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Calendar

February 2025

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26
27
A Kundalini Experience: Moving from Fear to Love
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Monday Night Meditation
7:00 pm
28
Tikkun Ha’Middot
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
THE SPIRIT OF INTEGRITY: A COURSE FOR LIVING A JEWISH ETHICAL LIFE   “You shall be holy because I, your Infinite Source, am holy.”                 — Leviticus 9:1 The commandment to be holy is an invitation to fully embody our divine nature–to become our best selves. This lofty aspiration is supported by the ancient Jewish practice of Tikkun ha’Middot–refining our character through the cultivation of virtues such as: gratitude, humility, generosity, patience, honesty, awe and holy speech. By strengthening and balancing these middot (character traits) the natural radiance of our souls can shine through. In this study group, we will explore ancient and contemporary Jewish wisdom teachings, along with insights from the world’s great faith traditions, that guide us into the core ethics of our tradition. Each session will focus on a single trait through text study, storytelling, chanting, simple movement and meditation practices. If interested, those who attend this series may decide to continue meeting with the guidance of a teacher as an ongoing study group to form a unique community of practice. Facilitators:  Estelle Frankel and Jeffrey Kessler Open to all — no prior experience needed. 8 Sessions, Tuesday evenings — Sessions will be in the sanctuary on: January 28 February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 *The first and last class will include both teachers and will meet from 7 – 9 pm; all other sessions will meet from 7 – 8:30 pm. Cost and Commitment:  Sliding scale:  $150-300 for CHL members; $200-$350 for non-members. No one turned away for lack of funds. Register Here Estelle Frankel, MFT, is a practicing psychotherapist, author, spiritual director and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism and musar. She is a popular public speaker who has taught courses on the intersection of Judaism, spirituality and healing…

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29
Meditation of Presence
8:15 am
with Jeffrey KesslerWednesdays  |  8:15 – 9amBy Donation  |  On Zoom  Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » Torah is our technology for encountering the Divine Presence. Silence provides a necessary space for that encounter. According to Jewish tradition, the Presence dwells continually within and around us, but we must learn deep listening to receive its generative wisdom. Shemah – in a word that sounds like an exhalation of breath,  we are directed to listen in order to understand the Divine Oneness. We are to open to this Oneness with all of our heart, our soul, our strength. We must listen to our bodies, our emotions, our thoughts, all that is deep within us. Join us as we sit together in silence, after a brief teaching on meditation practice in connection either with the weekly Torah portion or where we find ourselves in the Jewish sacred calendar. About Jeffrey KesslerA graduate of Chochmat HaLev’s first Jewish Meditation Teacher Training Program, Jeffrey has studied many spiritual traditions. With degrees in philosophy, mathematics and spiritual psychology, Jeffrey has spent his life exploring the many creative disciplines of staying open in order to connect with the Nameless One. He sees Meditation and Mussar practice as key to the renewal of Jewish spirituality. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Every contribution, large or small, allows us to keep bringing you meditation, services, and much more. • Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOJoin with video  https://zoom.us/j/520703203?pwd=RnJNRittSkZNcnkxNm03WGxvcFgyQT09 Join by phone  1-669-900-6833, 1-346-248-7799, 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 520 703 203Passcode: 062729 , …
30
31
The Queen’s Table: An Evening of Mystical Delight
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
1
Torah Study
9:30 am
Parashat Bo! With Melilah
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Parashat Bo! With MelilaSaturday Feb 1 at 4:30pm – 6:30pm Bo! Come feed your second Shabbat soul by gathering together to spend the last few hours of this special Shabbat, partaking in the kind of social / spiritual / textual study that animates our lineage, Go Deeper with beloved friend of Chochmat and leading teacher-explorer of our mystical texts, Dr. Melila Hellner Eshed. Your soul will appreciate this opportunity to intimately explore this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Bo. The Hebrew word bo can be understood to mean “come” as in Moses comes before Pharoah (or well-raised Hebrew-speaking canines “come” to their humans). It can also mean “to enter into,” as in Moses entering into Pharoah’s presence or our Second Soul ‘enters into” (and then departs ) each of us every Shabbat. In the Zohar, a foundational work of Kabbalistic literature, the Rabbis often signal a new discourse with the words: “Rabbi Shim’on opens.” A continually renewed invitation to re-open ourselves to a text by “turning” it, “seeking from” it, subjecting it to the collaborative consideration of those sitting next to you. Share in the splendor of Jewish mystical study as Dr. Eshed opens for us this part of the familiar Exodus story and explores the spiritual nature of evil. Stay for Havdalah with the whole community – the embodied ritual will flow seamlessly from the deep learning. Havdalah, the Jewish ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat and the start of a new week, is Hebrew word for “separation”. Separating from the sacred time of Shabbat as we relinquish the “second soul” offered to each of us by The Holy One on Friday night and reorient to the 6 generative days ahead. Braided candle, spice box, wine, blessings, singing and more. Register Volunteers needed! Dr. Melila Hellner-Eshed is a teacher of…

