Rabbi Jack Shlachter/Courtesy photo
LOS ALAMOS JEWISH CENTER NEWS RELEASE
Rabbi Jack Shlachter, a beloved local spiritual leader and educator, is inviting adults looking to reconnect with their Jewish heritage to explore Judaism through an engaging and accessible new course titled Standing on One Foot: A Intro to Adult Judaism & Three-Part Refresher. The free series will be held on three consecutive Monday evenings—June 9, 16, and 23—at the Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos, beginning with a social hour at 5:30 PM followed by interactive discussions from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.
Designed for adults with little or no Jewish education—or those returning after time away—this series offers an inclusive, judgment-free zone to ask big questions and reconnect with Jewish wisdom and culture.
“This class is for anyone who’s ever felt curious, disconnected, or unsure where to begin,” says Rabbi Jack. “Each session is an invitation to explore what it means to live an ethical life, guided by thousands of years of Jewish dialogue and tradition.”
Inspired by the famous story of Rabbi Hillel—who summarized Judaism while standing on one foot as “what is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor”—the Jewish teachings are distilled into three approachable themes:
● What is Judaism?
● How is Judaism practiced?
● Why be Jewish today?
The class is designed to stimulate meaningful dialogue and personal discovery in a welcoming environment, offering participants the chance to learn and reflect. The pre-session social hour will feature refreshments and light-hearted introductions to Yiddish phrases in an effort to foster community as well as conversation.
“Judaism isn’t a religion of rigid answers—it’s a tradition of asking, debating, and practicing,” Rabbi Jack explains. “We’re not just teaching Judaism; we’re creating a safe space for people to rediscover a part of themselves they thought was lost—or maybe never fully known.”
At a time when many adults are reexamining questions of identity and spirituality, these sessions address a growing need, especially among younger generations, who are increasingly seeing themselves as having a “cultural but not religious” identity. The course is already generating buzz among interfaith families, cultural Jews, and spiritual seekers, given the goal is to empower participants to explore Jewish ideas and practices in a way that makes sense for them.
“Many people think they need to ‘believe’ in a certain way to be Jewish,” Rabbi Jack adds, “but Judaism’s approach to belief is often more nuanced and personal.”
By offering the course free of charge, Rabbi Jack hopes to eliminate barriers and widen access to Jewish learning and belonging.
To register, visit: lajc.org/event-list
For more information, contact Rabbi Jack Shlachter: physicsrabbi@gmail.com