About Context
91快播’s Context Online is a two-year鈥痠ntellectual journey that fosters a sense of being at home in Jewish culture, religion, text, and civilization. Participants meet weekly on Zoom, studying with major scholars and forming a supportive learning community. Now, wherever you are, you can access this unique learning opportunity.
- Encounter鈥痶he sweep of Jewish history and the core texts of the ancient, medieval, and modern periods.
- Engage in鈥痗lose reading of texts and stimulating discussion guided by鈥痮utstanding 91快播 scholars, who use the best in educational technology tools and strategies.
- Explore the development of Jewish belief and practice, and encounter the richness and diversity of Jewish civilization with learners from across the globe.
Context Online 2026
We are offering two sections of Context, either on Monday or Wednesday evenings online at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Monday series will begin in October 2026, and the Wednesday series starts in September 2026.
Fall Semester:鈥疶he Bible and Ancient Israel
Spring Semester:鈥疶he World of Rabbinic Judaism
WHO IT鈥橲 FOR鈥�
Share the journey with other adult learners from around the globe who are committed to serious Jewish study.鈥� Context classes evolve as vibrant learning communities that support and sustain each participant鈥檚 dedication to understanding the Jewish past and exploring its meaning for our lives today.鈥�
INSTRUCTORS
Context is taught by 91快播 faculty and other distinguished scholars associated with 91快播 who are committed to sharing their love of Jewish learning beyond the academy.
Praise for Context
- 鈥淐ontext is a bountiful feast for the mind, taught by professors who enlighten and inspire.鈥濃��
- 鈥淐ontext added layers of intellectual and emotional meaning to my Jewish life and gave me the opportunity to study with the most knowledgeable and inspiring teachers that contemporary Jewish scholarship can offer.鈥�
- 鈥淯sing the Zoom format for Context has produced a class with wide geographical, intellectual, and experiential insights.鈥�
CONTACT US鈥�
Email us at 鈥�context@jtsa.edu鈥痶o learn more.
FEES AND REGISTRATION
Tuition for Context is $1725 per year (two semesters). 鈥疉 $325 deposit is due upon registration.
Payment plans are available. One student in each Context cohort supports the 91快播 staff as an administrative and technology liaison and receives a 50 percent鈥痶uition discount in appreciation for these services.
THE CONTEXT CURRICULUM鈥�
Year 1鈥擣all Semester: The Bible and Ancient Israel鈥�
The Hebrew Bible, or鈥疶anakh, is the central text of ancient Israel and the foundational text for Judaism. This semester balances an overview of the Bible with focused discussion of core texts, such as the Creation narrative, the Exodus, the Revelation at Sinai, and the prophetic books. You will examine various biblical genres, structures, and concepts, as well as the historical and鈥痳eligious experience of ancient Israel. Biblical texts will be analyzed through different lenses: literary, historical-comparative, and rabbinic commentary. This in-depth exposure to both familiar and less familiar texts and to different modes of reading will challenge you鈥攁nd may lead you to reconsider some long-held views.鈥�
Year 1鈥擲pring Semester: The World of Rabbinic Judaism鈥�
The rabbinic period鈥攆rom the Second Temple to the completion of the Babylonian Talmud鈥攕aw the emergence of new Jewish leaders whose approach continues to define our Jewish lives today. The Rabbis developed a new vision of Judaism grounded in learning, and a legal system that has shaped the contours of Jewish community, culture, and behavior for the past two millennia. This semester you will explore the Jewish encounter with empires of the ancient world and become familiar with the key collections of rabbinic texts and how to read them. Secondary readings will convey how the Rabbis grappled with urgent theological, ethical, and communal issues. When examined in conjunction with biblical texts, these sources will reveal how central beliefs and practices evolved radically over time.鈥�
Year 2鈥擣all Semester: Jews in the Medieval World鈥�
Jewish life during the鈥疢iddle鈥疉ges (roughly the 7th century through the 17th century) built upon earlier rabbinic foundations to generate the construction of a Jewish civilization with distinctive approaches to communal life, social norms, beliefs, values, and religious practice. During this semester, you will encounter core texts that highlight key dynamics of the Middle Ages, including Jewish political and鈥痗ultural relations with Muslim and Christian host societies; the creation of new modes of community in the Diaspora; and the vast expansion of Jewish culture in the realms of philosophy, mysticism, liturgy, and textual commentary.鈥�
Year 2鈥擲pring Semester: Jews in the Post-Enlightenment World鈥�
Beginning with the 18th century Age of Enlightenment, modernity posed a significant challenge to Jewish culture, community, and identity. It generated new social and economic opportunities, but also threatened traditional Jewish values and society. As in previous eras, modern Jews engaged with sacred鈥痶exts鈥攕uggesting that, however great鈥痶he rupture and discontinuity, their鈥痯assion for reading and interpretation鈥痗ontinued to be a source for Jewish鈥痗reativity and thought. During this鈥痵emester, you will delve into core鈥痯hilosophical, political, and literary texts鈥痶hat reflect an ongoing engagement with鈥痶he Jewish past, as well as profound鈥痠nteraction with and involvement in the鈥痓roader surrounding culture.鈥�
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS鈥�
How often do classes meet?
