For information about the Shabbaton with Rabbi Moshe Aharon Krassen, Click Here!

Living Judaism with Brian Schachter-Brooks
Names of God with Rabbi Steven Fisdel
Dance Midrash with Miriam Peretz
Drawing From the Well with Estelle Frankel
Standing Together Again at Sinai with Laura Goldman
Third Meal Rebbe's Tisch with Rabbi SaraLeya Schley
Ongoing meditation classes with Brian and Jeffrey
Tai-Chi Meditation and Chi-Gung with Jeffrey Kessler

Torah of Awakening : Living Judaism with Brian Schachter-Brooks

In the art of music, practiced technique and spontaneous musicality are brought together. In poetry, creativity is expressed through a command of language. Similarly, Judaism is a spiritual art in which the practice of forms is aimed at awakening the fire of the soul. The Jewish spiritual journey is the process by which one comes to know for oneself what this actually means and to transform  into an eved HaShem – a servant of the Divine.

Whether you are new to Judaism or returning, this six week program will give you boots in which to walk the path of the Covenant. Each three hour workshop will focus on a putting a particular aspect of Jewish spiritual practice into action. This class includes Beginner's Hebrew and Jewish Meditation. If your Hebrew reading is good, you may wish to skip the Hebrew section and come at 7:15.

Please bring notebook, pencil, The First Hebrew Primer, and Ivdu Et Hashem B'simcha (Jewish Renewal siddur) available at Afikomen on Claremont. This program is also recommended for those seeking preparation for an adult bat or bar mitzvah and those considering conversion.

Time : 6 Sundays 6:30- 9 pm
October 26th, November 2nd, November  9th November 16th, December 7th, December 14th
Price: $195 nonmember/ $150 member

The following two classes are part of the Living Judaism class. If desired, they can be taken separately.

Beginner's Hebrew

Hebrew is more than a language. It is a world of sound and shape which expresses the spiritual insight of Judaism. This class will get you started by learning and practicing all the letters and vowels, as well as beginning to delve into the language itself. Please join us for either this class alone or for the longer Living Judaism class of which this is part. Please bring notebook, pencil and The First Hebrew Primer, available at Afikomen on Claremont.

Time : 6 Sundays 6:30- 7:10 pm
October 26th, November 2nd, November  9th November 16th, December 7th, December 14th
Price: $100 nonmember/ $75 member

Jewish Meditation:
The Sh'ma in Six Directions

The Sh'ma is the centerpiece of Jewish prayer. On the surface, it appears to be a declaration of monotheism. A deeper reading, however, reveals that it is a call to awakening the realization of the Unity of all Being, which is also the goal of meditation. Not surprisingly, the chanting of the Sh'ma has given birth to many forms of authentic Jewish meditation over the centuries. In this class, we will learn a series of kavanot—intentions and visualizations—which are based on several of these authentic Jewish sources. Participants will come away with a complete meditational practice which can be used daily to support and deepen the awakening process. Please join us for either this class alone or for the longer Living Judaism class of which this is part.

Time : 6 Sundays 7:15- 8 pm
October 26th, November 2nd, November 9th November 16th, December 7th, December 14th
Price: $100 nonmember/ $75 member

Experiencing The Names of God with Kabbalah teacher Rabbi Steven Fisdel

Have you struggled with archaic translations of biblical material and traditional prayers? The Kabbalah offers a solution. In this class Rabbi Steven Fisdel (www.classicalkabbalist.org)  
will provide you with tools and information to engage with the Holy Name: to know the traditional names for God, what they actually represent and how to engage with them is to free ourselves to choose a workable definition and to establish a relevant relationship with the Divine.

Rabbi Fisdel is one of the leading experts in the field of Kabbalah and is author of two books, The Practice of Kabbalah and The Dead Sea Scrolls:Understanding Their Spiritual Message. His objective in teaching, writing and counseling is to help people in today's world to understand clearly and experience directly the positive impact that the Kabbalah has on spiritual development by deepening connection to self and to the Divine.  /

Time: Tuesdays 7-9 pm October 28th, November 4, 11, 18th
Cost: $90 members/ $115 non members

Connect, Dance, Pray: Exploring Jewish Sacred Dance with Miriam Peretz

Sacred dance was an integral part of Temple worship in ancient Israel, and has always been an important part of Jewish life.  Through Israel’s extended exile many of these ancient and sacred dance traditions have been lost and forgotten.  In dance midrash we will search to rediscover and recreate sacred Jewish dance traditions, bringing dance back into religious worship.  We will also find ways to deepen our understanding of biblical stories, Jewish rituals, prayers, and holidays through movement in solo and in connection with others.  The class will also introduce students to movement vocabulary borrowed from numerous ethnic dance traditions from the Middle-East, the Silk Road, Yemen and beyond.