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2
3
A Kundalini Experience: Moving from Fear to Love
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Monday Night Meditation
7:00 pm
4
Tikkun Ha’Middot
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
THE SPIRIT OF INTEGRITY: A COURSE FOR LIVING A JEWISH ETHICAL LIFE   “You shall be holy because I, your Infinite Source, am holy.”                 — Leviticus 9:1 The commandment to be holy is an invitation to fully embody our divine nature–to become our best selves. This lofty aspiration is supported by the ancient Jewish practice of Tikkun ha’Middot–refining our character through the cultivation of virtues such as: gratitude, humility, generosity, patience, honesty, awe and holy speech. By strengthening and balancing these middot (character traits) the natural radiance of our souls can shine through. In this study group, we will explore ancient and contemporary Jewish wisdom teachings, along with insights from the world’s great faith traditions, that guide us into the core ethics of our tradition. Each session will focus on a single trait through text study, storytelling, chanting, simple movement and meditation practices. If interested, those who attend this series may decide to continue meeting with the guidance of a teacher as an ongoing study group to form a unique community of practice. Facilitators:  Estelle Frankel and Jeffrey Kessler Open to all — no prior experience needed. 8 Sessions, Tuesday evenings — Sessions will be in the sanctuary on: January 28 February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 *The first and last class will include both teachers and will meet from 7 – 9 pm; all other sessions will meet from 7 – 8:30 pm. Cost and Commitment:  Sliding scale:  $150-300 for CHL members; $200-$350 for non-members. No one turned away for lack of funds. Register Here Estelle Frankel, MFT, is a practicing psychotherapist, author, spiritual director and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism and musar. She is a popular public speaker who has taught courses on the intersection of Judaism, spirituality and healing…

