“My study group is a chance to learn about Judaism each week in a vibrant and interactive way.”
– Joanne, Saramento
“A place where everyone’s view is appreciated and respected, where deep learning is possible, where we wrestle with Torah.”
– Sabrina, Washington, DC
Our weekly study groups are the heart of our learning community, a space where we can study in depth and build community over time.
Like all classes at Laasok, we create an inclusive, egalitarian environment, and look at our sacred texts from a progressive Jewish perspective.
We are offering seven study groups in 2025-26:
- Talmud Study: Berachot (Mondays 1pm ET)
- Parsha Thru Midrash (Tuesdays 9am ET)
- Exodus Deep Dive (Tuesdays 1:15pm ET)
- Torah From the Beginning (Tuesdays 3pm ET)
- Pirke Avot (Wednesdays Noon ET)
- Queering the Weekly Parsha (Thursdays 1:15pm ET)
- Digging Deeper into Torah (Fridays Noon ET)
All study groups begin (or begin again) the week of October 20, 2025.
Study groups meet for one hour per week, through most of the year.
Each study group is led by one of our wonderful faculty members:
Rabbi Rachael Bregman
Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, Ph.D.
Rabbi Micah Streiffer
Register by clicking on the button below, or read on for information about each group.
Talmud Study: Berachot
Mondays at 1pm ET / 10am PT
With Rabbi Micah Streiffer
The Talmud is, in many ways, Judaism’s essential text – a voluminous set of discussions, debates, laws, stories, and teachings that was compiled over 5 centuries and shaped Judaism as we know it.
In this study group we are exploring tractate Berachot, which is about blessings and prayer –specifically, the chapter about the Shema. However, the Rabbis’ discussion tends to go on tangents, so we finding ourselves talking about a range of issues surrounding community, ritual, God, and spirituality.
Note that this is an ongoing study group working its way through the tractate. New learners are welcome to join at any time, and we will catch you up!
Parsha Thru Midrash
Tuesdays 9am ET / 6am PT
With Rabbi Micah Streiffer
Let’s study the weekly Torah portion via the Midrash – the Rabbinic “stories about the stories” in the Torah. These wild, creative, sometimes-infuriating texts are ripe for discussion and exploration by modern Jews!
Each week we explore some midrashic passages relating to the parasha (weekly Torah portion). We will engage in discussion with the texts and with each other about their meaning, and talk about how they relate to our own Jewish lives as well.
Exodus Deep Dive
Tuesdays at 1:15 pm ET / 10:15 am PT
With Rabbi Micah Streiffer
The book of Exodus tells many of Judaism’s foundational stories: the enslavement of Israel, the birth of Moses, the exodus from Egypt, the revelation at Sinai, and more.
“Exodus Deep Dive” is a chapter-by-chapter exploration of Sefer Sh’mot (the book of Exodus). By reading its chapters closely, and comparing with midrash and commentary, we will gain a renewed glimpse into the masterful set of stories that sit at the heart of our tradition. We’ll ask ourselves where they come from, why they once mattered, and what they teach us about being Jewish today.
Torah From the Beginning
Tuesdays at 3pm ET / Noon PT
With Rabbi Micah Streiffer
“Torah From the Beginning” is for learners beginning a journey of Jewish learning. Maybe you are considering conversion; maybe you forgot everything you learned in Hebrew school, or never had the opportunity to study the Torah. This class is for you!
Each week we study the Torah portion, focusing on the “Who, What, When, Where, and Why.” You’ll come away knowing the basics of the Torah’s story, events, and figures. We’ll also look at commentaries (both modern and ancient), and have discussions about what these timeless texts and stories mean for our own Jewish lives.
Pirke Avot: Ethics of our Ancestors
Wednesdays at Noon ET / 9am PT
With Rabbi Rachael Bregman
Pirkei Avot (“Chapters of the Sages”) is the Talmud’s classic collection of rabbinic ethical teachings—rich with timeless insights about life, learning, community, ritual, spirituality, and more.
In this study group, we’ll study Pirke Avot together, exploring its ancient teachings and their historical context, and discussing how these ancient words can speak to our modern lives.
No prior text study experience is required—just a willingness to learn and share in conversation.
Queering the Weekly Parsha
Thursdays at 1:15 pm ET /10:15 am PT
With Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi, Ph.D.
Queering the Weekly Parsha offers learners of all levels and identities the opportunity to look at the weekly Torah portion through a queer lens
We will explore how the text affirms and challenges folks with queer identities, how our ancestors viewed sexuality, and where we might find inspiration for inclusion. Our sources will include Torah, Jewish literature from various time periods, and excerpts from Torah Qu(e)eries.
Trained in academic queer theory, Rabbi Nikki leads with pastoral awareness. This class is open to all, and will center LGBTQ+ perspectives. All you need is an open mind and an open heart.
Co-Sponsored by Keshet and A Wider Bridge
Digging Deeper Into Torah
Fridays at Noon ET / 9am PT
With Rabbi Micah Streiffer
“Digging Deeper” is for learners who have been through the Torah a bit and want to dig deeper. Each week we choose a section of the Torah portion and ask questions like:
- What is the historical context of the text?
- What did it mean then? What does it mean now?
- What philosophical/ethical/religious issues does it raise?
- How have previous Jewish thinkers responded? Do we agree or disagree?
To help us in our interactive discussion, we also look at modern and ancient commentaries, and ask how the Torah informs our own Judaism.
FAQs
- When can I start? Do I need to wait until a certain time of year? You can join any time you want!
- What if I can’t make it every week? That’s OK – we’re not taking attendance. And we record the sessions so that you can see what you missed.
- But I don’t know Hebrew! No problem. All of our study happens in English, though we talk about the meanings of certain Hebrew words to help our discussion.
- What’s the cost? The program is structured as a monthly subscription, with a cost of $45 per month. You can cancel at any time. As well, the cost goes down if you register for more than one group. (See the registration form for details).
- What if the cost is inaccessible to me? We are committed to financial accessibility. If the $45 per month cost makes the class inaccessible, please email us and we will arrange for you to join for a different amount.
- Do I need to make a full-year commitment? Not at all – you can withdraw at any time. But we hope you’ll stay forever!
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