Changing the world and ourselves through multi-disciplinary discourse

Before you read further… we’re running a fundraising campaign to support our programming in Israel and we would love to have you join us. Please consider making a contribution here.

upcoming Live & Virtual Events

The people of Israel, both Jewish and Arab, are undergoing an unforeseen transformation in self-conception–both in relation to the world as well as reconceiving fundamental questions of Jewish & Israeli consciousness. Past political, religious, and social categories have become obsolete after October 7. Part of this process of reconfiguration involves reflection and engagement with ourselves and our history–and seeking out a new language and worldview that is contemporary to our times and needs.

We believe, now it is crucial to work on “internal defense” by engaging with intellectual and spiritual questions that shape our sense of what Israel stands for and what it means to be Jewish and or Israelis (this includes all Arab and non-Jewish inhabitants and citizens). Given the global nature of discourse about the War, we also feel it valuable to engage in discourse with our international community.

We are releasing newsletters focused on the current war in Israel, exploring this radical transfiguration. Sign up here.

Featured

SHIUR tel aviv community shabbat: liminality

May 31

May 31, 2024

SHIUR tel aviv community shabbat: liminality

May 31, 2024

SHIUR Retreat: Bohemian midsummer shabbat

Jun 21

Jun 21, 2024 – Jun 23, 2024

SHIUR Retreat: Bohemian midsummer shabbat

Jun 21, 2024 – Jun 23, 2024

who we are & what we do

SHIUR is a multidisciplinary project and a global community that engages diplomats, cultural and business leaders, students and activists who are eager to critically engage with content and practice drawn from Jewish and other cultural sources through discourse, both digitally and in real life.

We critically explore the intersection between theory, text, culture, art, cinema, spirituality, and more through retreats and events in unique locations, museums, embassies, and cultural spaces.

"SHIUR creates a unique and inclusive atmosphere in which sophisticated and experimental teaching and learning can take place. Micki Weinberg's great love of books and highly original ideas and connections evokes much enthusiasm and creates remarkable commitment amongst his students. The welcoming space that SHIUR crafts enables a very lively exchange amongst people of diverse backgrounds and identities."

Professor Jonathan Garb,
Gershom Scholem Chair in Kabbalah
Hebrew University
“a series…of both Jewish and general interest, conducted on an extraordinarily high intellectual level…Weinberg is…a highly creative mind and an out-of-the-box thinker…”

Rabbi Professor Arthur Green
"I value so much how SHIUR brings people from all the world’s cultures together for serious study. Too often Jewish learning is parochial but Micki Weinberg is an original and open-minded thinker so deeply rooted in Jewish texts and traditions he knows how to share them with a global audience. I so admire his brilliance, his great generosity of spirit and his terrific energy."

Rodger Kamenetz, Poet, Professor, Author of Jew in the Lotus
“The Midsummer Retreat allowed me to disconnect from the thoughts and motions of my daily life and step into an ‘alterity’ of Shabbat in which we explored interesting, challenging texts and ideas with a group of curious minds. The experience challenged my idea of what it means to ‘retreat’ and how the concept exists in western cultures today…Our venue in the Dutch countryside, the yoga and ecstatic movement sessions, the wonderful food, and the spontaneous moments of music and dance made the experience all the more special…already looking forward to the next rendition!”

Alex Swerdlow, Consultant
"The retreat really was an eye-opening experience for me. The texts and Micki's way of introducing them to us gave me a deeper understanding of the meaning of Shabbat and how I, even as a non-Jewish person, can incorporate it into my life and benefit from it. Everything from logistics to food and the program was very well planned and executed. Micki and his team made everyone feel welcome and included. I loved the stimulation of not only the mind, but also the body by different, seemingly unrelated practices like yoga, breathwork and dancing - yet they contemplated each other perfectly and I was able to take something valuable from each workshop. The diversity of the group and the different perspectives from everyone widened my horizon and the calmness and beauty of Netherlands countryside supported my journey of contemplation and transformation. I will definitely come back and would highly recommend visiting a SHIUR retreat!"

