Conversion Curriculum

Curriculum

B’not Ruth is a full-time program combining lectures, tutoring, experiential learning, rabbinic counseling, community service and individual study. Classes meet four hours per day for five mornings per week. Additional time is set aside for private meetings with the rabbi for counseling and to monitor progress. Many of the classes are joint with the students in the general program of Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin.

Besides the formal program, conversion candidates are expected to take advantage of the experiential afternoon learning with students of Midreshet B’erot Bat Ayin and to assist their adoptive family or participate in community service projects. Students who have special talents that they wish to pursue are encouraged to do so, such as performing in a play, practicing a musical instrument or gardening. Students may use non-scheduled time for work-study projects and for working off campus to earn extra money while attending B’not Ruth.
Our curriculum emphasizes observance of halacha and service to G-d.

See a sample schedule  

The areas of learning emphasized at B’not Ruth are:
•    Emuna – Jewish Belief
•    Halacha – Jewish Practice
•    Tanach – The Bible: Torah, Prophets, Writings
•    Tefilah – Jewish Prayer
•    Chagim – Jewish Holidays and the Cycle of the Year
•    Ivrit – Hebrew Language

All classes combine frontal learning, class discussion. Some include homework and quizzes. Many also add an interactive component based on guided individual study projects that students share in order to learn from one another.

Emuna – Jewish Belief
The emphasis on developing the student’s emunah (Jewish belief) flows through every aspect of the curriculum of B’not Ruth, as well as in the community of Bat Ayin.
Students will study the The Way of G-d (Derech Hashem) by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, exploring together the basic principles of Jewish belief regarding the existence of G-d, G-d’s purpose in creation, Free Choice, The World to Come, angels, astrology, dreams and other concepts in Judaism.

Halacha – Jewish Practice
Students will be prepared to begin living their lives as halacha-observant Jews. Three classes per week over the course of the year will give students a basis in the laws of Shabbat, kashrut, blessings, Eretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel), the woman in Halacha, the holidays and the Jewish life-cycle.
In addition, through learning alongside Jewish students and interacting with adopted families, the campus and community become a living classroom of Jewish practice.

Tanach – The Bible: Torah, Prophets, Writings
The Torah is the direct revelation from G-d to the Jewish people guiding and defining our existence as a people. Through an overview of the books of Tanach, students will have the opportunity to explore the sources of the fundamental beliefs in Judaism. Special emphasis is given to Parashat Lech Lecha, Megillat Esther, Megillat Ruth, and The Book of Shemuel.

Tefilah – Jewish Prayer
Students will learn the meaning and structure of the prayers from the siddur (prayer book) in Hebrew. Our class in Tefilah also explores the concept of prayer in general and the siddur in particular. Students will come to understand the fundamental elements of prayer as part of a relationship with G-d on an individual level, as well as the development and meaning of the formal prescribed prayers as a reflection of this relationship on a communal level.

Chagim – Jewish Holidays and the Cycle of the Year
Several classes will elucidate the meanings, halachot and customs of the Jewish holidays and life-cycle events. Special seminars will give students the unique opportunity to join with Jewish students to learn about and celebrate together. Community weddings, births and other life-cycle events will allow students to participate and experience first-hand, Judaism in action in family and communal life.

Ivrit – Hebrew Language
Hebrew language skills are attained through daily practice in small group study of Biblical sources, enabling the student to read and understand the Tanach (Bible) in the original Hebrew, as well as in the study of the prayers. In addition, we offer Modern Hebrew Ulpan during the afternoons. Hebrew skills can also be developed at the student’s initiative in the community.