You don't have to know what a shofar is or even what Jewish holiday comes next to take free, introductory Judaism classes offered around the Tucson area through September — but you'll know when you're done.
Marana resident Jennifer Kandle didn't know much about Judaism before taking A Taste of Judaism classes a year and a half ago at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Road.
"I knew about Hanukkah, and that was about it," she said.
Participants in the temple's three-session Taste classes learn about Jewish traditions, rituals, culture and history, and sample Jewish cuisine, with no fees or obligations attached.
"The Taste idea is to be open to everybody," said Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon, one of the rabbis who presents the classes.
There's no expectation to take other follow-up, adult-education classes, he said.
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Like Kandle, 63 percent of people who have taken A Taste of Judaism classes since the courses began in Tucson in 2000 are non-Jewish.
However, the number of Jewish people taking them has increased over the years, Cohon said. For example, some attendees are Jewish Tucsonans who are not connected to a synagogue.
About 3,300 people have taken the classes, including nearly 470 last year, said Mila Anderson, the temple's program coordinator.
The program's first year, 2000, was its busiest, attracting 560 participants, she said.
In 2001, the temple began holding the classes on the Northwest Side and at the temple. This year, it is holding them at the temple and on the Northwest, Southeast and Northeast sides.
People have a variety of reasons for taking the classes. Some recently found out they have some Jewish ancestry, Anderson said. She remembers one man who took them because he was writing a novel and wanted to put in a Jewish character.
Kandle, 25, grew up Christian, but her engagement to a Jewish man, Brad Dux, inspired her to learn more about Judaism because they plan to raise their family Jewish.
Since taking the introductory course, she has taken a continuing Taste course and two more adult-education courses that the temple offers, including one on Hebrew. She converted to Judaism last November and will wed Dux in October.
Southeast Side resident Marleen Miller, 60, took A Taste of Judaism in 2006 as a way to get involved with Tucson's Jewish community. "I have always kind of been around Judaism," she said.
Miller has continued to take classes on Judaism since enrolling in the Taste classes and is now in the process of converting to the religion.
Though taking A Taste of Judaism became the pathway to conversion for both Miller and Kandle, the point of the classes isn't to get converts.
"Most of the people are there for education," Anderson said. "It's not a vehicle for conversion."
Miller agreed. "They love to share their heritage," she said of the classes' presenters. "They're not trying to convert people into Judaism. . . . They are just trying to help people get along better."
all areas
A Taste of Judaism sessions
Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Road.
• 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, starting this week, then Aug. 28 and Sept. 4.
• 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 7, 14 and 21. This session provides free child care, but people must R.S.V.P. for child care by Sept. 4.
Kirk-Bear Canyon Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Road.
• 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 3, 10 and 17.
Cottonwood Elementary School, in Rita Ranch at 9950 E. Rees Loop.
• 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 4, 11 and 18.
Pima Community College Northwest Campus, 7600 N. Shannon Road, in Community Room A.
• 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 8, 15 and 22.
Cost: Free, but preregistration for all sessions is required. For more information or to preregister, call Mila Anderson at 327-4501 Ext. 27 or the Taste of Judaism voice mail at 292-5816.
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