College & Adult Education

Adult Education & Community Resources

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.
Marin

Osher Marin JCC Adult Programs
Stimulating programs for mind, body and soul, from opera to art museums and trips. Educational and entertaining classes, workshops, activities, local excursions and trips to enrich life.
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East Bay

JCC East Bay Adult Classes
Berkeley Afterschool offers a variety of activities including sports, science, art, reading, and many choose-your-own-offerings. Our TK-5 program incorporates Jewish values, experiences, cultural observances, and weekly Shabbat celebrations. Edah offers deeper Jewish and Hebrew education.
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New Lehrhaus
Bay Area hub for adult Jewish learning that brings students and teachers together in dialogue to explore Jewish sources, traditions and arts, sustaining and enriching the vibrant spirit of Jewish life and civilization.
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Bay Area
Peninsula

JSN – Jewish Study Network
Resource pool of Jewish educators serving the Bay Area. Jewish concepts explored in an engaging, stimulating environment. Ongoing classes and short courses available.
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San Francisco

Hebrew San Francisco: Ulpan
Three-week intensive Hebrew language program at University of San Francisco. Emphasizes conversation, supported by music, film and guest speakers. Offers beginning, intermediate and advanced classes.
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South Bay

APJCC Los Gatos – Adult Education
Participants find meaning, ask questions, learn and join community in exploration of Jewish life, thought and experience. Classes include the study of Jewish texts, traditions and philosophy.
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College Education & Campus Life

Central Valley

Chico Hillel
Builds Jewish community through an on-campus social club with holiday celebrations, recreational activities, wellness and leadership opportunities.
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Hillel at Davis and Sacramento
Students from UC Davis and Sacramento State explore Jewish life, celebrate vibrant holidays, find community, savor tasty kosher meals and embark on trips together. Join for Shabbat every Friday at 6 p.m.
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UC Davis Jewish Studies Program
Offers a minor in Jewish studies. Provides a diverse set of courses focused on Jewish histories, cultures, communities and literatures, as well as Middle Eastern politics and Judaism.
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Santa Cruz / Monterey

Santa Cruz Hillel Foundation
Home away from home for Jewish students at UC Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College and CSU Monterey Bay. Offers Jewish educational, cultural and social programs for all students.
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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 welcome.
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UC Berkeley Hillel
Cultural, spiritual, intellectual, religious, educational and social programs for Jewish students at UC Berkeley and Berkeley City College.
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Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies
Cross-campus institute engaging faculty and students through courses, lectures, conferences and experiential learning programs on campus and in Israel. Draws faculty from social sciences, humanities and professional schools and hosts visiting Israeli professors.
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Davis

Chabad at UC Davis
Programs include weekly social events on and off campus, Shabbat services and holiday celebrations. Provides kosher food and educational resources for students looking to explore and expand their Jewish identities
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Bay Area
North Bay

Hillel of Sonoma County
Encourages Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College students to explore Judaism and Jewish identity through social, religious, educational and community service activities.
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Touro University California
Educates professionals in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, public health, nursing, physician assistant studies, health sciences, education and sonography. Emphasizes social justice, intellectual pursuit and service to humanity. Offers a glatt kosher kitchen and Jewish programming.
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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.
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Hillel at Stanford
Educational, religious, social, social action, cultural and Israel-related programs for Stanford students and local young adults. Some programs are open to the broader community.
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Hillel of Silicon Valley
Strengthens connections to Judaism and Israel at San Jose State and Santa Clara universities, as well as De Anza, West Valley and Foothill colleges, through social, cultural, educational and tzedek (social action) programs.
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San Francisco

San Francisco Hillel
* Building Jewish community * Developing our future Jewish leaders ° Supporting their mental health, food, basic needs.
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South Bay

Chabad SJSU
Jewish students from diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate Jewish life, ask questions and build community. Offers programs, weekly social events, Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, kosher food and educational resources.
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Academic Programs

