Cohort-Based Learning Opportunities with Jewish Life at Duke
Jewish Life at Duke offers a number of non-credit, cohort-based learning seminars during the fall and spring semesters. These cohorts are open to all students, regardless of background.
These various conversational, cohort-based seminars are for those looking to deepen their understanding and connection to Judaism on their own terms. No prior Jewish knowledge is required! When you participate you’ll have the opportunity to ask the big questions – Who am I? What communities am I part of? What is worth committing myself to, and why?
We make no claims about the “right” way to practice or not practice Judaism. Our job is to help you explore the tradition and find your own place, on your terms, in some of Judaism’s great conversations. We want to nourish you (meals are a part of the experience) and value your time (after completion of JLF programs you are eligible to receive a stipend).
Each semester, there are different cohorts, taught by various members of the Jewish Life at Duke staff. Students who participate come from diverse backgrounds and have a broad range of experience with Jewish learning. These cohorts are about meeting you where you are, bringing all of our knowledge, curiosity, and learning together.
2026-2027 Cohort and Educational Opportunities
The following cohort-based learning seminars will take place in the during the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters:
Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF): Life's Big Questions
Facilitated by: Rabbi Elana Friedman and Springboard Fellow Dani Faulhaber
Open to: first-year through senior undergrads
This 8-week experiential, conversational seminar takes place one day per week in the evenings. Dates and times vary by semester.
Location: Sessions will be held at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life.
Fall 2026 Dates: Mondays from 5:30-7:00pm on September 28, October 5, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30.
This class is all about the BIG questions in life. We may not have the answers, but we'll create space to ask the big questions of our lives through a Jewish lens. You'll meet weekly with a cohort of fellow students, share a (free, kosher) meal and meaningful conversations, and are eligible for a $200 stipend on the conclusion of the program.
(New!) Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF): Jewish Foundations
Facilitated by: Rabbi Elana Friedman
Open to: first-year through senior undergrads
New Offering! This 8-week experiential, conversational seminar takes place one day per week in the afternoons over lunch, provided by the Freeman Center Cafe. Dates and times vary by semester.
Location: Sessions will be held on West Campus in the Brodhead Center or Bryan Center.
Fall 2026 Dates: Wednesdays at lunchtime from 12:00-1:00pm on September 30, October 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, December 2.
In this class, we will wrestle with introductory questions around the core components of Jewish life. What is Judaism, and who are the Jews? How have Jewish texts, beliefs, and practices evolved over time – and what does this have to do with me today? What does it mean to belong to the Jewish people across differences in belief and practice? How might Jewish values, rituals, and rhythms shape the way I live my life? What is my relationship to Jewish community, peoplehood, and Israel? What am I carrying forward in my own Jewish journey?
This class is open to all Duke students but especially those who are looking to reflect on their own identity, questions, and build a deeper connection to and understanding of Jewish life. You will leave with a stronger sense of how Judaism shows up in the world – and how it might show up in your own life – as well as a clearer understanding of what it means to be part of the Jewish people today.
You'll meet weekly with a cohort of fellow students, share a (free, kosher) meal and meaningful conversations, and are eligible for a $200 stipend on the conclusion of the program.
Jewish Learning Fellowship (JLF): Kol Yisrael: Home & Homeland
Facilitated by: Heyman Winter Israel Fellow Nadav
Open to: first-year through senior undergrads
This 6-week program takes place one day per week in the evenings. Dates and times vary by semester.
Location: Sessions will be held at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life.
Fall 2026 Dates: Mondays from 5:30-7:00pm on October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 30.
Kol Yisrael is a 6-week cohort learning experience to explore questions animating the contemporary Israeli discourse. This seminar is for students looking to deepen their understanding of Israel, its people, complexities, and our personal relationship to and with it.
This Kol Yisrael class is called "Home & Homeland." This series explores the Jewish diaspora's relationship to Israel, looking to classical, rabbinic, and modern Jewish wisdom to engage a contemporary understanding of peoplehood, responsibility, home, and homeland. This class invites students to begin to explore and uncover some major questions about their relationship to Israel as an aspect of a thoughtful Jewish adulthood.
You'll meet weekly with a cohort of fellow students, share a (free, kosher) meal and meaningful conversations, and are eligible for a $175 stipend on the conclusion of the program.
