8 Days of Light and Learning

Thank you to all who joined us at our first 8 Days of Light and Learning events! We had a lot of fun celebrating with all of you and look forward to inviting you to more inclusive, community-building events in the future.

Full Recap
  • Night 1 with Rabbi Darren Kleinberg
  • Night 2 with Ilan Vitemberg
  • Night 3 with Maya Katz-Ali
  • Night 4 with Rabbi Ruth Adar
  • NIght 5 with Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan
  • Nigth 6, a special Lehrhaus Legacy Lecture event with Fred Rosenbaum
  • Night 7 with Deena Aranoff, Ph.D.
  • Night 8 with Lisa Douglass

Light & Learn Schedule

  • Night 1 – Thursday, December 10th
    Led by Rabbi Darren Kleinberg
    Lighting a candle to celebrate sharing Jewish wisdom
    HaMaqom | The Place continues to create inclusive communities through Jewish learning and practice during ‘shelter in place’. Learn more
  • Night 2 – Friday, December 11th
    Led by Ilan Vitemberg
    Lighting a candle to celebrate the 600 scholarships we have been able to provide since March 10th.
    In the last 8 months, we have awarded $43,730 in scholarships, making Jewish learning opportunities accessible to all who are interested in participating, regardless of financial abilities.
  • Night 3 – Saturday, December 12th
    Led by Maya Katz-Ali
    Lighting a candle for our amazing educators.
    All based in the Bay Area, our educators are renowned scholars and practitioners in their fields and provide unique learning opportunities for our community. Meet our educators
  • Night 4 – Sunday, December 13th
    Led by Rabbi Ruth Adar
    Lighting a candle to celebrate creating inclusive communities.
    Since 1974, we have been introducing people from all backgrounds to the wonders of Jewish wisdom.
  • Night 5 – Monday, December 14th
    Led by Rabbi Peretz Wolf-Prusan
    Lighting a candle to celebrate Talmud and Zohar Circles. 
    HaMaqom’s Circles program offers learners the opportunity to delve deeper into either Talmud or Zohar. Participants meet monthly and learn in an intimate communal setting, guided by inspiring educators. Learn more about text circles
  • Night 6 – Tuesday, December 15th
    Lehrhaus Legacy Lecture * Special Event! 7 PM – 8 PM
    Led by Tamar Zaken, Fred Rosenbaum & Rabbi Darren Kleinberg
    Lighting a candle to celebrate our Lehrhaus legacy.
    HaMaqom | The Place was originally established in 1974 as Berkeley Lehrhaus Judaica by Seymour Fromer, Rabbi Stephen Robbins, and Fred Rosenbaum, who soon became the Founding Executive Director. It was named Lehrhaus to honor the memory the Freie Judische Lehrhaus institute for Jewish learning that was established in 1920 in Frankfurt, Germany, by Franz Rosenzweig. The original Lehrhaus was shuttered by the Nazis in 1938 and, 36 years later, Lehrhaus rose from the ashes and opened its doors again in Berkeley, CA. This year, we honor the Lehrhaus Legacy by launching the first annual Lehrhaus Legacy Lecture. Learn more and RSVP
  • Night 7 – Wednesday, December 16th
    Led by Deena Aranoff, Ph.D.
    Lighting a candle to celebrate HaMaqom Kevah groups.
    Kevah brings small groups together with a skilled educator on an ongoing basis to create community and deepen connections through Jewish learning and practice. Learn more about Kevah groups
  • Night 8 – Thursday, December 17th
    Led by Lisa Douglass
    Lighting a candle to celebrate your support for HaMaqom | The Place.
    Now more than ever, we need your help to ensure we are able to continue to serve our community during this pandemic and continue to offer a rich variety of online courses and programs led by exceptional Bay Area Jewish educators. Please consider making a donation. Visit our giving page to learn more

During our Eight Days of Light and Learning
every gift up to $5,500 will receive a dollar-for-dollar match

This match is made possible by the generosity of HaMaqom Board Members:
Lisa Douglass (President), Jo-Ann Jacobson, and Debbie Toizer

Our Community Needs Us. And We Need You.
Support HaMaqom | The Place Now

Every gift counts, no matter the amount, and is greatly appreciated.