Or Chadash Term Dates

Below you'll find a list of dates and topics for this year's Or Chadash course. If you're on the course, click here to access the relevant source sheets. If you would like to learn more about the classes, click here to get in touch. In 5785, most classes will take place in person at Kent House, with the option to Zoom in. Some classes with guest speakers will take place entirely on Zoom. Please see below for a list of classes, teachers, and locations.

Chanukah Term 5785 (2024)

Wednesday 11th September - Jewish Symbols
Wednesday 18th September -  Rosh Hashana: the Birthday of the World
Friday 20th September - Friday Night Chavurah (joint meal) 
Wednesday 25th September - Yom Kippur: Teshuvah, Tefillah, Tzedakah 

Shabbat 28th October - Intensive Leading into Selichot (required for Or Chadash) 
Wednesday 2nd-3rd October - Erev Rosh Hashanah and Rosh Hashanah (required for Bet Din) 
Wednesday 9th October - Sukkot and Simchat Torah with the Jewish Calendar
Shabbat 11th-12th October - Erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur (required for Bet Din)
Wednesday 16th-17th October - Erev Sukkot and Sukkot (required for Bet Din) 
Wednesday 23rd-24th November - Erev Simchat Torah and Simchat Torah  
Wednesday 6th November - Celebrating Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat and home practice 

Wednesday 13th November - Jewish Social Justice and Mitzvah Day
Wednesday 20th November - Sefer Breishit: Patriarchs and Matriarchs
Wednesday 27th November - Celebrating Shabbat: the Music of Services; Visit to the Memorial Scrolls Trust  
Date TBD - Czech Scrolls service (optional)
Wednesday 4th December- Synagogue, Prayer, Siddur: How to Pray at synagogue, how to pray at home
Wednesday 11th December - Chanukah
Wednesday 25th December - 2nd January - Chanukah (required for Bet Din)

Pesach Term 5785 (2025)

Wednesday 15th January - Judaism and Mental Health  
Friday 17th January - OC Chavurah (required for Or Chadash)
Wednesday 22nd January - Shoah - The Holocaust
Monday 27th January - Holocaust Memorial Day (optional - check website for more info) 
Wednesday 29th January - Jewish History: An Overview 
Wednesday 5th February - Kashrut: An Ethical Eating Practice
Wednesday 12th February -  Tu B'shevat Seder
Wednesday 26th February - Jews from around the world: Diversity & Inclusion within Judaism 
Wednesday 5th March - Women and Judaism
Wednesday 12th March - Purim: Revealing the Hiddenness
Thursday 13th-14th March - Purim (required for Bet Din)

Wednesday 19th March - LGBT+ Jewish History
Wednesday 26th March - Pesach: Story, History and Meaning
Wednesday 5th April - Shabbat Afternoon Intensive (required for Or Chadash)
Wednesday 12th-19th March - Pesach (required for Bet Din)

Shavuot Term 5785 (2025)
Wednesday 23rd April - The Tanach
Wednesday 23rd April -  Yom Hashoah (optional - check website for more info)
Tuesday 29th-30th April - Yom Hazikaron / Yom Ha’atzmaut (optional - check website for more info)
Wednesday 30th April - The History of Ancient and Modern Israel  
Wednesday 7th May - Oral Torah: An introduction to the Talmud and Jewish Law Beginning of Life Ceremonies: Brit and Naming
Wednesday 14th May - Shavuot: Receiving the Torah

Wednesday 21st May - The Conversion Process
Sunday 1st-2nd June - Shavuot (required for Bet Din)
Wednesday 4th June - Beginning of Life Ceremonies: Brit and Naming
Wednesday 11th June - Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Wednesday 18th June - Jewish Weddings
Wednesday 25th June - Death, Mourning and Afterlife

Wednesday 9th July - End of year Chavurah (joint meal) - Ask the Rabbi and Jewish Educator