THE ASSEMBLY — BEFORE YOU JOIN Advance program prospectus · 10 October 2026 https://assembly.rest/before-you-join.html Read freely. Hosted programs have individual readiness states; this is not registration. References to THE ALMIGHTY are treated with respect. HEBREW: READ, UNDERSTAND, CONVERSE For whom: Beginners, families and readers of scripture. Biblical reading and modern conversation will be identified as distinct learning goals. The planned experience: The planned free pathway starts with letters, vowel signs and careful sound practice, then moves through roots, sentence patterns, guided Torah passages and useful everyday conversation. Expect short practice sessions between lessons and a gradual increase in independent reading. Your tradition and prior language experience can inform your questions; neither is a condition of entry. Prepare now: Try copying three letters from the introduction, identify a repeated word in a passage, and write what you want to understand without depending on a translation. Read: https://assembly.rest/language-hebrew.html Questions: Which goal matters most to you: scripture, conversation or both? What pronunciation tradition would you like explained? What would help you practice consistently? Current availability: Three introductory lessons are available. The complete course, reviewed audio and any hosted cohort are in preparation. GE’EZ: AN ENTRANCE TO CLASSICAL READING For whom: Curious beginners and readers interested in Ethiopian textual and liturgical traditions. The planned experience: The planned free course introduces the Ethiopic writing system, reading practice, foundational grammar and guided passages. It will emphasize classical textual comprehension. Assembly commentary, translation choices and explanations from religious traditions will be visibly identified so a learner can compare them responsibly. Prepare now: Begin with the writing-system introduction. In the Enoch reader, note the edition used and ask what a translation lets you see and what it may leave unresolved. Keep script practice and interpretation questions on separate lines in your notes. Read: https://assembly.rest/language-geez.html Questions: What draws you to this language? Are you seeking manuscript reading, liturgical context or Enoch study? Which questions need a competent reader or tradition-specific teacher? Current availability: Introductory lessons and Enoch study material are available. Full lessons, reviewed pronunciation and expert-led sessions are in preparation. AMHARIC: LANGUAGE, FAMILY AND EVERYDAY CONNECTION For whom: Beginners, families and people seeking respectful practical conversation. The planned experience: The free pathway is planned around script, sound distinctions, greetings, family vocabulary, everyday exchanges and listening. Reading and speaking exercises will build together. Cultural notes will identify their sources and acknowledge that one lesson cannot represent every household or community. Prepare now: Use the introduction to make a personal vocabulary list for greeting a guest and introducing your family. Practice recognizing the script before trying to memorize a long phrase. Read: https://assembly.rest/language-amharic.html Questions: Who would you like to speak with? Which everyday situations should lessons cover? What listening support or accessible format would help you? Current availability: Introductory lessons are available. The complete course and reviewed listening material are in preparation. LADINO: HERITAGE, READING AND CONVERSATION For whom: Beginners and people interested in Judeo-Spanish language and Sephardic heritage. The planned experience: The planned free course introduces pronunciation, useful expressions, reading and writing systems, then develops guided cultural and historical reading. Songs and oral histories are part of the intended program when permissions and appropriate context are established. The course will make its chosen spelling conventions explicit. Prepare now: Read the introduction, list the expressions you want to learn, and identify what you already know from another language without assuming every similar word has the same meaning. Read: https://assembly.rest/language-ladino.html Questions: Are you interested in family heritage, conversation or literature? Which writing system would you like to explore? What story or question would you bring to a reading circle? Current availability: Introductory lessons are available. Full lessons, reviewed audio and licensed media are in preparation. YIDDISH: LETTERS, DAILY LIFE AND LITERATURE For whom: Beginners, families and readers interested in language and Ashkenazi heritage. The planned experience: The planned free sequence moves from letters and sounds to everyday phrases, short readings and guided literary or historical passages. Lessons will name spelling and pronunciation choices. Heritage questions are welcome; personal identity or religious affiliation will not be an enrollment requirement. Prepare now: Start with the alphabet introduction and choose a small set of words to recognize reliably. Write one question about a text or expression you want to understand in context. Read: https://assembly.rest/language-yiddish.html Questions: What would you like to read or say? What experience do you have with the script? Which