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5
Meditation of Presence
8:15 am
with Jeffrey KesslerWednesdays  |  8:15 – 9amBy Donation  |  On Zoom  Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » Torah is our technology for encountering the Divine Presence. Silence provides a necessary space for that encounter. According to Jewish tradition, the Presence dwells continually within and around us, but we must learn deep listening to receive its generative wisdom. Shemah – in a word that sounds like an exhalation of breath,  we are directed to listen in order to understand the Divine Oneness. We are to open to this Oneness with all of our heart, our soul, our strength. We must listen to our bodies, our emotions, our thoughts, all that is deep within us. Join us as we sit together in silence, after a brief teaching on meditation practice in connection either with the weekly Torah portion or where we find ourselves in the Jewish sacred calendar. About Jeffrey KesslerA graduate of Chochmat HaLev’s first Jewish Meditation Teacher Training Program, Jeffrey has studied many spiritual traditions. With degrees in philosophy, mathematics and spiritual psychology, Jeffrey has spent his life exploring the many creative disciplines of staying open in order to connect with the Nameless One. He sees Meditation and Mussar practice as key to the renewal of Jewish spirituality. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Every contribution, large or small, allows us to keep bringing you meditation, services, and much more. • Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOJoin with video  https://zoom.us/j/520703203?pwd=RnJNRittSkZNcnkxNm03WGxvcFgyQT09 Join by phone  1-669-900-6833, 1-346-248-7799, 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 520 703 203Passcode: 062729 , …
6
7
Kabbalat Shabbat
6:00 pm
8
Torah Study
9:30 am
9
10
Monday Night Meditation
7:00 pm
11
Tikkun Ha’Middot
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
THE SPIRIT OF INTEGRITY: A COURSE FOR LIVING A JEWISH ETHICAL LIFE   “You shall be holy because I, your Infinite Source, am holy.”                 — Leviticus 9:1 The commandment to be holy is an invitation to fully embody our divine nature–to become our best selves. This lofty aspiration is supported by the ancient Jewish practice of Tikkun ha’Middot–refining our character through the cultivation of virtues such as: gratitude, humility, generosity, patience, honesty, awe and holy speech. By strengthening and balancing these middot (character traits) the natural radiance of our souls can shine through. In this study group, we will explore ancient and contemporary Jewish wisdom teachings, along with insights from the world’s great faith traditions, that guide us into the core ethics of our tradition. Each session will focus on a single trait through text study, storytelling, chanting, simple movement and meditation practices. If interested, those who attend this series may decide to continue meeting with the guidance of a teacher as an ongoing study group to form a unique community of practice. Facilitators:  Estelle Frankel and Jeffrey Kessler Open to all — no prior experience needed. 8 Sessions, Tuesday evenings — Sessions will be in the sanctuary on: January 28 February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 *The first and last class will include both teachers and will meet from 7 – 9 pm; all other sessions will meet from 7 – 8:30 pm. Cost and Commitment:  Sliding scale:  $150-300 for CHL members; $200-$350 for non-members. No one turned away for lack of funds. Register Here Estelle Frankel, MFT, is a practicing psychotherapist, author, spiritual director and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism and musar. She is a popular public speaker who has taught courses on the intersection of Judaism, spirituality and healing…

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12
Meditation of Presence
8:15 am
with Jeffrey KesslerWednesdays  |  8:15 – 9amBy Donation  |  On Zoom  Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » Torah is our technology for encountering the Divine Presence. Silence provides a necessary space for that encounter. According to Jewish tradition, the Presence dwells continually within and around us, but we must learn deep listening to receive its generative wisdom. Shemah – in a word that sounds like an exhalation of breath,  we are directed to listen in order to understand the Divine Oneness. We are to open to this Oneness with all of our heart, our soul, our strength. We must listen to our bodies, our emotions, our thoughts, all that is deep within us. Join us as we sit together in silence, after a brief teaching on meditation practice in connection either with the weekly Torah portion or where we find ourselves in the Jewish sacred calendar. About Jeffrey KesslerA graduate of Chochmat HaLev’s first Jewish Meditation Teacher Training Program, Jeffrey has studied many spiritual traditions. With degrees in philosophy, mathematics and spiritual psychology, Jeffrey has spent his life exploring the many creative disciplines of staying open in order to connect with the Nameless One. He sees Meditation and Mussar practice as key to the renewal of Jewish spirituality. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Every contribution, large or small, allows us to keep bringing you meditation, services, and much more. • Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOJoin with video  https://zoom.us/j/520703203?pwd=RnJNRittSkZNcnkxNm03WGxvcFgyQT09 Join by phone  1-669-900-6833, 1-346-248-7799, 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 520 703 203Passcode: 062729 , …
Kiddush Levana Men’s Circle
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Experience the Power of Tradition, Connection, and Spiritual Growth The Kiddush Levana (Sanctifying the Moon) Men’s Blessing Circle is a monthly gathering that combines Jewish tradition, spiritual practice, and community building. This program is for male-identified individuals seeking a safe and meaningful space to explore personal growth, offer blessing for the new month,, and strengthen connections within the Chochmat HaLev community. What to Expect: Celebrate Tradition: Begin each session outdoors under the moonlight with a joyous Kiddush Levana ritual. Sing, dance, and honor the cycles of nature in alignment with Jewish wisdom. Engage in Inquiry and Reflection: Gather in a circle to explore the Four Worlds of Kabbalah—each session will include check-ins, intention-setting, learning, and spiritual reflection. Build Meaningful Connections: Share stories, insights, and intentions in a trusted container that fosters authentic and vulnerable conversation. Strengthen Community Bonds: Deepen your connection to the Chochmat HaLev community while engaging in transformative Jewish learning. Sessions will be led by Noah Phillips and David Steuer LOGISTICS: Where: Nicholl Knob and Noah’s nearby home in Point Richmond When:  6 Sundays, Monthly, at sunset, between the third and fifteen days of the Hebrew month (the second or first Sunday of each Gregorian month). Jan 12 (Tevet 12) Feb 9 (Shevat 11) March 9 (Adar 9) April 6 (Nisan 8) May 4 (Iyar 6) June 8 (Sivan 12) Who: Our Kiddush Levana circle is open to anyone who identifies as male as well as anyone who feels most comfortable in such a space, including those who identify as trans, non-binary, or gender expansive. A note on gender affinity spaces: Our Kiddush Levana circle is open to anyone who identifies as male as well as anyone who feels most comfortable in such a space, including those who identify as trans, non-binary, or gender expansive. Our intention is…

