To celebrate the culmination of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s audacious 45-year quest to translate the Talmud and unlock its wisdom for modern Jews, today the Aleph Society launched a new online campaign to spark a love for Jewish learning. The effort is part of the Global Day of Jewish Learning project supported by more than two dozen national and international groups representing every movement within Judaism.
The website, TheGlobalDay.com, will engage everyone from the most secular “cultural” Jews to the most religiously observant Jews in a provocative global dialogue about Judaism’s take on “big questions” like good and evil, heaven and hell, sex and relationships, and more. In addition to uniting Jews over the coming months to wrestle with important moral questions online, communities around the world will host Talmud study events on Nov. 7, which organizers have dubbed the Global Day of Jewish Learning. The date was selected to coincide with Rabbi Steinsaltz’s completion of the 45th and final volume of his translation and commentary on the Talmud, a monumental task he began in 1965, at age 27.
“The Talmud belongs to all Jews, and not just a special sect or elite group,” said Rabbi Steinsaltz. “Through the power of these translations and the power of modern technology, we are awakening Jews to their shared heritage.”
Organizers hope Jews of every background will visit TheGlobalDay.com, explore what the site has to offer, and sign up to be part of this unique global conversation about the Talmudic take on contemporary issues.
A uniquely unifying endeavor, the effort counts among its supporting partners the governing bodies, leadership, and ordaining institutions of the Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox movements of Judaism, as well as the leadership of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association.
More than 150 communities around the world have already registered to convene Global Day of Jewish Learning programs on Nov. 7, representing Jews throughout the United States, Canada, Israel, and Europe, as well as India, Australia, Turkey, and South America. More than 50 communities in the former Soviet Union have already registered to participate, engaging Jews in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Along with the Aleph Society, organizing partners of the Global Day of Jewish Learning include: the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee; the Jewish Community Center Association; Jewish Education Service of North America; Jewish Federations of North America; Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life; and the Shefa Institute. Visit TheGlobalDay.com for the full list of partners and additional information.
eJewish Philanthropy is a supporting partner of the Global Day of Jewish Learning project.
Why is it the day before the JFNA GA?
To the organizers of Global Day of Jewish Learning,
Is this day being coordinated with the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America as it appears to conflict. I hope so! Otherwise, with so many days in the calendar it does not make sense to have two such important events at the same time. Many people may be traveling to the GA that day so they could not participate.
I am very enthusiastic about the Global Day of Jewish Learning! I hope that Jews from all
affiliations and even those with no affiliation participate. I spent six weeks volunteering at Rabbi Shtseinsaltz’s Yeshiva, Mekor Chaim, in Jerusalem this winter. Jewish unity and respect for ALL levels of committment is an imperative for our survival.The work that Rabbi Shteinsaltz is doing is a wake-up call to all. His voice is the shofar alerting us to the dangers within!