Politics and Dissidence

Led by

David Ponet

About

What does it mean to speak truth to power? What is the relationship between freedom and dissidence? We live in a screen-based world beset by climate change, disinformation, social isolation, and rising oligarchy. In this context it behooves us to probe the relationship between freedom and dissidence. This chevruta will explore how individuals can express truths, or offer voices of dissent - sometimes against overwhelming forces of oppression. The textual basis will include Arendt's "Truth and Politics," Vaclav Havel's "The Power of the Powerless," and the Book of Job.

Dates

Mondays (2.10, 2.24, 3.3 3.17) @ 8 PM

Sign Up

Women Of The Bible

Led by

Elana Ponet

About

Existential challenges continue … Planning to further our learning about creative, courageous responses of Biblical, Talmudic, contemporary Jewish women figures through the lens of ancient and modern Midrash (Imaginative Investigation of Jewish text long used by commentators that make texts more relevant to our current moment, recognizing that we are part of the continuing chain). See our group supporting one another’s search and realization of new possibilities/expanded visions which can feed Hope and POSITIVE ACTIONS.

Dates

Wednesdays (2.5, 2.26, 3.12, 4.2) @ 7:30 PM

Sign Up

Kabbalah & Healing

Led by

Jeff Casper

About

This Chevrutah looks to offer an embodied sense of the healing potential of Kabbalah.  We'll review some of the key concepts that Rabbi Abby introduced last year, guided by writings from Torah, the Sefer Yetzirah, the Zohar, the Ari, and more modern interpreters like Aryeh Kablan and Jason Shulman.  Through discussion and practice, we'll experiment with how these apparent metaphors actually live in our own hearts, minds, and bodies, what they have to teach us about both healing and suffering, and how they might guide us towards Wholeness.  

Dates

Tuesdays (3.25, 4.1, 4.8) @ 7:30 PM

Sign Up

Meditation: An Introduction

Led by

Michael Posnick

About

Led by Michael Posnick, meditation opens the way to greater awareness, to living in the present with greater clarity and freedom. Seeing things as they are allows us to accept what is and to act according to need. Meditation is a means of self -discovery and wholehearted participation in the divine play of creation. 

Useful preparation: Jack Kornfield's Meditation for Beginners

Dates

Wednesdays @ 8:45-10:00 AM

Email Michael to Join.

Torah Byte

Led by

Rabbi Misha Shulman

About

"A weekly midday Torah study in which we can take a break from our nonsense and look at the weekly Torah portion and related ideas. This year we will be looking at the Haftarah of each parsha to see what the prophets have to say to us. I'd love to learn with you!"
-Rabbi Misha.

*Join the Simchat Torah Challenge, where UJA are building a community of Jews who are pledging to read the weekly Torah portion. 

Dates

Thursdays @ noon

Sign Up