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13
Let’s Talk Prophets
7:00 pm
×No meeting on 9/12! Read aloud and discuss Kings 1, Chapters 21-22 and Kings 1, Chapters 1-2. Our reading concludes Eliah’s story. We will meet via Zoom. All donations appreciated! 7pm on Zoom »Meeting ID: 895 6011 5951Passcode: 573038 “Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses.” Our Torah Scroll ends with the death of Moses and the People of Israel poised to enter the Promised Land.  What a classic cliffhanger! But the story of the Jewish people continues and the book of Nevi’im, or Prophets: For those of you who love a good story, maybe even hero and anti-hero themes, you are in luck. Our readings chronicle the story of the Israelites in the promised land and the challenges they face.  It is truly amazing that the Divine One has put up with all this! Come explore these fascinating texts with us on every 2nd Thursday of the month at 7pm. The text can be found on Sefaria Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses…. Deut. 34:1″ , …
14
Exploring Wisdom of the Body through Feldenkrais
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
This class series will explore our communication with our body and help us develop a relationship of acceptance, compassion, willingness and trust with our body’s wisdom. We will discover harmony and balance between the mind and body and re-attune all aspects of our being so as to meet whatever is arising with loving awareness — As we give our awareness, our awareness heals us. The class experience is a microfield for what we express in the macrofield, so as we practice care and understanding for ourselves, we bring that to all relationships in our life. In addition, Ilana will embed some images and stories from Kabbalah, our jewish mystical tradition, which are aligned with the original teachings of the method as Feldenkrais himself was related to the Bal Shem Tov. **This series is accessible to all ages and all abilities, and the series will be molded to the specific needs of people in attendance** Please bring: a heavy blanket (no yoga mats)  pillow small towel Fridays, 10:30-12:00pm – Feb. 14th Feb. 21st Feb. 28th March 7th March 14th Cost:   FIRST CLASS IS FREE (FEB 14)If this class resonates with you, we are asking for a commitment to the remaining 4 classes in the series. Classes will be donation-Based for the remaining classes.  Suggested Donation:Members: $72 for remaining 4 sessions Non-Members: $96 for remaining 4 classes NOTAFLOF ABOUT THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD:The Feldenkrais Method® is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning. Through this Method, you can increase your ease and range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination, and rediscover your innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement. These will often generalize to enhance functioning in other aspects of your life. By expanding the self-image through movement sequences that bring attention to the parts of…

