Valley Beit Midrash

Inspiring Action Through Shared Study

Valley Beit Midrash is a pluralistic, non-denominational center for learning and action built on three pillars: Jewish learning, social action, and leadership development. Alongside extensive online programming, it offers in-person learning and volunteer events across hub cities in Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, and Las Vegas.

Small Group Vision: The Jewish Wisdom Fellowship

Valley Beit Midrash has years of experience running teen, young adult, and national fellowships. It is now launching a new model: a national cohort of 10 fellows, each leading a local text-study group of 8–12 participants. Groups meet at least monthly from November through June, and they can gather more often if they want to.

Groups meet wherever fits best: homes, synagogues, hub-city offices, or online for networks that are spread out or less mobile. Participation is free. Fellows receive source sheets, study guides, and discussion questions for each topic, along with meeting space near hub cities and a $500 stipend when they complete the program.

Wisdom is the bridge between Torah learning and doing good in the world

Accessible Jewish Wisdom

Valley Beit Midrash believes the study of text should inspire action. For the organization, wisdom is the bridge between Torah learning and doing good in the world. The year’s curriculum centers on five headline topics, including ethical consumption, welcoming the stranger, and democracy. It draws on Torah, Talmud, and modern Jewish voices.

The content follows the Jewish calendar, the Torah reading cycle, and the holidays, so each theme arrives when it’s most relevant, such as exploring consumerism around Hanukkah. Each group reflects its fellow’s own networks. Across the cohort, that brings together young adults, seniors, synagogue congregants, progressive activists, and members of the LGBTQ community.

Peer Leadership Model

Each group is led by a fellow chosen through a national application process. Fellows train together in national sessions that cover both content and facilitation skills, including active and empathetic listening and chavruta practice. Materials arrive about a month before each local session. That gives fellows time to prepare, or to swap in their own texts as long as they stay within the year’s curricular goals.

The program holds that a leader’s job is to make sure the work gets done, not to do all of it alone. Fellows are encouraged to bring group members into facilitation as the year goes on. Through 1-on-1 support, informal check-ins, and a peer WhatsApp group, Valley Beit Midrash helps every fellow grow in confidence over the course of the year.

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