differences in pronunciation or usage would you like a teacher to explain? Current availability: Introductory lessons are available. The complete course, reviewed audio and hosted classes are in preparation. SACRED TEXTS, DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AND CAREFUL INTERPRETATION For whom: Readers of every experience level, including visitors who are questioning or unfamiliar with religious study. The planned experience: The program includes Torah with Rashi and Rambam references, Bible study, Qur’anic literacy, Enoch, Mishnah and Talmud, Kabbalah, the Dead Sea Scrolls and related literature. A session will say whether it offers instruction within a tradition, comparative study or Assembly commentary. Readings will identify editions, translators and sources. Participants can ask what a passage means without being required to adopt an interpretation. Prepare now: Begin with the shared reading method: identify a passage and edition; read it; name the commentator; distinguish evidence from inference; record a genuine disagreement; formulate one question you can support with a reference. Read: https://assembly.rest/texts.html Questions: Which passage raises your question? Is your question about language, history, theology or practice? Whose interpretation are you examining? What evidence could change your understanding? Current availability: Reading-room introductions, founding essays and Enoch installments are available. Expanded courses, integrated editions and expert-led sessions are in preparation. DISCUSSION ROOMS: READ → LISTEN → EXAMINE → ACT For whom: Visitors ready to discuss seriously, listen carefully and contribute without demanding agreement. The planned experience: Ten rooms are prepared around hospitality, scripture, questions of faith, fathers and families, men’s fellowship, mothers and families, justice and mercy, civic conscience, evidence and service. The intended format begins with a reading, gives each person space to speak, examines differences and ends with one voluntary useful action. Future public rooms will name their facilitators, posting rules, reporting route and appeal process. Prepare now: Choose an existing discussion guide. Write a fair summary of a position you disagree with, one source-supported question, and one practical action that would benefit someone outside the discussion. Read: https://assembly.rest/commons.html Questions: What question do you want a room to examine? What makes a discussion welcoming to you? Can you disagree without attributing motives? Would you prefer listening first or a facilitated speaking turn? Current availability: Discussion guides are available now. Hosted public posting and facilitated sessions are in preparation; no live forum enrollment is open. THE TABLE AND SATURDAY SHORESIDE SERVICE For whom: Neighbors, families and guests interested in hospitality, fellowship and cooperative service. The planned experience: The Table is planned as a shared meal followed by a source-based conversation and a voluntary service commitment. Saturday Shoreside Service is the lakeside vision: a snack or meal, fellowship and clearly described prayer, reflection or teaching. Each invitation will name the religious format so guests can decide freely which elements to join. Dietary arrangements will be stated specifically; a meal will not be called kosher or halal without the corresponding arrangements. Prepare now: Read the Table format and the hospitality essay. Consider Genesis 18:1–8 through the linked study guide. Prepare an introduction that tells a guest what to expect and leaves room for a respectful decline. Read: https://assembly.rest/table.html Questions: What would help you feel welcome? What accessibility, seating or dietary information do you need before deciding? Which topic would you bring? Would you prefer an off-camera space? Current availability: Gathering formats and preparation literature are available. Dates, approved venues, hosts and registration will be announced when confirmed. This preview is not an event ticket. THE TENT, FAMILY STEWARDSHIP AND ASSEMBLY ABRAHIM For whom: Families and elders seeking practical fellowship; Assembly Abrahim is a conservative men’s fellowship for faith, fatherhood, compassion, accountability and service. The planned experience: The planned family rhythm combines shared meals, intergenerational learning, parent mentoring, recreation and practical mutual support. Assembly Abrahim gives its intended audience a clear place to discuss conviction and responsibility. Each gathering will state its audience. Children’s supervision arrangements and the responsibilities of parents and hosts will be published before attendance opens. Prepare now: Use the Tent practices to hold a family check-in: name one joy, one difficulty, one responsibility and one realistic act of care for the coming week. Read the fatherhood essay before discussing leadership and stewardship. Read: https://assembly.rest/tent.html Questions: What support can your family sustainably give and receive? What should a fatherhood discussion address? What supervision and privacy expectations would you need before attending? Current availability: Family practices and a fatherhood study guide are available. Hosted mentoring, fellowship and recreation gatherings are in preparation; ongoing care