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15
Shabbat Morning Service
10:30 am
Saturday February 15, 10:30 amIn person and on Zoom Meeting ID 878 1040 4956Passcode 972073 Join Zvika Krieger and an amazing team of prayer leaders and musicians for a Shabbat morning Shacharit prayer service, full of soulful singing, ecstatic dancing, and guided meditation. Our interactive Torah experience mines the texts of our ancestral wisdom for modern meaning.   During this service we’ll lift up community members Davide Russo and Nat Gardenschwartz’s new baby, Aya Naira Russo, with a baby blessing!   We will also be celebrating the Rabbinical Ordination of our beloved community member Elisheva Hurvich!   Service will start promptly at 10:30 am — please arrive 15 minutes early to check in. No childcare available on Saturday mornings. Email shalom@chochmat.org to join our Families WhatsApp group. After Services: Enjoy a delicious kiddush lunch and schmooze with our community. Register here! HOLY WORK (Sign up to volunteer) DONATION INFO Our Shabbat services are supported by donation. Each donation, small and large, allows us to continue with this offering. Please contribute when you register, or at one of the links below:• Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @chochmat • Paypal shalom@chochmat.org Accessibility ZOOM INFOJoin with video  https://zoom.us/j/87810404956 Join by phone  1-669-900-6833, 1-346-248-7799, 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID 878 1040 4956Passcode 972073Notice: Our Zoom recordings are for archival purposes only, and therefore are not available to the public. Physical Access Entrance Entrance to the Sanctuary is at the corner of Prince St. and Fulton St.. There are 8 steps into the main entrance of the Sanctuary. There is an accessible ramp at a separate entrance on Fulton St. Please let a volunteer or staff know if you need to use this entrance; you can also email us in advance at shalom@chochmat.org Seating We have folding chairs (some with padding, some without), pillows, and floor cushions available for you to use, along with…

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16
17
Monday Night Meditation
7:00 pm
18
Tikkun Ha’Middot
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
THE SPIRIT OF INTEGRITY: A COURSE FOR LIVING A JEWISH ETHICAL LIFE   “You shall be holy because I, your Infinite Source, am holy.”                 — Leviticus 9:1 The commandment to be holy is an invitation to fully embody our divine nature–to become our best selves. This lofty aspiration is supported by the ancient Jewish practice of Tikkun ha’Middot–refining our character through the cultivation of virtues such as: gratitude, humility, generosity, patience, honesty, awe and holy speech. By strengthening and balancing these middot (character traits) the natural radiance of our souls can shine through. In this study group, we will explore ancient and contemporary Jewish wisdom teachings, along with insights from the world’s great faith traditions, that guide us into the core ethics of our tradition. Each session will focus on a single trait through text study, storytelling, chanting, simple movement and meditation practices. If interested, those who attend this series may decide to continue meeting with the guidance of a teacher as an ongoing study group to form a unique community of practice. Facilitators:  Estelle Frankel and Jeffrey Kessler Open to all — no prior experience needed. 8 Sessions, Tuesday evenings — Sessions will be in the sanctuary on: January 28 February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 *The first and last class will include both teachers and will meet from 7 – 9 pm; all other sessions will meet from 7 – 8:30 pm. Cost and Commitment:  Sliding scale:  $150-300 for CHL members; $200-$350 for non-members. No one turned away for lack of funds. Register Here Estelle Frankel, MFT, is a practicing psychotherapist, author, spiritual director and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism and musar. She is a popular public speaker who has taught courses on the intersection of Judaism, spirituality and healing…