THE SUPPER CLUB: Jewish Life at Duke x Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture
Facilitated by: the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture and Jewish Life at Duke
Open to: first-year through senior undergrads
Location: Mary Lou Williams Center & Freeman Center for Jewish Life
Spring 2026 Dates: This 5-session program takes place approximately once per month on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm on the following dates:
- Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at the Mary Lou Williams Center
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at the Freeman Center
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at the Freeman Center
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at the Mary Lou Williams Center
- Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at Location TBA
The Supper Club, hosted by the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture and Jewish Life at Duke, is a space where participants engage in critical cultural conversations. Limited to 20 participants, undergraduate students will have the opportunity to share a meal with one another, engage in real conversations, and develop relationships.
Our goal: for the Supper Club to be a model of how a community can have conversations with curiosity and care.
Our theme: For Fall, 2026, we will be exploring Our Histories at Duke. We will consider Black and Jewish stories at Duke through an institutional and personal lens.
Each session will feature dinner, an interactive activity, and thoughtful conversation. No prior preparation or homework is required.
This program is supported by the Ronni Weksler Bermont Endowment Fund.
(New!) Shabbat 101 Drop-In Series (Student-Facilitated)
Facilitated by: Daniella Zalik T'29, Jewish Student Union Religious Chair
Open to: undergraduates and graduate/professional students
This program takes place one day per week in the evenings. Students can drop-in to any number of dates they wish or join the full session.
Location: Sessions will be held at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life.
Fall 2026 Dates: Thursdays from 8:00-9:00pm on August 27, September 3, 10, 17, and 24.
Curious about Shabbat but not sure where to begin? Join Daniella Zalik (T'29, Jewish Student Union Religious Chair) for Shabbat 101, a student-facilitated five-week series exploring the meaning, prayers, and traditions of Shabbat in an accessible and welcoming environment. Each session will build practical skills like when to stand or how to recite some basic prayers.
No prior knowledge or experience is needed; come to one session or join us for the full series in the Freeman Center for Jewish Life at 8pm-9pm on Thursdays, August 27, September 3, 10, 17, and 24. All are encouraged to attend; no registration or application required to participate.
Questions? Contact Rabbi Elana elana.friedman@duke.edu.
SENIOR SEMINAR
Facilitated by: Rabbi Elana Friedman
Open to: Class of 2027 graduating senior undergrads
This 5-week program takes place one day per week in the evenings. Dates and times vary by year.
Location: Sessions will be held at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life. Final closing session will take place at Rabbi Elana's house.
Spring 2027 Dates: To Be Announced
Your time has come! Jewish Life at Duke's Senior Seminar is an opportunity for graduating seniors to reflect on the past four years and contemplate the years ahead. We are looking back, looking inward, and looking forward -- all through a Jewish lens and with our peers. Free, kosher dinner is included. The fifth and final session will be a closing session/siyum at Rabbi Elana's house.
JLD's Senior Seminar is open to all Duke graduating seniors and does not require previous Jewish background or knowledge, but does require a sincere interest in conversations around your Jewish journey, identity, and your future.
Apply Today
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the deadlines listed above. Once your online application is received, you will be contacted by email to schedule a brief, in-person interview with a member of the Jewish Life at Duke staff, after which you will be notified if your application to join the cohort has been accepted.
Applicants should be thirsty to learn but require no previous Jewish education background. Jewish Life at Duke is an egalitarian, non-denominational organization. We do not believe there is “one right way to be Jewish.” These cohorts are open to all students, regardless of identity or background.
Use the buttons above to apply for a cohort-based learning seminar today!
Past Participant Testimonials
- "JLF has made me feel like I belong on Duke's campus. As an incoming freshman, I initially applied to JLF just to be a part of something, of some group, that I could call myself a part of. However, I am leaving JLF with so much more... I would take a JLF course all 8 of my semesters at Duke if I could for the people, the conversations, and family (and the incredible Freeman food!)"
- "Everyone came to class each week ready to learn (and teach)! I'll be taking away from JLF a deep appreciation for Jewish thought and a newfound comfort that my ancestors faced and handled the same situations we experience today. JLF was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it to a friend!"
"JLF: Israel completely changed the way that I thought about not only my relationship with Israel but also my relationship with Judaism. I came in expecting to just learn factual knowledge about Israel, the conflict, etc., which I did, but my biggest takeaways came from reflecting both on what Israel means to me and how we as Jews are all actually connected. JLF is one of the few times in my life where I've been able to learn purely for the sake of knowledge, and especially in discussing a topic as controversial and sometimes as uncomfortable as Israel, I'm especially grateful for a setting where I feel secure in asking questions and voicing my opinions."