A Skirball Academy Class
Rabbi Jonathan Malamy
Introduction to Judaism
(Spring | Summer 2026)
Located at Emanu-El Downtown (in the Center for Jewish History on West 16th Street)
Ask your questions, learn multiple perspectives and discover what is meaningful to you in Reform Judaism. We’ll explore Jewish holidays and life-cycle ceremonies, beliefs, values, prayer, Jewish texts, Israel and the American Jewish experience.
This 18-session course is wonderfully suited for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, individuals considering conversion, spiritual seekers and anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life, no matter faith tradition, cultural background or religious upbringing.
Wednesdays*, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
$450 per person/$540 per couple (does not include books/materials)
Meeting on:
March 4, 11, 18, 25
March 31 (*Tuesday – uptown at Temple Emanu-El, 1 East 65th Street)
April 7 (*Tuesday – uptown at Temple Emanu-El, 1 East 65th Street)
April 15, 22, 29
May 6, 13, 20, 27
June 3, 10, 17,24
July 1
Rabbi Jonathan Malamy grew up in Greenwich Village in NYC. Synagogue youth group energized his Jewish life and planted a seed of interest in the rabbinate. He majored in music at Grinnell College and attended RRC receiving ordination in 2000. He holds membership in the Rabbinical Associations of both the Reform and Reconstructionist movements. Additionally, he earned an MS from Northwestern University, studying Marriage and Family Therapy at The Family Institute in Evanston, IL.
In 2000, he became the first full-time rabbi of Congregation B’nai Vail in Vail, Colorado. Later, he became a staff chaplain for Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Returning home to NYC, in 2008 he began work as Campus Rabbi and Director of Meaningful Life at The New Jewish Home, a post-acute rehab and long-term skilled nursing facility on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Over his 16 years there, he is particularly proud of his podcast Humans of Jewish Home, an award winning interview series with residents. All five episodes stream on YouTube. Currently, Rabbi Malamy is the spiritual leader of the Hebrew Congregation of Somers, in Northern Westchester.
Rabbi Malamy lives in White Plains with his wife, Cantor Jill Abramson, their son Eli, and a goldendoodle named Winnie. His interests include genealogy, cinema, technology, and noodling around on the guitar and ukulele.
Wednesdays*, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
$450 per person/$540 per couple (does not include books/materials)
Meeting on:
March 4, 11, 18, 25
March 31 (*Tuesday – uptown at Temple Emanu-El, 1 East 65th Street)
April 7 (*Tuesday – uptown at Temple Emanu-El, 1 East 65th Street)
April 15, 22, 29
May 6, 13, 20, 27
June 3, 10, 17,24
July 1
Ask your questions, learn multiple perspectives and discover what is meaningful to you in Reform Judaism. We’ll explore Jewish holidays and life-cycle ceremonies, beliefs, values, prayer, Jewish texts, Israel and the American Jewish experience.
This 18-session course is wonderfully suited for interfaith couples, those raising Jewish children, individuals considering conversion, spiritual seekers and anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life, no matter faith tradition, cultural background or religious upbringing.
Rabbi Jonathan Malamy grew up in Greenwich Village in NYC. Synagogue youth group energized his Jewish life and planted a seed of interest in the rabbinate. He majored in music at Grinnell College and attended RRC receiving ordination in 2000. He holds membership in the Rabbinical Associations of both the Reform and Reconstructionist movements. Additionally, he earned an MS from Northwestern University, studying Marriage and Family Therapy at The Family Institute in Evanston, IL.
In 2000, he became the first full-time rabbi of Congregation B’nai Vail in Vail, Colorado. Later, he became a staff chaplain for Midwest Palliative and Hospice CareCenter in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Returning home to NYC, in 2008 he began work as Campus Rabbi and Director of Meaningful Life at The New Jewish Home, a post-acute rehab and long-term skilled nursing facility on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Over his 16 years there, he is particularly proud of his podcast Humans of Jewish Home, an award winning interview series with residents. All five episodes stream on YouTube. Currently, Rabbi Malamy is the spiritual leader of the Hebrew Congregation of Somers, in Northern Westchester.
Rabbi Malamy lives in White Plains with his wife, Cantor Jill Abramson, their son Eli, and a goldendoodle named Winnie. His interests include genealogy, cinema, technology, and noodling around on the guitar and ukulele.