bay Area and online. Hebrew, Yiddish, history, Bible, Talmud, Zohar, philosophy, Kevah Groups, and arts. Introduction to Judaism series. National/international study tours.

http://www.lehrhaus.org

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Under One Tent

Presented by the Contra Costa JCC. Inclusive, vibrant partnership of synagogues, Jewish organizations and schools serving Contra Costa and Tri-Valley.

https://underonetent.org/

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Bay Area

The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute

Offers programs in four Bay Area locations: San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Mill Valley. Details are on the website.

http://www.myjli.com/index.html?task=locations

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Shalom Hartman Institute of North America

Leading center of Jewish thought and education, serving Israel and North America. Mission: strengthen Jewish peoplehood, identity and pluralism and ensure that Judaism is a compelling force for good in the 21st century.

http://www.shalomhartman.org

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Peninsula

JSN – Jewish Study Network

Resource pool of Jewish educators for the Bay Area. Jewish concepts explored in an engaging and stimulating environment. Ongoing classes and short courses are available.

http://www.jsn.info

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San Francisco

Jewish LearningWorks | Professional Learning

Providing educators with knowledge, skills and tools to serve their students through in-person seminars, webinars, professional networks and customized consultation and coaching.

http://www.JewishLearningWorks.org

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Jewish LearningWorks | Family Learning

Empowers parents with knowledge and confidence needed to raise children in joyful Jewish homes, providing guidance, support and resources that meet families where they are.

http://www.jewishlearningworks.org/empoweringparents

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JVS (Jewish Vocational Service)

Career coaching at JVS is a one-on-one, fee-based offering that helps job seekers clarify goals, plan a transition or resolve issues hindering growth.

http://www.jvs.org

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JVS Skills Training

JVS's programs connect job seekers to training opportunities in growing industries, such as technology, healthcare, financial services and more.

http://www.jvs.org

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JVS Job Search Workshops

At no cost to job seekers, JVS offers workshops and events in San Francisco including job search skills classes, employer networking events and more.

http://www.jvs.org

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Ulpan San Francisco

2018 is the 21th consecutive summer for three-week intensive Hebrew language program. For more information, visit the website.

http://www.usfca.edu/summer-ulpan

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Central Valley

Chico Hillel

On-campus social club for Jewish students who want to meet other Jews and do Jewish things together: education, celebrations, Israel, tikkun olam, conferences.

http://www.chicohillel.org

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CSU Chico Modern Jewish and Israel Studies

Offers an undergraduate minor focusing on classical Judaism and Jewish history with instruction in modern Hebrew.

http://www.csuchico.edu/mjis

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Hillel at Davis and Sacramento

Offers a wide variety of social, educational, spiritual, tzedek and Israel programs to undergraduate, graduate and professional students enrolled in Davis and Sacramento-area schools.

http://www.hillelhouse.org

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U.C. Davis Jewish Studies Program

Offers a minor in Jewish studies. Provides a diverse set of courses focused on Jewish histories, cultures, communities and literatures well as Middle Eastern politics and courses in Judaism.

http://jewishstudies.ucdavis.edu

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Santa Cruz / Monterey

Santa Cruz Hillel Foundation

Cultural, religious, educational, social, political and Israel programs, including weekly Shabbat services and dinners for U.C. Santa Cruz and other college students in the Santa Cruz area.

http://www.santacruzhillel.org

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U.C. Santa Cruz Jewish Studies Program

Introduces students to the study of Jewish culture. Helps students pursue graduate work in the field, attend rabbinical schools or work in the Jewish community.

http://jewishstudies.ucsc.edu

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East Bay


Graduate Theological Union

Grants advanced degrees in Jewish studies and offers courses and academic programs for the Graduate Theological Union and Bay Area communities. Auditors are welcome.

http://www.gtu.edu/cjs

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UC Berkeley Hillel

Cultural, spiritual, intellectual, religious, educational and social programs for Jewish students at U.C. Berkeley, Berkeley City College and Mills College.

http://www.berkeleyhillel.org

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Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies

Cross-campus institute draws 23 faculty members from social sciences, humanities, professional schools; engages faculty and students; sponsors courses, lectures, conferences; hosts visiting Israeli professors.

http://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/berkeley-institute-for-jewish-law-and-israel-studies

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Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at Berkeley

Supports Jewish life on campus: Shabbat, holiday services and meals; weekly classes, special events and Shabbatons; kosher meals, Mezuzah Bank and Jewish library.