Vera Strathmann, Photographer
"Attending SHIUR has been a pleasure and an inspiration. I’ve learned about new poets and photographers, and enjoyed the discussions and the newfound connections between Talmudic texts, contemporary theories, and art. Hearing presentations from disciplines such as architecture or psychology has been a rich experience, and I’ve enjoyed the online community that emerged from these shared explorations."

Dr. Dana Schmalz, Senior Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg/Berlin
"SHIUR by Micki Weinberg plays an important role in the Jewish ecosystem in Berlin. As Micki is active in various Jewish circles, he draws a diverse crowd of young people who are curious about Jewish philosophy and learning. By combining deeply religious topics with modern philosophy, culture in his lectures, he impressively proves the actuality of Judaism in our times. Everyone who I know left his lectures not only more knowledgeable, but also inspired to learn more about the topic. It’s the first time I see Jewish lectures becoming popular among young people."

Fillip Piatov, Journalist, Berlin
"Thank you so much for the great Shabbat experience! It’s really important that you keep on doing this as this is a unique format in Berlin. I enjoyed your Shiur as it combined rabbinical voices and modern Jewish voices at the same time. The people that you have gathered…came from all sorts of different Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds which made the discussion even more interesting. You created a really warm atmosphere…which made it easy to connect and mingle. There was a feeling of community as everyone was able to contribute to the Shabbat by participating in the Shiur…SHIUR is a great initiative that represents modern Jewish life; it’s traditional but leaves space for everyone’s own relationship to Judaism. Looking forward for the next SHIUR!"

Dana Alper, Lawyer, Berlin
"As a non religious Jew who lives her Judaism and Jewish identity through reflection and discussion, SHIUR is a wonderful place to…discuss, debate, build bridges between ideas, concepts and texts. Texts originating from the Talmud, the fields of sociology, philosophy and psychology. Brought to life by being cross-referenced and discussed by individuals gathered to share knowledge and thoughts. Questions are raised, minds are open. I look forward to more such events."

Elizabeth Yardeni, Performing Arts Producer, Paris

We’ve partnered with a diverse set of organizations

our programming

We engage in contemporary questions and topics, across different disciplines, through specially curated text based discourse and interdisciplinary experiences.

We do this through specially curated live events and retreats, and original digital content.

digital content

Read the newsletter where we critically explore the intersection between theory, text, culture, art, cinema, spirituality, and more.

events & Retreats

Join us at one of our live or digital events where disciplines and experiences intersect in innovative and often unprecedented ways.

partner with shiur

Bring SHIUR to your organization, festival, retreat, or event. We offer SHIUR Shabbat and Havdalah experiences, text based discourse workshops, and more–that directly address the themes relevant to your programming through our text and ritual based programming.

interdisciplinary discourse

We facilitate global change through interdisciplinary discourse organized along thematic elements.

female artists

In the Jewish mystical tradition (Kabbalah), there is an ancient tradition, known as “Uplifting the Sparks”-- where hidden sparks of light are concealed in darkness, and each individual’s task is to uplift these hidden sparks…

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POLITICAL REFUGEES IN EXILE

We collaborate with refugee political and cultural leaders in Europe and other parts of the world to create a productive discourse and practice that can enact transformative change amongst exiled artists and activists….

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israel

SHIUR has active programming and diverse volunteer efforts in Israel, Europe, and North America pertaining to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel following the October 7, 2023 massacre…

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shiur newsletter

The SHIUR newsletter by SHIUR founder Micki Weinberg critically explores the intersection between theory, text, culture, art, cinema, spiritually, and more–drawing on traditional Jewish interpretive methods applied in new ways. The newsletter is explored in a virtual SHIUR with guest speakers and participants zooming in from around the world in digital transglobal discourse and idea exchange.

Read past newsletter editions

what is shiur?

EVERYTHING offers a gate to consciousness, the task is how to reveal and work with what we’ve been gifted or cursed with. The word shiur in Hebrew can mean “text based lesson” or “measurement” and is related to the Hebrew word sha’ar or “gate.” We like the multiplicity of connotations that SHIUR has, and we’re also measuring, assessing, entering gates, and reconfiguring how we interpret our world.

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