Recent News

The Hadar Institute is excited to announce a new set of efforts to empower and inspire Jewish teens across the country. These initiatives will be led by Aliza Abolafia, who will start this summer as Hadar’s first-ever Associate Director of Teen Empowerment. “Jewish teens are searching for religious meaning,” said Abolafia. “They need pathways to learn and live out Jewish texts and tradition

The Hadar Institute is delighted to announce a major expansion of our work building vibrant communities of Torah, Avodah, Hesed. "Hadar West Coast” will be led by Rabbi David Kasher with new programming and partnerships in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. After listening to many local community members, leaders, and organizational partners, we have learned a lot about Jewish life on the

This Shabbat we will read Parashat Zakhor, remembering the command to blot out Amalek. And then we will head into Purim, recalling a time when Jews took up arms to defend themselves from annihilation. This week, we have once again experienced Jews being attacked and murdered with their guard down. It is thus natural to reach for Parashat Zakhor when seeking vengeance for what was taken from us. It

Hadar is excited to announce that Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, President and CEO of Hadar, will write our 5783 weekly Dvar Torah! Subscribe now to receive weekly emails beginning with Parashat Bereishit. These essays will explore the roots of Jewish prayer in the weekly parashah, drawing out connections between and offering new insights into the relationship between these sets of texts. R. Elie explains,

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, fears abound about the future of abortion access in America. There is much work to be done to honor the dignity and agency of people navigating pregnancy. This moment is also a time to reach for the religious narratives and theologies that strengthen us in this kind of work. It feels so important to embrace Jewish tradition

R. Prof. David Weiss Halivni has passed away, and the tributes and memories have been pouring in. I first heard about R. Halivni, זכרונו לברכה, from my father, יבדל לחיים ארוכים, who was his student in the 1970s at the Jewish Theological Seminary. I was not able as a child to understand much about what his contributions were, but it was clear that he was a giant of learning, capable of holding in

We are thrilled to announce this year's Jewish Wisdom Fellows! Hadar's Jewish Wisdom Fellowship is a collective learning and thought leadership project for Jewish professionals. Over 5 weeks, four cohorts will engage with some of the most pressing social, moral, and spiritual questions confronting our communities and the world.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Our 41 Jewish Wisdom Fellows will study and work together over

Hadar welcomes people from all backgrounds to study in our online and in-person classes, events, and multi-day programs, and there is never a requirement to share anything about Jewish status as a prerequisite. We aim to be an institution of learning for all who want to connect with Torah. Among the hundreds of programs we offer annually, we offer two Yeshivat Hadar programs, the Summer Beit

Have a question about the laws and practices of Pesah? Hadar’s Advanced Kollel is here to help! Check out the next batch of questions and answers below or fill out this form to receive an answer of your own. Can one find the afikoman, share it with everyone at the table to eat, but still have a late dessert at the table during the songs at Nirtzah? Especially as the deserts all have matzah meal in

Have a question about the laws and practices of Pesah? Hadar’s Advanced Kollel is here to help! Check out the first few questions and answers below or fill out this form to receive an answer of your own. I have a jar of peanut butter that has a hekhsher and the only ingredient listed is peanuts. Can I use it on Pesah? Answer by Beth Levy According to the Shulhan Arukh (OH 447:4), regarding food