Warring with God(s), Journeying for Community, and Killing Nazi Zombies - Torah in Video Games

This class will feature passionate descriptions (and clips!) of video games followed by chavruta study utilizing a variety of Jewish texts and sources. The main characters and comparisons in this class are Kratos from God of War vs Avraham the Destroyer of Idols, the Traveler from Journey vs Moshe the Leader, and surprise appearances from B.J. Blazkowicz (Wolfenstein) and Ellie (The Last of Us) on the themes of vengeance and justice.

Everyone is welcome! The class is appropriate for all ages, all levels of familiarity with Jewish texts, and any or no amount of video game experience.
Participants will leave the class with an appreciation for the stories we find in video games, and with deep thoughts about Jewish texts.

Dr. Ira Kirschner usually works in higher education student affairs, but lately plays too many video games and reads too much scifi and fantasy, and justifies that by occasionally connecting it all to life and Torah.

Ira was raised in Israel, where he served in the IDF for five years as an infantry soldier and officer, and later volunteered for organizations educating for tolerance and acceptance of LGBTQ people in Orthodox communities.
Since relocating to the US in 2019, Ira completed his doctorate at the University of Kansas, where he researched the identity and experiences of LGBTQ Jewish students. Ira now lives in Boston and volunteers for the Boston Community Hevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society). Ira spends his free time cultivating his beard, saving the world on his PS5, and hosting Shabbat dinners with his husband, Sam, and their dachshund, Rummikub.

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.