Come by to Der Nister from Noon onwards on Fridays to study, chat, browse the bookstore and learn anything you’d like with Malke Morrell, Rabbi Golden or Rabbi Hollander. Write to golden@dernister.org for the code.

We are excited to launch a Jewish mindful meditation series, led by Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro. Our teachings will be rooted in the teachings of Sefer Yetzirah — one of the most ancient and mysterious works of Jewish mysticism.

Sefer Yetzirah is a pre-Kabbalistic text that infers that the Hebrew letters themselves are more than symbols: they are the  building blocks of creation, channels of divine energy, and pathways into deeper awareness. In this meditation series, we will explore the letters as sources of magic, creativity, and transformation. Through guided practices, chanting, and silent reflection, we will invite the power of the alef-bet to open our hearts, calm our minds, and connect us more fully to the sacred flow of life.

No previous meditation experience is required. This is a welcoming space for all who wish to encounter Jewish wisdom through the lens of mindfulness, presence, and contemplative practice. Together, we will enter into a centuries-old stream of Jewish mysticism in community and allow it to nourish us in the present moment.

Kerith Spencer-Shapiro is a meditation teacher whose work weaves Jewish wisdom, contemplative practice, and music to open pathways of presence and reflection. She also serves as Rosh T’filah and Cantor at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, guiding prayer and mentoring future clergy. She brings her experience leading Jewish meditation retreats and teaching mindfulness to create spacious, soulful moments of reflection and connection.

This group will meet weekly on Wednesdays, at a new time, from 10-10:45 AM in person only.

Register

Come by to Der Nister from Noon onwards on Fridays to study, chat, browse the bookstore and learn anything you’d like with Malke Morrell, Rabbi Golden or Rabbi Hollander. Write to golden@dernister.org for the code.

We are excited to launch a Jewish mindful meditation series, led by Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro. Our teachings will be rooted in the teachings of Sefer Yetzirah — one of the most ancient and mysterious works of Jewish mysticism.

Sefer Yetzirah is a pre-Kabbalistic text that infers that the Hebrew letters themselves are more than symbols: they are the  building blocks of creation, channels of divine energy, and pathways into deeper awareness. In this meditation series, we will explore the letters as sources of magic, creativity, and transformation. Through guided practices, chanting, and silent reflection, we will invite the power of the alef-bet to open our hearts, calm our minds, and connect us more fully to the sacred flow of life.

No previous meditation experience is required. This is a welcoming space for all who wish to encounter Jewish wisdom through the lens of mindfulness, presence, and contemplative practice. Together, we will enter into a centuries-old stream of Jewish mysticism in community and allow it to nourish us in the present moment.

Kerith Spencer-Shapiro is a meditation teacher whose work weaves Jewish wisdom, contemplative practice, and music to open pathways of presence and reflection. She also serves as Rosh T’filah and Cantor at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, guiding prayer and mentoring future clergy. She brings her experience leading Jewish meditation retreats and teaching mindfulness to create spacious, soulful moments of reflection and connection.

This group will meet weekly on Wednesdays, at a new time, from 10-10:45 AM in person only.

Register

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Vayishlach. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Enter through the stairs on Grand or on 1st, or take the elevators next to the staircases.

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Vayeitzei. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Enter through the stairs on Grand or on 1st, or take the elevators next to the staircases.

Come by to Der Nister from Noon onwards on Fridays to study, chat, browse the bookstore and learn anything you’d like with Malke Morrell, Rabbi Golden or Rabbi Hollander. Write to golden@dernister.org for the code.

We are excited to launch a Jewish mindful meditation series, led by Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro. Our teachings will be rooted in the teachings of Sefer Yetzirah — one of the most ancient and mysterious works of Jewish mysticism.

Sefer Yetzirah is a pre-Kabbalistic text that infers that the Hebrew letters themselves are more than symbols: they are the  building blocks of creation, channels of divine energy, and pathways into deeper awareness. In this meditation series, we will explore the letters as sources of magic, creativity, and transformation. Through guided practices, chanting, and silent reflection, we will invite the power of the alef-bet to open our hearts, calm our minds, and connect us more fully to the sacred flow of life.

