In 1983, Professor E. D. Hirsch created an educational firestorm by introducing the idea of “cultural literacy.” People within a culture share certain knowledge and common assumptions that allow them to be understood by one another, to share references, to understand the context of various conversations, jokes, or ideas.
Judaism has a “cultural literacy” as well, and those who do not share these critical bits of knowledge will often find themselves making false assumptions about Jewish values or feeling confused and left out in Jewish social settings or when reading Jewish books.
No single course can possibly plug all the holes in one’s knowledge base, and no single fact is critical to Jewish participation. But as more of the gaps in knowledge are filled in, it is easier for Jews to feel knowledgeable and comfortable with their roots and to decide which questions they still need to ask.
In a lighthearted style that allows for both easy conversation and in-depth discussion, this course debunks common misconceptions and introduces little known but important facts about Judaism that seek to intrigue, surprise, and inform Jews about the richness and scope of their heritage.