Continue Reading , …
19
Meditation of Presence
8:15 am
with Jeffrey KesslerWednesdays  |  8:15 – 9amBy Donation  |  On Zoom  Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » Torah is our technology for encountering the Divine Presence. Silence provides a necessary space for that encounter. According to Jewish tradition, the Presence dwells continually within and around us, but we must learn deep listening to receive its generative wisdom. Shemah – in a word that sounds like an exhalation of breath,  we are directed to listen in order to understand the Divine Oneness. We are to open to this Oneness with all of our heart, our soul, our strength. We must listen to our bodies, our emotions, our thoughts, all that is deep within us. Join us as we sit together in silence, after a brief teaching on meditation practice in connection either with the weekly Torah portion or where we find ourselves in the Jewish sacred calendar. About Jeffrey KesslerA graduate of Chochmat HaLev’s first Jewish Meditation Teacher Training Program, Jeffrey has studied many spiritual traditions. With degrees in philosophy, mathematics and spiritual psychology, Jeffrey has spent his life exploring the many creative disciplines of staying open in order to connect with the Nameless One. He sees Meditation and Mussar practice as key to the renewal of Jewish spirituality. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Every contribution, large or small, allows us to keep bringing you meditation, services, and much more. • Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOJoin with video  https://zoom.us/j/520703203?pwd=RnJNRittSkZNcnkxNm03WGxvcFgyQT09 Join by phone  1-669-900-6833, 1-346-248-7799, 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 520 703 203Passcode: 062729 , …
OpenLev February 2025 – Soulful Coworking
8:45 am – 5:30 pm
OpenLev is a soulful coworking experience at Chochmat HaLev where you are invited to bring intentionality and mindfulness into how you work while connecting with other open-hearted seekers.  Join us on Wednesday,  February 19th 8:45am-5:30pm Members:  Join for free Non-Members: $18-54, suggested donation of $36.  We will come together in the beautiful well-appointed spaces of Chochmat HaLev for a day of co-working. We will be guided through opening and closing meditations to ground your work day. There will be check-ins and intention setting for help with meeting your goals, potluck lunch and discussion groups about work and meaning, options for mindfulness breaks such as breathwork, stretching, and neighborhood walks, support with spiritual needs that arise during the workday, and access to the sanctuary space for quiet contemplation throughout the day. Please see The Program Page for more information. If you have any questions, please email sophie@chochmat.org Important Details: *  Please bring food and/or beverage as needed, except for tea and coffee. Bring a potluck dish to share for lunch, and any snacks for our communal snack table. * Arrive at 8:45 AM to get started with intention-setting as a group at 9:15.  the co-working to help us optimize the experience.  * There will be limited spaces for phone calls and video conferences so please plan to keep meetings to a minimum on these days to maintain the collective experience throughout the day. * Refund policy – if you decide you can’t make it after you’ve registered, your payment will be a much-appreciated donation to Chochmat HaLev. Register Here Accessibility Physical Access: Entrance Entrance to the Sanctuary is at the corner of Prince St. and Fulton St.. There are 8 steps into the main entrance of the Sanctuary. There is an accessible ramp at a separate entrance on Fulton St. Please…

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20
21
Exploring Wisdom of the Body through Feldenkrais
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
This class series will explore our communication with our body and help us develop a relationship of acceptance, compassion, willingness and trust with our body’s wisdom. We will discover harmony and balance between the mind and body and re-attune all aspects of our being so as to meet whatever is arising with loving awareness — As we give our awareness, our awareness heals us. The class experience is a microfield for what we express in the macrofield, so as we practice care and understanding for ourselves, we bring that to all relationships in our life. In addition, Ilana will embed some images and stories from Kabbalah, our jewish mystical tradition, which are aligned with the original teachings of the method as Feldenkrais himself was related to the Bal Shem Tov. **This series is accessible to all ages and all abilities, and the series will be molded to the specific needs of people in attendance** Please bring: a heavy blanket (no yoga mats)  pillow small towel Fridays, 10:30-12:00pm – Feb. 14th Feb. 21st Feb. 28th March 7th March 14th Cost:   FIRST CLASS IS FREE (FEB 14)If this class resonates with you, we are asking for a commitment to the remaining 4 classes in the series. Classes will be donation-Based for the remaining classes.  Suggested Donation:Members: $72 for remaining 4 sessions Non-Members: $96 for remaining 4 classes NOTAFLOF ABOUT THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD:The Feldenkrais Method® is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning. Through this Method, you can increase your ease and range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination, and rediscover your innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement. These will often generalize to enhance functioning in other aspects of your life. By expanding the self-image through movement sequences that bring attention to the parts of…