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

UC Davis Jewish Studies Program
Offers a minor in Jewish studies. Provides a diverse set of courses focused on Jewish histories, cultures, communities and literatures, as well as Middle Eastern politics and Judaism.
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Santa Cruz / Monterey
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 welcome.
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Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies
Cross-campus institute engaging faculty and students through courses, lectures, conferences and experiential learning programs on campus and in Israel. Draws faculty from social sciences, humanities and professional schools and hosts visiting Israeli professors.
Learn More
North Bay
Peninsula
San Francisco

Leadership Development

Bay Area

J Leaders
Transformative leadership program designed to empower Jewish young adults with the skills, knowledge and network necessary to create positive change in their organizations, the Jewish community and the world.
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San Francisco

Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Provides anti-bias and diversity training to create and sustain inclusive schools and communities. Offers programs and resources for Holocaust education and for confronting antisemitism and anti-Israel bias.
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Libraries

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, Judaism, Christianity and other religions, as well as history, art, literature, ethics and philosophy. Materials available in Hebrew, English and other languages.
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San Francisco

Jewish Community Library
Home to Northern California’s largest publicly circulating collection of Jewish books, films and music. Offers reference assistance, services to book clubs, cultural programming (in person and online) and a Palo Alto JCC satellite branch.
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JIY Celebrations
JCCSF's lending and resource program provides the community with free access to objects like Torah scrolls and chuppahs needed to bring communal Jewish celebrations and ceremonies to life.
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Socializing & Networking

Bay Area

Chai Cycle
A Jewish group that combines cycling with text study, creating meaning and Jewish connection through riding together. Spokes (clubs) in Contra Costa/East Bay, Peninsula/South Bay, Sacramento and Reno.
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J Leaders
Transformative leadership program designed to empower Jewish young adults with the skills, knowledge and network necessary to create positive change in their organizations, the Jewish community and the world.
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Mitzvah Milers Cycling Team
Predominantly Jewish Bay Area cycling team that participates in the Waves to Wine MS Bike Ride each September, raising funds to fight multiple sclerosis.
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Mem Global
Supports vibrant Jewish community, learning and leadership for young adults in their 20s and early 30s, helping them create and engage in meaningful Jewish experiences for themselves and their peers.
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Peninsula

JHTC – Jewish High Tech Community
Strives to improve quality of life for Jewish professionals working in and around technology in Silicon Valley and the South Bay. Fosters education, connection and knowledge sharing through events, mentorship and networking.
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San Francisco

The Omer Project
Brings people together with the message: We all count. Gathering on the numbered avenues of the Sunset and Richmond districts, participants count the Omer corresponding to the appropriate day.
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YeaShOre Community
Sponsors bonfires spring to fall. Havdalah followed by singing and shmoozing around the fire. Winter activities include indoor sea chanteys. The Omer Project involves gathering on San Francisco's numbered avenues to count the Omer.
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Making Connections

Bay Area

J Leaders
Transformative leadership program designed to empower Jewish young adults with the skills, knowledge and network necessary to create positive change in their organizations, the Jewish community and the world.
Learn More

Mitzvah Milers Cycling Team
Predominantly Jewish Bay Area cycling team that participates in the Waves to Wine MS Bike Ride each September, raising funds to fight multiple sclerosis.
Learn More

Mem Global
Supports vibrant Jewish community, learning and leadership for young adults in their 20s and early 30s, helping them create and engage in meaningful Jewish experiences for themselves and their peers.
Learn More
Peninsula

JHTC – Jewish High Tech Community
Strives to improve quality of life for Jewish professionals working in and around technology in Silicon Valley and the South Bay. Fosters education, connection and knowledge sharing through events, mentorship and networking.
Learn More
San Francisco

The Omer Project
Brings people together with the message: We all count. Gathering on the numbered avenues of the Sunset and Richmond districts, participants count the Omer corresponding to the appropriate day.
Learn More

YeaShOre Community
Sponsors bonfires spring to fall. Havdalah followed by singing and shmoozing around the fire. Winter activities include indoor sea chanteys. The Omer Project involves gathering on San Francisco's numbered avenues to count the Omer.
Learn More