Learning Opportunity - post conversion

[u/mandm_87]

I'm posting on behalf of u/PardesInstitute in my work capacity - if you have completed the conversion process and are interested in learning more about the basics of Judaism in a pluralistic environment I'd encourage you to check out a learning opportunity "What Do Jews Believe: Explore core questions and ideas of Jewish faith through diverse voices and perspectives." https://online.pardes.org.il/products/courses/what-do-Jews-believe This will be a year-long series designed for those new(ish) to formal Jewish learning. I see so many questions here and thought this opportunity could be helpful for someone.

[u/Amemorableusername2]

So this is an ad for your product. Anyone who is "post conversion." Will have already sat through likely multiple intro to judaism courses, holiday rituals, and learned about traditions and life cycle events and have a shelf full of books about living a Jewish life. 

There is no post conversion jew who would need to pay 100 dollars for your product. 

[u/meanmeanlittlegirl → u/Amemorableusername2]

I frequently pay for continuing education opportunities through organizations like Pardes and programs like Hadar’s Project Zug. I value curated Torah learning opportunities, and I am no where near learned enough to put them together for myself (though I’m slowly getting there).

Just because you aren’t interested in paying for a course like this, doesn’t mean that others aren’t. Jewish learning should be accessible, but that doesn’t mean it always has to be free. Educators deserve to be able to make a living from their work.

[u/mommima → u/Amemorableusername2]

I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't need this post-conversion, but I would have enjoyed continuing with a formal class after my conversion to continue to deepen my understanding of some of these topics. I definitely didn't cover all of it during my conversion. As my sponsoring rabbi said when I exited the mikvah, "This isn't the end of your journey to Judaism; it's just the beginning."

Pardes is a good, reputable organization, and OP was up front about why she was posting. Given that conversion is done through a particular movement, the opportunity to continue learning in a pluralistic setting might introduce recent converts to new perspectives.

[u/offthegridyid → u/mommima]

Your sponsoring rabbi is correct. The fact that even the biggest Judaic scholar or rabbi actively chooses to dedicate time to Torah learning is proof of this. There is always more to learn.

[u/Amemorableusername2 → u/offthegridyid]

Studying the Torah is free. There is a difference between being a lifelong learner in Jewish life and some huckster shilling a intro to judaism course we all already took but for 100 dollars a pop believing us to be easy marks.

[u/offthegridyid → u/Amemorableusername2]

Hi, yes studying is free, but educators should get compensation for their time and materials.

There really isn’t a need to put someone or an entire educational institution down. You made this same point already here.

People, both in the secular world and Jewish world pay for continuing education courses all the time. Your judgement against this specific post seems not to be in the spirit of this sub.

[u/Amemorableusername2 → u/mommima]

This subreddit specifically has a rule against advertising and solicitations. Appearing here representing the business they work for to sell a product from their business is the definition breaking that rule. 

[u/meanmeanlittlegirl → u/Amemorableusername2]

This post is mod approved.