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Kabbalat Shabbat
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Friday, February 21, 6:00pm  Join Chochmat HaLev for a special Peace Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming Shabbat) service with Zvika, Lior, Palestinian oud virtuoso Naser Musa and special guests, full of embodied prayer, soulful singing, ecstatic dancing, guided meditation, sharing of ancestral wisdom, and connection in intergenerational community.  Service will start promptly at 6pm — please arrive a few minutes early to check in and be seated. Join us for a potluck dinner/oneg after services, followed by a special HeartSpace circle at 8pm:  If you’re planning to attend in-person, please register in advance. If you’re planning to attend via Zoom, the link is here: https://zoom.us/j/87810404956 Click here to register! HOLY WORK – Click here to volunteer! During service Childcare is available. Please register so we know you’re coming! After service Enjoy a delicious potluck oneg.  Please bring a vegetarian dish to share and come schmooze with our beloved community!   Followed by HeartSpace at 8pm A Special Ask Zvika Anything (AZA) with our newly Ordained Rabbi!Join us for a unique opportunity to engage with Zvika Krieger, our beloved spiritual leader and newly ordained rabbi, in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. This is your chance to dive deep into his personal journey, explore his rich lineage, and learn about the experiences and teachings that have shaped his path to rabbinic ordination. Zvika will also share his perspectives on pressing current issues, including the Israel/Palestine conflict and the ongoing discussions around ceasefire. Whether you’re curious about his spiritual growth or seeking insights on contemporary matters, this is a rare moment to connect with Zvika in an open and intimate way. Don’t miss it! DONATION INFO Our Shabbat services are supported by donation. Each donation, small and large, allows us to continue with this offering. Please contribute when you register, or at one of the links below:•…

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22
Torah Study
9:30 am
Gathering in Prayer: Israeli and Palestinian Musicians in Concert
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday February 22 Join us for an evening of music, unity, and heartfelt prayer as Israeli musician Lior Tsarfaty and Palestinian musician Naser Musa come together in harmony. Through soul-stirring melodies, we will lift our voices in prayer for peace and safety in Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East. Here is the zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84984480595  Concert Tickets Accessibility Physical Access Entrance Entrance to the Sanctuary is at the corner of Prince St. and Fulton St.. There are 8 steps into the main entrance of the Sanctuary. There is an accessible ramp at a separate entrance on Fulton St. Please let a volunteer or staff know if you need to use this entrance; you can also email us in advance at shalom@chochmat.org Seating We have folding chairs (some with padding, some without), pillows, and floor cushions available for you to use, along with limited bench seating in the back of the Sanctuary.  COVID ProtocolsOur policy effective May 19th, 2023 is as follows:Chochmat HaLev, in consultation with our medical advisor and based on community survey results, will discontinue masking requirements for attendance at events. Masks, although not required, are recommended. We understand people will need to make their own decisions about exposure and risk based on their own personal preferences, and health status. Chochmat HaLev will provide passive ventilation (e.g., open windows and doors under the supervision of security-trained personnel) and other equipment as available. Chochmat HaLev will include specific guidelines for those attending in person events on our website and in announcements regarding events.Chochmat HaLev will provide seating adjacent to a window in an end-of-the-row seat to individuals upon request. DO NOT attend an event at CHL if: you are experiencing any potential symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days and have not had a negative antigen…