No previous meditation experience is required. This is a welcoming space for all who wish to encounter Jewish wisdom through the lens of mindfulness, presence, and contemplative practice. Together, we will enter into a centuries-old stream of Jewish mysticism in community and allow it to nourish us in the present moment.

Kerith Spencer-Shapiro is a meditation teacher whose work weaves Jewish wisdom, contemplative practice, and music to open pathways of presence and reflection. She also serves as Rosh T’filah and Cantor at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, guiding prayer and mentoring future clergy. She brings her experience leading Jewish meditation retreats and teaching mindfulness to create spacious, soulful moments of reflection and connection.

This group will meet weekly on Wednesdays, at a new time, from 10-10:45 AM in person only. (Rabbi Zach Golden will substitute this session.)

Join us for a lively Yiddish Class at the Central Library, instructed by Rabbi Golden. Whether you’re new to the language or reconnecting with it, enjoy an engaging introduction to Yiddish conversation, culture, and traditions, no prior experience needed.

Class Schedule:

Meeting Room B: 11/18/25 and 3/17/26

Meeting Room A: 12/16/25, 1/20/26, 2/17/26, 4/21/26, 5/19/26, 7/21/26, 9/15/26, 10/20/26, 11/17/26, 12/15/26

To RSVP, please email language@lapl.org.

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Toldot. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Enter through the stairs on Grand or on 1st, or take the elevators next to the staircases.

Come by to Der Nister from Noon onwards on Fridays to study, chat, browse the bookstore and learn anything you’d like with Malke Morrell, Rabbi Golden or Rabbi Hollander. Write to golden@dernister.org for the code.

We are excited to launch a new Jewish mindful meditation series, opening just after the High Holidays, led by Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro. Our first series will be rooted in the teachings of Sefer Yetzirah — one of the most ancient and mysterious works of Jewish mysticism.

Sefer Yetzirah is a pre-Kabbalistic text that infers that the Hebrew letters themselves are more than symbols: they are the  building blocks of creation, channels of divine energy, and pathways into deeper awareness. In this meditation series, we will explore the letters as sources of magic, creativity, and transformation. Through guided practices, chanting, and silent reflection, we will invite the power of the alef-bet to open our hearts, calm our minds, and connect us more fully to the sacred flow of life.

No previous meditation experience is required. This is a welcoming space for all who wish to encounter Jewish wisdom through the lens of mindfulness, presence, and contemplative practice. Together, we will enter into a centuries-old stream of Jewish mysticism in community and allow it to nourish us in the present moment.

Kerith Spencer-Shapiro is a meditation teacher whose work weaves Jewish wisdom, contemplative practice, and music to open pathways of presence and reflection. She also serves as Rosh T’filah and Cantor at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, guiding prayer and mentoring future clergy. She brings her experience leading Jewish meditation retreats and teaching mindfulness to create spacious, soulful moments of reflection and connection.

Beginning October 22nd, this group will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 8-8:45 AM in person only.

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Vayera. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Enter through the stairs on Grand or on 1st, or take the elevators next to the staircases.

Come by to Der Nister from Noon onwards on Fridays to study, chat, browse the bookstore and learn anything you’d like with Malke Morrell, Rabbi Golden or Rabbi Hollander. Write to golden@dernister.org for the code.

Come by to Der Nister from Noon onwards on Fridays to study, chat, browse the bookstore and learn anything you’d like with Malke Morrell, Rabbi Golden or Rabbi Hollander. Write to golden@dernister.org for the code.

We are excited to launch a new Jewish mindful meditation series, opening just after the High Holidays, led by Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro. Our first series will be rooted in the teachings of Sefer Yetzirah — one of the most ancient and mysterious works of Jewish mysticism.

Sefer Yetzirah is a pre-Kabbalistic text that infers that the Hebrew letters themselves are more than symbols: they are the  building blocks of creation, channels of divine energy, and pathways into deeper awareness. In this meditation series, we will explore the letters as sources of magic, creativity, and transformation. Through guided practices, chanting, and silent reflection, we will invite the power of the alef-bet to open our hearts, calm our minds, and connect us more fully to the sacred flow of life.

