Testimonials

"I really enjoyed being part of the Miller Intro to Judaism class. I was also lucky to find such a great community. I came to the class looking for a deeper understanding of Judaism, after having read about it for around a year. I think there are limits to how much a book can offer—Judaism needs to be lived!  I was about to start a similar program elsewhere, but a YouTube video led me to want to explore Tifereth Israel. As I came into shul, I felt the warmth of the community, and after exploring two other communities, this felt like the one for me.

Rabbi Leberman teaches from a place of knowledge and heart. Once you get to know him more, you realize he genuinely has a passion for imparting knowledge, helping students grow, understand, and correct misinformation. Some subjects were completely new to me, while others were ones I had encountered in my reading. However, hearing them from his perspective opened the doors to many more ways of seeing and understanding them. At times when subjects felt intense and heavy, Rabbi provided the time to ask and reflect.

Rabbi allows the students to learn, ask questions, reflect, and let us determine what Judaism meant to us. This is important because not everyone took the class in hopes of converting; some came to learn, others to return to practice. I never felt pressured to “convert,” since that is not the purpose of the class, or of Judaism itself.

Since I was in fact on the path to conversion, the class was not the end. Rabbi continued to guide me, recommending books and resources and making sure I had what I needed as I moved forward. Honestly, there were moments when I felt overwhelmed. This was a big, life-changing moment, and Rabbi helped make sure that everything that needed to be taken care of was addressed. His presence throughout the process was reassuring and made me feel supported as I entered this new stage of my life.

Overall, I am grateful not only for what I learned, but for the way I was welcomed into the community. Looking back, I don't think I could have made this decision on my own. The uncertainty of the unknown and how life-changing it felt at times was at times overwhelming. What made the difference was having the class and Rabbi Leberman there. The tools and the support I received gave me the confidence to move forward, even through my own fears. In the end, that made me feel more grounded in my choice. I am grateful for the Miller Intro to Judaism class and for all the ways it enriched my life. - Gabe

 

"I just have to say I really enjoyed the Miller class! It was incredibly beneficial as I’m on my path to conversion, and I loved the chance to connect with others who are either exploring the same journey or eager to learn about Jewish traditions and history. Everyone was welcoming and thoughtful, making each week enjoyable. We were lucky to have an exceptional Rabbi who shared the culture, history, and prayers with such passion. My husband and I looked forward to each class and truly enjoyed the entire experience. Thank you TIS and Rabbi Hanan! ” - Sarah

 

"I can't say enough positive things about the Miller class at Tifereth Israel. Rabbi Hanan Leberman has an unmatched passion for Judaism and a life lived Jewishly, and that showed throughout the entire course. We covered quite a lot of material. It's not easy to condense thousands of years of history into a weekly time slot over the months-long class! I ended the course with a multi-faceted understanding of what it means to be Jewish, culturally, religiously, communally, personally - and I carry them with me through my conversion process." – TVB

 

As a person who was born and raised Jewish, learning as an adult offered me a very different experience. I gained a greater understanding and appreciation of Judaism as a religion and a culture. My knowledge of Israel was greatly enhanced, as well. Having an opportunity to learn with a variety of people from various backgrounds, and learning for a myriad of reasons, offered all of us the chance to connect and grow on so many levels. Rabbi Hanan was truly passionate and inspirational bringing all the teachings to life. If you have no knowledge, the class is terrific. If you think you have great knowledge, there’s always more to learn. - YR

Wherever you come from, wherever you are going, your Jewish journey begins or renews here.