http://www.JewishUCB.com

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UC Berkeley Jewish Studies Program

Offers a Designated Emphasis for graduate students, a minor for undergraduates, and lectures and programs for the broader community.

http://jewishstudies.berkeley.edu

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Bay Area

Affordable Colleges Online

College resources & scholarships for Jewish students in easy-to-use website. Excellent tool for college students seeking a robust Jewish community and other resources for Jewish practice.

https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/jewish-student-guide/

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North Bay

Hillel of Sonoma County

Encourages Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College students to explore Judaism and Jewish identity through creative social, religious, educational and community service activities.

http://www.sonomahillel.org

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Sonoma State University Jewish Studies Program

Interdisciplinary, minor-granting curriculum that allows students to take courses in Jewish history, culture and society, and Hebrew.

http://www.sonoma.edu/jewishstudies

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Touro University California

Educates professionals in medicine, pharmacy, public health, physician assistants, nursing and education. Provides a glatt kosher kitchen and Jewish programming. Shabbat services held on campus with onsite rabbinical presence.

http://www.tu.edu

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Peninsula

Rohr Chabad House at Stanford

Dedicated to sharing the warmth, wisdom and depth of Judaism with the Stanford community through classes, lectures, social action projects, Shabbat dinners and holiday celebrations. All are welcome.

http://www.chabadstanford.org

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Hillel at Stanford

Offers educational, religious, social, social action, cultural and Israel-related programs to Stanford students and local young adults. Some programs open to the community-at-large.

http://stanford.hillel.org

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Hillel of Silicon Valley

Strengthening connections to Judaism/Israel at San Jose State, Santa Clara U. and De Anza, West Valley and Foothill colleges through social, cultural, educational and tzedek (social action) programs.

http://www.hillelsv.org

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San Jose State University Jewish Studies Program

Interdisciplinary minor program facilitates exploring the multicultural diversity and complexity of Jewish and Israeli culture; includes history, literature, religion, politics, Hebrew and art.

http://www.sjsu.edu/jwss

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Stanford University Taube Center for Jewish Studies

Interdisciplinary program studying all facets of Jewish culture. Courses across the full expanse of Jewish history, literature, language, religion, politics, education and science.

http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu

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San Francisco

Chabad Student Center of S. Francisco

Place where Jewish students can feel comfortable expressing themselves while finding meaning and inspiration in Jewish traditions.

http://www.jewishsunset.com

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Political Leadership Development Program

Involvement in pro-Israel activism on campus; opportunities for students to become liaisons between AIPAC and their campus communities. Internships in San Francisco and Washington, D.C

http://www.aipac.org

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San Francisco Hillel

Diverse and innovative Jewish student programming. Fun, inclusive and informal. Shabbat dinners, cultural and social events, leading international speakers, community outreach. All students welcome.

http://www.sfhillel.org

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San Francisco State University Department of Jewish Studies

B.A. in modern Jewish studies and a minor in Jewish studies. Also adult learning through extension. Professors: Fred Astren, Marc Dollinger, Kitty Millet, Eran Kaplan, and Rachel Gross.

http://jewish.sfsu.edu

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University of San Francisco, Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice

The country's first and only academic program formally integrating Jewish studies and social justice.

http://usfca.edu/artsci/jssj

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The region offers many programs in Jewish studies as well as a Hebrew immersion program, a medical-health college under Jewish auspices and other college classes.

Central Valley

CSU Chico Modern Jewish and Israel Studies

Offers an undergraduate minor focusing on classical Judaism and Jewish history with instruction in modern Hebrew.

http://www.csuchico.edu/mjis

Learn More

U.C. Davis Jewish Studies Program

Offers a minor in Jewish studies. Provides a diverse set of courses focused on Jewish histories, cultures, communities and literatures well as Middle Eastern politics and courses in Judaism.

http://jewishstudies.ucdavis.edu

Learn More

Santa Cruz / Monterey

U.C. Santa Cruz Jewish Studies Program

Introduces students to the study of Jewish culture. Helps students pursue graduate work in the field, attend rabbinical schools or work in the Jewish community.

http://jewishstudies.ucsc.edu

Learn More

East Bay


Graduate Theological Union

Grants advanced degrees in Jewish studies and offers courses and academic programs for the Graduate Theological Union and Bay Area communities. Auditors are welcome.