No previous meditation experience is required. This is a welcoming space for all who wish to encounter Jewish wisdom through the lens of mindfulness, presence, and contemplative practice. Together, we will enter into a centuries-old stream of Jewish mysticism in community and allow it to nourish us in the present moment.

Kerith Spencer-Shapiro is a meditation teacher whose work weaves Jewish wisdom, contemplative practice, and music to open pathways of presence and reflection. She also serves as Rosh T’filah and Cantor at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, guiding prayer and mentoring future clergy. She brings her experience leading Jewish meditation retreats and teaching mindfulness to create spacious, soulful moments of reflection and connection.

Beginning October 22nd, this group will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 8-8:45 AM  in person only.  Pre-registration is required — stay tuned for a link.

Rabbi Zach Golden leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion, substituting for Rabbi Hollander. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Lech Lecha. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day.

We are excited to launch a new Jewish mindful meditation series, opening just after the High Holidays, led by Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro. Our first series will be rooted in the teachings of Sefer Yetzirah — one of the most ancient and mysterious works of Jewish mysticism.

Sefer Yetzirah is a pre-Kabbalistic text that infers that the Hebrew letters themselves are more than symbols: they are the  building blocks of creation, channels of divine energy, and pathways into deeper awareness. In this meditation series, we will explore the letters as sources of magic, creativity, and transformation. Through guided practices, chanting, and silent reflection, we will invite the power of the alef-bet to open our hearts, calm our minds, and connect us more fully to the sacred flow of life.

No previous meditation experience is required. This is a welcoming space for all who wish to encounter Jewish wisdom through the lens of mindfulness, presence, and contemplative practice. Together, we will enter into a centuries-old stream of Jewish mysticism in community and allow it to nourish us in the present moment.

Kerith Spencer-Shapiro is a meditation teacher whose work weaves Jewish wisdom, contemplative practice, and music to open pathways of presence and reflection. She also serves as Rosh T’filah and Cantor at the Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, guiding prayer and mentoring future clergy. She brings her experience leading Jewish meditation retreats and teaching mindfulness to create spacious, soulful moments of reflection and connection.

Beginning October 22nd, this group will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 8-8:45 AM  in person only.  Pre-registration is required — stay tuned for a link.

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Ki Tavo. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Contact Rabbi Hollander at hollander@dernister.org if you think you may be able to attend, or call him at 415-407-1498.

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Ki Teitzei. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Contact Rabbi Hollander at hollander@dernister.org if you think you may be able to attend, or call him at 415-407-1498.

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Ki Teitzei. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Contact Rabbi Hollander at hollander@dernister.org if you think you may be able to attend, or call him at 415-407-1498.

Sign up for Der Nister Language Classes! 

This summer, we're teaching both Yiddish and Classical Hebrew in three sessions: reading the alef-beys/alef bet, beginners and intermediate, so you can progress your learning the whole summer long or jump in where it's right for you. The classes are on Zoom for your convenience, but on Friday afternoons you are invited to come to Der Nister to practice with your teachers!

Each session, 6 classes in 3 weeks plus office hours is $125

Session III: August 3-August 19

Intermediate Conversational Yiddish
Teacher: Zach
Meeting times: 2-3pm Sunday, AND 7-8pm Tuesday on ZOOM
Office hours (come speak Yiddish in person!): Fridays 12-6pm
Material to be covered:
Past, future and command tenses
Cases
Word order
Vocabulary through reading and speaking

Register

Sign up for Der Nister Language Classes! 

This summer, we're teaching both Yiddish and Classical Hebrew in three sessions: reading the alef-beys/alef bet, beginners and intermediate, so you can progress your learning the whole summer long or jump in where it's right for you. The classes are on Zoom for your convenience, but on Friday afternoons you are invited to come to Der Nister to practice with your teachers!