services are not currently offered. AROUND THE TABLE AND THE ORIGINAL SERIES For whom: Readers, writers, interview guests, researchers and people who want to contribute community stories. The planned experience: Around the Table is the planned quarterly journal in digital and print-on-demand editions. Its nine departments connect scripture, history, family, civic responsibility, language and service. Five series are planned: At Abraham’s Table, Before the Argument, The Ancient Library, Fathers of the Assembly and One Useful Thing. Invitations will describe editorial scope, consent, source requirements and the status of publication or production. Prepare now: Read the founding editorial and an essay that interests you. Sketch a contribution with a clear question, intended reader, sources, what it adds and any permissions needed. Community stories should respect the people whose lives they describe. Read: https://assembly.rest/press-founding-editorial.html Questions: What topic deserves a sustained conversation? Are you interested as a reader, writer or guest? What expertise or lived experience can you responsibly describe? What needs permission before publication? Current availability: The founding editorial and eight essays are available. Issue One, contributor intake, filmed series and print fulfillment are in preparation. No publication acceptance or print order is promised here. THE RESEARCH PROGRAM AND LIVING RECORD For whom: Readers who want to follow a question across sources, discussion, learning and practical action. The planned experience: Twelve collections organize the 48-topic research program. Future publications will follow the common editorial structure: question, primary sources, language, history, interpretations, academic evidence, disagreements, Assembly commentary, discussion questions and revision history. The Living Record is intended to connect approved public work over time while protecting private conversations and family circumstances. Prepare now: Choose a collection in the Library, read an available essay and use the Living Record worksheet to record its question, sources and possible action. A topic in the research queue is an invitation to inquiry, not proof that a finished article exists. Read: https://assembly.rest/library.html Questions: What question is missing? Which source should an author examine? Where is an interpretation uncertain? What would count as a useful, observable community outcome? Current availability: Eight founding essays, twelve collection outlines and a local Living Record worksheet are available. Further research and the shared institutional archive are in preparation. VOLUNTEERING, LOCAL CHAPTERS AND SERVICE For whom: People who can offer reliable time, practical skills, facilitation, translation, scholarship or hospitality. The planned experience: The intended participation pathways include hosting, editorial review, language review, accessible materials, chapter development and practical service. Role invitations will state duties, supervision, expected commitment and any screening appropriate to the work. A local chapter will need named leadership and published standards before representing The Assembly. Prepare now: Read the participation covenant and safeguarding expectations. Identify one useful contribution you can sustain and the support you would need. Consider a modest first project with a clear scope and a way to confirm its outcome. Read: https://assembly.rest/participation.html Questions: What responsibility could you carry consistently? What training or support would you need? Which local need could a small group responsibly address? How would you protect the privacy of people receiving help? Current availability: Role descriptions and chapter standards are in preparation. A monitored volunteer or chapter application channel has not yet been announced. MY ASSEMBLY: A FUTURE PERSONAL LEARNING SPACE For whom: Readers who want to organize learning and choose their level of participation. The planned experience: The planned optional account will connect course progress, selected reading, event participation and chosen updates. Public reading and free study will remain available without an account. Visitors should receive a clear explanation of what is collected, who can access it, how it can be removed and which notifications are optional before accounts open. Prepare now: Try the available reading checklist and decide what information you would want a future learning space to remember. Keep private family, medical and case details out of study notes. Read: https://assembly.rest/my-assembly.html Questions: Would a simple checklist meet your needs? What would make an account useful? Which reminders would you choose? What information would you expect to remain private or be removable? Current availability: The opt-in reading checklist works on your device. Shared accounts and synchronized profiles are in preparation; account registration is not open. MY QUESTION WORKSHEET Program or passage: What I understand: My precise question: Reading or source reference: What would help me decide: Accessibility or participation needs I choose to raise: Current question channel: not yet announced. This file stays with you and is not submitted. Follow https://assembly.rest/before-you-join.html for published updates.