We are excited to announce the return of the internationally acclaimed Torah l'Am course this spring/summer in Golders Green. This is a learning experience designed to equip students with the skills, confidence, and professionalism to research and deliver their own D’var Torah. Whether you’re a seasoned Torah student or a complete beginner, Torah l'Am is here to help you engage deeply with the Torah and find your voice in the process. With individual support, tutoring, and feedback, you'll gain the tools to approach Torah learning with clarity and passion.
Course Aims
At its core, Torah l'Am aims to give you the confidence to:
“learn and talk your own Torah.”
The course is built on the philosophy that Torah is for all Jews and that all Jews should be able to access Torah and find their own voice in Torah.
The course aims to help you develop the skills to open the Torah to any passage, understand its significance, and develop your own connection to it.
Course Content Overview
Throughout the course, you'll receive step-by-step guidance for navigating the Torah and sharing its wisdom. Torah l'Am is suitable for all levels of Jewish knowledge and backgrounds, ensuring that everyone can participate and grow.
You will explore:
Seven Lenses for Reading Torah: Learn various approaches to engaging with Torah texts, examining their structure, key themes, characters, and commandments.
Four Torah Talk Steps: You’ll master how to analyse, comment, personalise, and present a D’var Torah that resonates with you and your audience.
Course Details
Dates: Tuesdays, 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM April 29th, May 13th, May 20th, June 10th, June 24th, July 8th
Location: Golders Green
Cost: £60 per student (Thank you to JOFA UK for sponsoring this course)
Commitment: Attendance at all six sessions is required
Course teacher: Rabbi Miriam Lorie
Rabbi Miriam Lorie is the UK’s first Orthodox female Rabbi with a community. She has been leading Kehillat Nashira, Borehamwood’s Partnership Minyan since 2022. With a background in Jewish philosophy, inter-faith dialogue, and community leadership, she brings a unique and engaging approach to teaching. Rabbi Miriam’s work makes Torah learning accessible, relevant, and joyful for all, drawing on her studies at Yeshivat Maharat, Midreshet Harova, Pardes Beit Midrash and Cambridge University. Her teachings aim to inspire students to connect deeply with Jewish texts and traditions.
How It Works
The course is divided between the in-person sessions, and four assignments, with detailed feedback and support.
The course is structured around seven lenses for reading Torah and four Torah Talk steps.
Seven lenses - the course introduces seven ways to begin looking at any part of the Torah:
Framework: misgeret (in which students learn about petuchot and stumot as the Torah’s internal, original way of arranging itself)
Space-time: makom zman (in which students learnt the internal time frame of the Torah)
Personalities: ishim (in which students meet the top 10 male and female protagonists, and top 10 antagonists of the Torah)
Commandments: mitzvot (in which students approach the Torah through Ramabam’s Sefer haMitzvot)
God: Adonai (in which students consider the many roles of God in the Torah)
Tabernacle & Offerings: Mishkan v’korbanot (in which the least accessible part of the Torah is made accessible)
Covenant: Brit (in which students understand Torah as a series of covenants)
Four Torah Talk Steps:
Analysis: Learn to break down Torah texts for deeper understanding.
Commentary: Add interpretation and insights to the text.
Personalizing: Relate the Torah to your personal life and experiences.
Presentation: Develop and present a D’var Torah.
At the end of the course, students deliver their own dvar Torah, developed over the course through assignments which gradually build towards this final presentation.
A Taste of the Coursebook
The Torah l'Am coursebook is an invaluable resource that students rave about. Packed with charts, tables, and colourful images, it makes Torah learning accessible and engaging. Plus, its hard-copy format is Shabbat-friendly, allowing students to study offline.
Here’s some of the feedback we’ve received:
“I cannot understand why we were not taught like this at Cheder. Everything suddenly fitted into place.”
“I feel much more confident and armed with the tools to speak Torah to an audience.”
Student Requirements and Expectations
To get the most out of the Torah l'Am course, students should ideally have:
Hebrew reading skills
A basic vocabulary of Hebrew words
Basic knowledge of Torah books and stories
A confident Jewish identity (although a small number of non-Jewish students have completed the course!)
It’s important to have:
Time! This is an intensive course and students must be prepared to put the hours in on their own, not just in the webinars.
Motivation and graft. The course is accessible but requires perseverance. Some of the assignments, in particular, can be challenging.
Enthusiasm and drive to develop their Torah learning and teaching.
A positive, supportive outlook. A large part of the Torah talk section is having the safe space to try out a new skill. This requires a caring and encouraging group.
Past Feedback
We’ve received glowing feedback from previous participants, who have found the course both inspiring and transformative. Here’s a sample of what they’ve said:
“The course was very well put together. It accommodated all levels of practice and allowed every participant to join in the conversation and contribute."
“Learning in this course and together with the other students gave me a lot of inspiration and also the courage to deepen my learning and take on teaching. I, for the first time, felt that my perspective on the Torah and our Jewish heritage is relevant and welcome.”
“It was a fantastic experience and expertly lead. The course provided me with the confidence that the Torah is accessible and can be used legitimately within a work environment.”
“Very helpful. A mine of superb information, well presented.”
Reserve Your Place
If you're ready to deepen your Torah learning and develop the skills to share your insights with others, Torah l'Am is the perfect course for you. Spaces are limited, so please complete the registration form to secure your place.
We look forward to learning with you!
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