6 sessions:   Thursdays 7:30 – 9 pm October, 23,30 November 6,13,20 and December 4
Location: Chochmat HaLev 2215 Prince Street, Berkeley,  Berkeley

Tuition:
Series: $105 nonmembers, or $90 members
Per class: $20 nonmembers, or $15 members 

Preregistration encouraged by October 17th : Minimum 10 people required

Drawing from the Well: A Jewish Spiritual Guidance Group with Estelle Frankel

In Jewish legend and in many spiritual traditions, the “well,” (Be’er, in Hebrew), is a symbol of the infinite and inexhaustible Source of all Being—the Ein Sof.  The Torah and the soul are likened to a well of living waters (be’er mayim chayim)—an ever-flowing spring of unfathomable depths.  And though this nourishing well is available to all of us at all times, access often feels blocked, especially when our lives become too busy and over-programmed. 

This group will provide a safe and supportive space for seekers who long to share their spiritual journeys with an intimate circle of friends.  Monthly gatherings will include meditation, chant, contemplative Torah study and time for exploring and sharing how God is moving through our lives. 

Group will meet on 2nd or 3rd Sunday evening of the month from 6:45-9:00 pm
Fee:  $250 (members) $300 (nonmembers)
Limited to 12 participants.

For additional info and to arrange for an interview call:  Estelle Frankel 510.525.2105

Estelle Frankel is a practicing psychotherapist,and spiritual teacher who blends the healing wisdom and practices of the Kabbalah with depth psychology.  She is an ordained Rabbinic Pastor (Mashpiah-Maggidah) and is the author of Sacred Therapy:  Jewish Spiritual Teachings on Emotional Healing & Inner Wholeness.

Standing Together Again at Sinai: A Beginning Jewish Spiritual Direction Group with Laura Goldman

Our tradition teaches us that we were all present for the Revelation at Sinai, and further, that Revelation is a continuous process, available at any moment. Perhaps you have felt a spark of the Sacred, have brushed up against the Mystery, and wish to deepen this experience. Perhaps you live with a sense of God’s Presence, and long to find a way to talk about it. Perhaps your heart yearns to feel a connection to Holiness, and yet you have not found an entry.

This group is for those who are interested in beginning an exploration of their spiritual lives with others on a similar path. We will support each other as we deepen our abilities to listen with our hearts and discover our unique response to the eternal Revelation. Through the use of meditation, prayer, silence, and words, we will create a spiritual community of safety and interconnection.

Dates: Wednesday nights, 7 to 9 pm: 11/12, 12/10, 1/14, 2/11, 3/11, 4/15, 5/13, 6/03.
Fee: $300 general public/$250 CHL members
For additional info, and to arrange for an interview, please contact Laura Goldman at (510) 528-1835.

Laura Goldman is a practicing psychotherapist and spiritual director. She is a teacher of Jewish meditation and leader of contemplative worship at Chochmat HaLev.

Third Meal Text Study with Rabbi SaraLeya Schley
First and Fourth Saturday afternoons, time varies: see the calendar.
Free (Donations welcomed.)
We will share a light Third Meal (potluck vegetarian finger food please) while studying texts that will guide us on our soul journey of self-reflection and self-development. When 3 stars are visible, we will make Havdallah with wine, spices and candlelight.


Introduction to Jewish Meditation
with Brian Schachter-Brooks
4th Monday of each month, 7pm
Free (Donations welcomed.)

The Jewish tradition is rich with images of communion with the Divine. These images to point to a deeper Reality--not to events that happened a long time ago or those we hope will happen in the future—but to the oneness of Being in the here and now. The key to this communion is meditation, or hitbodedut.

Join Brian Schachter-Brooks and the Chochmat HaLev musicians for an informative and experiential introduction to Jewish Meditation. This seminar will provide an overview of hitbodedut, chanting, silent meditation, and a question & answer session. Perect for those new to or curious about Jewish meditation.

Tai-Chi Meditation and Chi-Gung
with Jeffrey Kessler
Thursdays, on-going, at 5 pm
Fee per month: $50 members, $70 non-members

Develop inner strength, balance, and better health with Jeffrey Kessler, a seasoned practioner of chi arts. Jeffrey Kessler holds degrees in philosophy, mathematics and spiritual psychology. He is a long-time practitioner and teacher of Tai-Chi Chuan. A graduate of Chochmat HaLev's Jewish Meditation Instructor's Training program and a student of various traditions and psycho-physical systems, he is dedicated to the deepening of Jewish Spiritual practice.