The Ben Zakkai Institute offers opportunities for discussion and exploration to gain deeper understandings of Jewish sources, wisdom, and traditions in the field of end-of-life. Please join us as we learn together through our “Learning Series” composed of online sessions with outstanding scholars.

What We Do

The Ben Zakkai Institute offers unique opportunities to understand Jewish wisdom, rituals, and traditions around death and dying by exploring ancient and modern texts through new perspectives and insights. The Institute invites outstanding scholars and teachers to lead this discovery in which everyone gets to participate. No previous experience or level of learning is necessary to join these joyful and intriguing gatherings. Everyone is welcome.

Dedicated Educators

We know that learning is easier when you have an excellent instructor. Our faculty are passionate about the subjects they teach and bring this enthusiasm into their lessons.

Our sessions are designed around sharing, studying, and discussing, as we inquire into each topic as a group. Instructors include scholars and rabbis invited to facilitate the discussion and share their wisdom. Together with those in attendance, all of whom have much to share, we explore the ideas as a community. The topics we study change throughout the year but are generally explored through a series of sessions over two, three or four consecutive weeks.

Text-Based Curriculum

Are you a beginner, expert, or somewhere in between? Everyone is included as we explore Jewish texts and their relationships with our death practices and with how we incorporate their teachings in our lives.

Respect-Based Learning

We are all students and teachers for each other. Everyone has wisdom to share. As we explore Jewish texts, we include experts to guide us while welcoming all students to contribute and participate in the sharing that is our group learning experience.

We expect all students and teachers to treat each other with respect, dignity, and courtesy.

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