Each session, 6 classes in 3 weeks plus office hours is $125

Session III: August 3-August 19

Intermediate Classical Hebrew
Teacher: Zach
Meeting times: 1-2pm Sunday, AND 5-6pm Tuesday on ZOOM
Office hours (work on decoding Hebrew): Fridays 12-6pm
Material to be covered:
Binyanim
Decoding rabbinic and biblical text
Dictionary usage mastery
Reading fluency

Register

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Shoftim. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Contact Rabbi Hollander at hollander@dernister.org if you think you may be able to attend, or call him at 415-407-1498.

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Re’eh. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Contact Rabbi Hollander at hollander@dernister.org if you think you may be able to attend, or call him at 415-407-1498.

Sign up for Der Nister Language Classes! 

This summer, we're teaching both Yiddish and Classical Hebrew in three sessions: reading the alef-beys/alef bet, beginners and intermediate, so you can progress your learning the whole summer long or jump in where it's right for you. The classes are on Zoom for your convenience, but on Friday afternoons you are invited to come to Der Nister to practice with your teachers!

Each session, 6 classes in 3 weeks plus office hours is $125

Session III: August 3-August 19

Intermediate Conversational Yiddish
Teacher: Zach
Meeting times: 2-3pm Sunday, AND 7-8pm Tuesday on ZOOM
Office hours (come speak Yiddish in person!): Fridays 12-6pm
Material to be covered:
Past, future and command tenses
Cases
Word order
Vocabulary through reading and speaking

Register

Sign up for Der Nister Language Classes! 

This summer, we're teaching both Yiddish and Classical Hebrew in three sessions: reading the alef-beys/alef bet, beginners and intermediate, so you can progress your learning the whole summer long or jump in where it's right for you. The classes are on Zoom for your convenience, but on Friday afternoons you are invited to come to Der Nister to practice with your teachers!

Each session, 6 classes in 3 weeks plus office hours is $125

Session III: August 3-August 19

Intermediate Classical Hebrew
Teacher: Zach
Meeting times: 1-2pm Sunday, AND 5-6pm Tuesday on ZOOM
Office hours (work on decoding Hebrew): Fridays 12-6pm
Material to be covered:
Binyanim
Decoding rabbinic and biblical text
Dictionary usage mastery
Reading fluency

Register

Sign up for Der Nister Language Classes! 

This summer, we're teaching both Yiddish and Classical Hebrew in three sessions: reading the alef-beys/alef bet, beginners and intermediate, so you can progress your learning the whole summer long or jump in where it's right for you. The classes are on Zoom for your convenience, but on Friday afternoons you are invited to come to Der Nister to practice with your teachers!

Each session, 6 classes in 3 weeks plus office hours is $125

Session III: August 3-August 19

Intermediate Conversational Yiddish
Teacher: Zach
Meeting times: 2-3pm Sunday, AND 7-8pm Tuesday on ZOOM
Office hours (come speak Yiddish in person!): Fridays 12-6pm
Material to be covered:
Past, future and command tenses
Cases
Word order
Vocabulary through reading and speaking

Register

Sign up for Der Nister Language Classes! 

This summer, we're teaching both Yiddish and Classical Hebrew in three sessions: reading the alef-beys/alef bet, beginners and intermediate, so you can progress your learning the whole summer long or jump in where it's right for you. The classes are on Zoom for your convenience, but on Friday afternoons you are invited to come to Der Nister to practice with your teachers!

Each session, 6 classes in 3 weeks plus office hours is $125

Session III: August 3-August 19

Intermediate Classical Hebrew
Teacher: Zach
Meeting times: 1-2pm Sunday, AND 5-6pm Tuesday on ZOOM
Office hours (work on decoding Hebrew): Fridays 12-6pm
Material to be covered:
Binyanim
Decoding rabbinic and biblical text
Dictionary usage mastery
Reading fluency

Register

Rabbi Henry Hollander leads a weekly discussion on the week’s Torah portion. This week we’ll be looking at Parshah Eikev. We will study in Disney Hall’s beautiful rooftop garden at 12:00 PM, or in the Disney Hall lobby in the event of a cold, smoky or rainy day. Contact Rabbi Hollander at hollander@dernister.org if you think you may be able to attend, or call him at 415-407-1498.