http://www.gtu.edu/cjs

Learn More

Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies

Cross-campus institute draws 23 faculty members from social sciences, humanities, professional schools; engages faculty and students; sponsors courses, lectures, conferences; hosts visiting Israeli professors.

http://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/berkeley-institute-for-jewish-law-and-israel-studies

Learn More

UC Berkeley Jewish Studies Program

Offers a Designated Emphasis for graduate students, a minor for undergraduates, and lectures and programs for the broader community.

http://jewishstudies.berkeley.edu

Learn More

North Bay

Sonoma State University Jewish Studies Program

Interdisciplinary, minor-granting curriculum that allows students to take courses in Jewish history, culture and society, and Hebrew.

http://www.sonoma.edu/jewishstudies

Learn More

Touro University California

Educates professionals in medicine, pharmacy, public health, physician assistants, nursing and education. Provides a glatt kosher kitchen and Jewish programming. Shabbat services held on campus with onsite rabbinical presence.

http://www.tu.edu

Learn More

Peninsula

San Jose State University Jewish Studies Program

Interdisciplinary minor program facilitates exploring the multicultural diversity and complexity of Jewish and Israeli culture; includes history, literature, religion, politics, Hebrew and art.

http://www.sjsu.edu/jwss

Learn More

Stanford University Taube Center for Jewish Studies

Interdisciplinary program studying all facets of Jewish culture. Courses across the full expanse of Jewish history, literature, language, religion, politics, education and science.

http://jewishstudies.stanford.edu

Learn More

San Francisco

San Francisco State University Department of Jewish Studies

B.A. in modern Jewish studies and a minor in Jewish studies. Also adult learning through extension. Professors: Fred Astren, Marc Dollinger, Kitty Millet, Eran Kaplan, and Rachel Gross.

http://jewish.sfsu.edu

Learn More

University of San Francisco, Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice

The country's first and only academic program formally integrating Jewish studies and social justice.

http://usfca.edu/artsci/jssj

Learn More

San Francisco

AIPAC Political Leadership Development Program

Involvement in pro-Israel activism on campus; opportunities for students to become liaisons between AIPAC and their campus communities. Internships in San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

http://www.aipac.org

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Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

Anti-bias and diversity training to create and sustain inclusive schools and communities. Programs and resources for Holocaust education and for confronting anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias.

http://sanfrancisco.adl.org

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Kohn Summer Intern Program

Offers an 8-week paid summer internship to Jewish undergraduates from the Bay Area, providing work experience at Jewish nonprofits and job search support.

http://www.jvs.org

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Most synagogues and Jewish schools maintain reference and circulating libraries of varying sizes. For lending policies, contact individual institutions.

East Bay

Graduate Theological Union Library

Books, periodicals and electronic resources in biblical studies, Jewish religion, Christian and world religions, history, art, literature, ethics and philosophy. Resources in Hebrew, English and other languages.

http://www.gtu.edu/library

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Bay Area

Our Judaic Library

Jewish library for children, teenagers and adults: biographies, inspiration, Holocaust, history, Israel, Jewish law, Judaism for beginners, novels, relationships, self-help, women's topics, and more.

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Peninsula

Pushcart at the Oshman Family JCC

Wide-ranging circulating collection of books, CDs and DVDs can be accessed at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. Free and open to the public.

http://www.jewishlearningworks.org/jccpa-pushcart

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San Francisco

Genealogy Library – Sutro Library

Features local U.S. history, the notable rare book and manuscript collections formed by Adolph Sutro, and the largest genealogy collection west of Salt Lake City.

http://www.library.ca.gov/sutro/genealogy/

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Jewish Community Library 


Free to the public, Northern California's largest collection of Jewish media features hundreds of DVDs and videotapes covering a vast spectrum of the Jewish experience.

http://www.jewishcommunitylibrary.org

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Jewish Milestones Ritual Resource Lending Library

Collection includes Torah scrolls, ritual objects and prayer books available to extended community for ceremonial and educational purposes and may be borrowed free of charge.

http://www.jccsf.org/ritualresource

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JFCS Holocaust Center

Tauber Holocaust Library houses 12,000 volumes, an archive of 2,000 recorded oral histories, and many rare artifacts, memorabilia and images documenting the Holocaust. Free and open to the public by appointment.

http://www.jfcsholocaustcenter.org

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Pushcart at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco

The Jewish Community Library’s JCCSF branch offers a wide selection of books, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks available to learners of all ages, all at no charge.

http://www.jewishlearningworks.org/jccsf-pushcart

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