“Make For Yourself a Teacher and Acquire For Yourself a Friend”: What We’re Learning About Jewish Learning

What does it mean to be a lifelong Jewish learner—and what gets in the way? In this text-based session, we’ll explore Pirkei Avot 1:6 (“Acquire for yourself a teacher”) and 5:21 (“At five years of age, the study of Scripture…”) as frameworks for thinking about mentorship, growth, and imposter syndrome in Jewish life. Together, we’ll ask: How do these teachings shape our understanding of who belongs in Jewish learning spaces? How do we cultivate learning communities that support both confidence and humility? Come for the wisdom of the sages, stay for the reflection on your own Jewish journey.

Avidan Halivni is the associate director of the Jewish Learning Collaborative, a new platform for Jewish professional development that offers customized, one-on-one Jewish learning for professionals and lay leaders at Jewish organizations. He served as a Ramah Service Corps Fellow in Berlin for two years in a Hebrew-German bilingual school and on the Jewish Education team at Hillel Deutschland. Avidan has studied at Yeshivat Ma'ale Gilboa and Yeshivat Hadar, and was a Fellow with the Nachshon Project. He graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University in 2019 and holds an MA from the University of Chicago Divinity School in the History of Judaism.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.