Adult Education at Twinsburg Chabad is dedicated by the Flexer Family,
in memory of Dave & Libby Steinberg
summer 2026 course:
AMErica: A Nice Jewish Idea
How Jewish values helped shape America’s founding vision
As America prepares to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this four-part course explores the Jewish ideas, ethics, and values that helped shape America’s founding vision — and that continue to shape our government and society today.
Was it always obvious that all people are “created equal”? What is the real meaning of the “pursuit of happiness”? Where did America’s system of checks and balances come from? And what can we do today to help build a more just, moral, and united future?
Join us as we explore the Torah ideas behind some of America’s most powerful ideals — equality, responsibility, opportunity, faith, freedom, and moral leadership.
No previous Jewish learning necessary.
Four Wednesday evenings
Wednesday, June 24, July 1, 8, 15
6:45 PM – 8:00 PM
Dinner served each evening
Zoom option will be available
Price: $79 per person
10% Family Discount
Lesson Outline
Lesson One
The Foundations of the Covenant
America was not founded merely as a piece of land, but as an idea — a shared promise, a covenant. From the Pilgrims onward, many of America’s early leaders drew inspiration from the Hebrew Bible and its vision of a society built on moral responsibility. Discover how these ideas helped shape America’s founding spirit and made this country such a uniquely welcoming home for Jewish life.
Lesson Two
The Roots of Equality
Today we take it for granted that “all people are created equal.” But for most of history, that idea was anything but obvious. Where did it come from? Explore the Jewish roots of human dignity, the Torah’s view of every person as created in the image of G-d, and how this belief helped shape one of America’s most important ideals.
Lesson Three
In G-d We Trust
What is the American Dream? Is it only about financial success, or is there something deeper at the heart of it? Discover how a Biblical idea helped shape America’s belief in equal opportunity, human purpose, and the possibility of building a better life through faith, effort, and responsibility.
Lesson Four
The Separation of Powers
America’s government is built on checks and balances: no single person or branch holds unlimited power. But this idea has ancient roots. Explore the Torah’s model of leadership — kings, judges, priests, and prophets — and discover how Judaism understands power, morality, religion, and public life.
The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute
JLI's mission is to make Jewish learning accessible and personally meaningful to every person, regardless of background or affiliation. JLI's insightful curricula utilizes cutting-edge pedagogic techniques, embracing the multiple intelligence model and utilizing multimedia and an array of approaches to engage, educate, and inspire all kinds of minds in a dynamic Jewish learning experience.
Serving learning centers in over 1000 communities and on the internet, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) is the world's preeminent provider of Jewish learning. The Twinsburg affiliate of JLI opened in 2022.
This course is made possible in part by the Fund for the Jewish Future of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.