The world has shifted greatly over the past several months. Without in-person programming, there are fewer opportunities to connect meaningfully with our communities. Fortunately, Project Zug is uniquely positioned to enable individuals to connect one-on-one with a partner through meaningful discussion and discovery. Zug has filled this void for many people with a 29% increase in learners since the rise of COVID-19 in March 2020 compared to the same time period last year – and 36% new participants! People are seeking opportunities to connect and learn together.

Project Zug is Hadar’s havruta learning platform. Zug means “pair” in Hebrew, because Jewish learning is traditionally done in a havruta – a two-person partnership. All Project Zug participants have a partner with whom to navigate the course: to question, to debate, and to build a relationship. This is not the same as learning through Zoom or other large forums, but rather an opportunity to go deep with one other person. Participants choose a course that interests them, and receive the materials online, to learn on their own schedule.

Don’t have anyone to be your havruta? Just tell Project Zug a little bit about yourself, and we’ll find you your perfect learning match! You could connect with someone on the other side of the world, or just down the street!

There are over thirty courses to choose from, on everything from Kashrut, to Jewish parenting, to Bob Dylan, to tzedakah. There’s something for the professional Talmud scholar and first-time learner; your background makes no difference. One participant from our Elul Cycle said, “That havruta learning is not to be feared; on the contrary, that it is a time-honored and proven way to learn. No previous text study required. Jump right in!”

Our newest course this fall is Teshuvah and Criminal Justice: An Exploration of Second Chances with Yitzhak Bronstein, in partnership with the Maimonides Moot Court Competition. In this course, you’ll do a deep dive into teshuvah (repentance) and the rehabilitation process after one has committed various types of offenses. What do Jewish sources say about starting anew after breaking the law, and how can that inform our understanding of modern day criminal justice? Particularly at a time when questions about law enforcement and justice are being debated in the wider world, turning to Jewish wisdom on the subject has never been more timely.

Register by October 23. The next cycle kicks off on November 1.

Sign up here, or email info@projectzug.org to learn how you can bring Project Zug to your community.

Happy learning!