Context鈥痗onsists of four 10-session semesters over two years, for a total of 40 sessions (80 hours of instruction).鈥疌lasses meet weekly. Each year ends with鈥痑n informal session for reflection and synthesis.
How long is each class session?
Each session consists of two hours of study and a 15-minute break. Classes begin at 7:00 p.m. and end at 9:15 p.m. ET.
How much reading is required?
The amount of reading varies depending on the class and instructor. On average, 30 to 60 pages of reading, including both primary and secondary sources, are assigned each week. Instructors will typically review each week鈥檚 assignment in advance and prioritize readings that are most central for the next class.
What if I can鈥檛 do all the reading?
You are encouraged to complete all assignments to maximize your learning experience; however, instructors understand that adult learners are busy individuals who do not always have time to complete the reading.
What if I have to miss some classes?
Regular attendance is important for your own intellectual progress and for building a learning community. If you do need to miss a class,鈥痑 video recording of the session鈥痺ill be available鈥痮nline.
What technology platforms will Context use?
Context Online will take place on Zoom. Students will also have access to a course website that will host readings and session recordings. You will be responsible for bringing assigned readings with you to class,鈥痚ither in print or鈥痮n an electronic reader.鈥���
Do I need to have previous Jewish studies knowledge to take Context?
Context鈥痯articipants have diverse backgrounds, from those with minimal formal Jewish education to those familiar with Jewish texts and traditions. The range of experiences contributes to a vibrant class dynamic.
Is knowledge of Hebrew required?
All Context鈥痗lasses are conducted in English, and texts are studied in English translation. Instructors do not assume that students know Hebrew.
Are there any written requirements?
There are no tests, papers, or grades.
Is there an additional cost for materials?
Some instructors may require students to purchase a few books per semester. The number of required books varies depending on the class and instructor. The total cost of required books will not exceed $100 per year.
Can I join the program once it has already begun?
Because each Context鈥痵emester builds on the material covered in previous semesters, you may enroll only at the beginning of the two-year program.
What if I need to withdraw?鈥�
There is a $100 non-refundable administration fee. The full refund schedule is posted on the registration page.
Who are the instructors?
Context鈥痠s taught by members of 91快播鈥檚 renowned Jewish Studies faculty and by other outstanding local scholar-teachers. They bring a level of scholarship typically encountered only鈥痠n university settings.
Is Context鈥痑 degree-granting program?
No. Upon completion of the two-year program, certificates are conferred鈥痠n a graduation ceremony.
Courses of Study
Context Two-Year Program
91快播鈥檚 online Context program is an intellectual journey covering the sweep of Jewish history and civilization and the major texts of the Biblical, Rabbinic, Medieval, and Modern periods. The program fosters a sense of being at home in Jewish culture, religion, and civilization.
Learn More
Biblical Hebrew
Enhance your understanding of biblical grammar鈥痺ith our interactive online courses offered at several skill levels. Register a la carte or complete a four-course Certificate.
Learn More
Librarianship
91快播 and the Association of Jewish Libraries are pleased to announce a new certification program for Judaic studies librarians in Research, Archives, and Special Collections libraries.
Learn More
Summer Text Study Intensive
Through our three summer sessions, 91快播 offers exceptional summer learning opportunities to students at a wide range of levels, for bothcredit and non-credit study.
Learn More