The Institute offers four areas of study covering a unique variety of courses that draw you deeper into subjects that engaged you in Me'ah. Examine the emergence of Christianity, explore the mysticism of the Zohar, investigate the historical impact of Hasidism or analyze the boundaries of heresy and the influence of philosophers like Spinoza. You can also choose to improve your knowledge of Hebrew, from basic to advanced reading comprehension skills.

Jewish Thought and Philosophy
Analyze classical writings on Jewish thought—including Jewish philosophy, Kabbalah and Hasidic texts—and determine how these texts and traditions inform your own Jewish journey. You will study the medieval writings of Maimonides, classical Kabbalah, the early modern thought of the Hasidic masters, modern Jewish thinkers—all with a common question in mind: How have modern readers responded to and reinterpreted these texts and practices, seeking to renew themselves as Jews?

Jewish Cultural History
Join the emerging study of Jewish cultures of the past. You may enter into the world of Second Temple Judaism, imagine Jewish life under Islam or examine the impact of the Holocaust.

Biblical and Rabbinic Text Interpretation
Study sources as well as classical and contemporary commentaries, such as the Mishnah or the Talmud, focusing in depth on texts, topics and themes only touched on briefly in Me'ah. Engage in a conversation across the ages, integrating the many voices of the text, interpretations by its earlier readers and your own insights.

Hebrew Language
Develop the skills to read and comprehend classical Jewish texts—such as the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the siddur (prayer book) and classic rabbinic and Hasidic texts—in the original Hebrew. You will learn the basic Hebrew grammar and vocabulary that are needed to read these texts in our Understanding Hebrew curriculum and have the opportunity to study these texts directly—without the mediation of a translation—in our more advanced courses.