Intro to Judaism - Online
Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm, Unit 1 begins October 13, 2026
Learn about Judaism – its religion, practices, history, and culture – from cantors and rabbis from across Pittsburgh. In this 24 week course, we'll cover the Bible, Jewish Holidays, Israel, Keeping Kosher, Love and Marriage, Jewish History, Commandments, and God. Instructors represent rabbis from every major movement of Judaism: Conservative, Reconstructionist, Jewish Renewal, Orthodox and Reform. Each class is two hours long.
This course is split into three units, Fall, Winter, and Spring, taught on a continuous basis. A student that begins by taking Unit 2 in the Winter will continue to take Unit 3 and then Unit 1. Course fee includes all three units and a book, Michael Strassfeld's A Book of Life.
ITJ follows a handcrafted curriculum built by an expert team of cantors and rabbis from Western PA, each of whom is an adept scholar in their particular subject. This course is often a requirement for conversion to Judaism: consult your rabbi/cantor for further guidance.
Each unit takes place at a different Jewish community organization located in Pittsburgh, PA. Unit 1 will be at Congregation Beth Shalom. Unit 2 will be at Beit Kulanu (formerly Rodef Shalom. Unit 3 will be at Shoresh.
For individuals the course is $480; for couples it is $600. If it might be hard for a participant to pay $480 or $600 all at once, we offer the option of paying in three installments. Your first installment would be $160 for an individual or $200 for a couple.
Financial aid is available. For more information about aid or to answer any other questions, email Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman, ITJ Director, at [email protected].
Registration for Unit 1 is now open!
Registration for Unit 1 closes on October 12, 2026.