UnYeshiva Certificate Program Graduates Present
Capstone Projects
In order to complete the UnYeshiva Certificate Program in Unbound Judaism, each student creates a Capstone Project: a unique expression of their avodah, their holy work in the world. Each capstone combines a student’s personal passion and Torah with connection to a broader Unbound Jewish world, making an impact in Jewish communities across the diaspora. Read below about the incredible projects our students have completed.
Attend our very first UnYeshiva Certificate Program Graduation!
Come celebrate the first ever graduates of the UnYeshiva's certificate program in Unbound Judaism on Sunday, August 24th at 3pm ET. Our graduates Emmett H, Lisa Heineman, and James Branum have spent 2 years immersed in deep learning and unlearning -- they've taken a wide variety of courses, participated in monthly gatherings, created remarkable capstone projects, and are now ready to be officially recognized as embodiments of Unbound Judaism. Receive some of their Torah, offer them the huge kol hakavods/mazal tovs (congratulations) that they have earned, and catch a glimpse of a new Jewish leadership role that -- in coming years -- will see many more wonderful folks joining these initial three exemplars.
The Capstone Projects
Golems for Trans Youth
Like many other trans and nonbinary folks, Emmett H has felt a lot of fear and insecurity recently. For their capstone project, they wanted to help other trans and nonbinary Jews, especially young people, cope with these feelings. By creating their own sewing pattern, Emmett sewed a minyan of golem plushes in bright colors and soft fabrics, sending these plushies to trans and nonbinary youth. Emmett spent time researching the history of the golem legend in Jewish texts, and created a midrashic zine to accompany each golem, celebrating this project at their capstone siyyum “Golempalooza” on June 29th, 2025. Their capstone was inspired by Golem projects like Ketzirah haMa’agelet at Devotaj Sacred Arts and TherapyGolems. You can learn more about their project, the folkore of golems & order a Golem for trans and non-binary youth in your life here.
Capstone by Emmett H.
Exploring Jewish Conscientious Objection
Capstone by James M. Branum
Combining his experience as a defense attorney and knowledge of military law, James Branum has created a curriculum about Jewish Conscientious Objection, culminating in a day-long hybrid seminar entitled “Exploring Jewish Conscientious Objection: Past, Present and Future” on August 10, 2025. With James as their guide, participants across ages explored the history, theology, and ethics of Jewish abstention from wartime drafts. James brought together several organizations into this three-part capstone seminar, including the Jewish CO Project, the Spinoza Havurah, and the Joy Mennonite Church of Oklahoma City. You can watch the recorded seminar here, learn more about the Jewish CO Project, and reach out to James to learn more about using his curriculum with youth or adults for synagogue or interfaith education.
Dreaming in Jewish
Capstone by Lisa Heineman
Inspired by Benay Lappe’s Crash Theory, Unbound philosophies for the Jewish future, and her teaching experience as a professor, Lisa Heineman created a daylong retreat for her community members exploring a central question: what happens when old systems crash, when the world as we know it is no longer sustainable? Using Judaism’s history as a framework for crashes and reinventions that draw on ancient tradition and wisdom, Lisa led “Dreaming in Jewish” on February 23rd, 2025 at the Sacred Collective in Iowa City for people who were “Jewish, Jew-ish, Jew-Curious, or Just Plain Human.” She intends to recreate this event in a variety of venues across physical and digital space. You can reach out to Lisa to learn more about bringing “Dreaming in Jewish” to a community near you.
