Omek | Community & Deeper Judaism for Young Adults

A space for Jewish young adults in the Twin Cities interested in building community and exploring Judaism on a deeper level.

ARE
YOU

  • A Jewish young adult (age 21-39) in the Twin Cities?

  • Interested in building a lasting community?

  • Ready to explore Judaism on a deeper level?

  • Looking for a Jewish space that is welcoming and inclusive to all Jews regardless of religious practice and knowledge, political views, sexuality, race, and family background?

  • Interested in a community experience that includes great people, fabulous food, and culminate in a highly subsidized, meaningful trip to Germany?

If this sounds like you
(or someone you know)
keep reading!

Rabbi Rodich is gathering a group of about 20 motivated young adults to dive deep into Jewish learning from January to April 2025. After these sessions, we’ll embark on a weeklong, immersive journey to Berlin, Germany, in partnership with Germany Close Up. As guests of the German government, we’ll explore the rich and complex history of German Jewry and witness the vibrant Jewish life thriving in modern-day Germany, a hub for young Jews from around the world.

What We’re Looking For:

  • Curiosity and a willingness to explore how Jewish tradition can shape your personal growth

  • Commitment to attending all sessions

  • Desire to have fun and contribute to a positive group dynamic

THE DETAILS

THE LEARNING SESSIONS
January–April, 2025

These sessions are free, thanks to a generous donor. We’ll meet five times from January through April at Temple Israel, and all sessions will include a meal.

Saturday, January 11
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

  • Welcome, connect, mix

  • Beit Midrash 1: The Amazing Story of the Jewish People
    in Two Hours

  • Jewish Spiritual Experiential Learning: Gems of Jewish Prayer

Tuesday, February 4
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

  • Jewish Spiritual Experiential Learning: Niggun

  • Beit Midrash 2: Talmud Deep Dive—The Case of the Rebellious Son: Joy, Humor, and Heartbreak of Ancient Text

Tuesday, February 18
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

  • Jewish Spiritual Experiential Learning: The Torah Scroll

  • Beit Midrash 3: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict—Roots, Visions, Despair, Peace

Tuesday, March 4
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Jewish Spiritual Experiential Learning: Communal Singing

  • Beit Midrash 4: Mystics, Kabbalah, and Chasidut

Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

  • Germany Prep:

    • Trip Overview

    • The German-Jewish Experience

Read in advance: "The Pity of It All: A Portrait of the German-Jewish Epoch, 1743-1933" by Amos Elon

THE TRIP TO GERMANY
May 4–10, 2025 

Arrive in Berlin by Saturday, May 3; hotel available May 3 to May 11.

A generous scholarship from the German government reduces the total trip cost to just $950, covering airfare, hotels, tours, and most meals. Limited additional scholarships are available—just ask!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

On this trip, you’ll explore modern Germany, its efforts to reckon with the Holocaust, and its transformation into a modern democratic country at the heart of Europe. As home to one of the fastest-growing Jewish communities in the world, Germany offers a unique perspective. We’ll visit key historical sites, including a former concentration camp and museums, and meet with German thought leaders and young adults, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. You’ll experience firsthand the past and present of Jewish life in Germany and reflect on what this means for Jews today.

We warmly encourage Jews from all backgrounds to apply. Belonging is a key value at Temple Israel as we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive community.

Eligibility (includes requirements from Germany Close Up):
Participants must be between the ages of 21 and 39, be Jewish (by having one Jewish parent or through conversion), and be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You must not have participated in a Germany Close Up program before. The age and citizenship/residency requirements are set by Germany Close Up and are not flexible.

Note: This trip is offered in partnership with Germany Close Up, which requires all participants to apply formally through them. We will guide participants through this process at a later time.

Interested? Apply Today!
Click here to apply