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23
24
Monday Night Meditation
7:00 pm
25
Tikkun Ha’Middot
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
THE SPIRIT OF INTEGRITY: A COURSE FOR LIVING A JEWISH ETHICAL LIFE   “You shall be holy because I, your Infinite Source, am holy.”                 — Leviticus 9:1 The commandment to be holy is an invitation to fully embody our divine nature–to become our best selves. This lofty aspiration is supported by the ancient Jewish practice of Tikkun ha’Middot–refining our character through the cultivation of virtues such as: gratitude, humility, generosity, patience, honesty, awe and holy speech. By strengthening and balancing these middot (character traits) the natural radiance of our souls can shine through. In this study group, we will explore ancient and contemporary Jewish wisdom teachings, along with insights from the world’s great faith traditions, that guide us into the core ethics of our tradition. Each session will focus on a single trait through text study, storytelling, chanting, simple movement and meditation practices. If interested, those who attend this series may decide to continue meeting with the guidance of a teacher as an ongoing study group to form a unique community of practice. Facilitators:  Estelle Frankel and Jeffrey Kessler Open to all — no prior experience needed. 8 Sessions, Tuesday evenings — Sessions will be in the sanctuary on: January 28 February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25 March 4 March 11 March 18 *The first and last class will include both teachers and will meet from 7 – 9 pm; all other sessions will meet from 7 – 8:30 pm. Cost and Commitment:  Sliding scale:  $150-300 for CHL members; $200-$350 for non-members. No one turned away for lack of funds. Register Here Estelle Frankel, MFT, is a practicing psychotherapist, author, spiritual director and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism and musar. She is a popular public speaker who has taught courses on the intersection of Judaism, spirituality and healing…

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Meditation of Presence
8:15 am
with Jeffrey KesslerWednesdays  |  8:15 – 9amBy Donation  |  On Zoom  Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » Torah is our technology for encountering the Divine Presence. Silence provides a necessary space for that encounter. According to Jewish tradition, the Presence dwells continually within and around us, but we must learn deep listening to receive its generative wisdom. Shemah – in a word that sounds like an exhalation of breath,  we are directed to listen in order to understand the Divine Oneness. We are to open to this Oneness with all of our heart, our soul, our strength. We must listen to our bodies, our emotions, our thoughts, all that is deep within us. Join us as we sit together in silence, after a brief teaching on meditation practice in connection either with the weekly Torah portion or where we find ourselves in the Jewish sacred calendar. About Jeffrey KesslerA graduate of Chochmat HaLev’s first Jewish Meditation Teacher Training Program, Jeffrey has studied many spiritual traditions. With degrees in philosophy, mathematics and spiritual psychology, Jeffrey has spent his life exploring the many creative disciplines of staying open in order to connect with the Nameless One. He sees Meditation and Mussar practice as key to the renewal of Jewish spirituality. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Every contribution, large or small, allows us to keep bringing you meditation, services, and much more. • Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOJoin with video  https://zoom.us/j/520703203?pwd=RnJNRittSkZNcnkxNm03WGxvcFgyQT09 Join by phone  1-669-900-6833, 1-346-248-7799, 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 520 703 203Passcode: 062729 , …
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Exploring Wisdom of the Body through Feldenkrais
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
This class series will explore our communication with our body and help us develop a relationship of acceptance, compassion, willingness and trust with our body’s wisdom. We will discover harmony and balance between the mind and body and re-attune all aspects of our being so as to meet whatever is arising with loving awareness — As we give our awareness, our awareness heals us. The class experience is a microfield for what we express in the macrofield, so as we practice care and understanding for ourselves, we bring that to all relationships in our life. In addition, Ilana will embed some images and stories from Kabbalah, our jewish mystical tradition, which are aligned with the original teachings of the method as Feldenkrais himself was related to the Bal Shem Tov. **This series is accessible to all ages and all abilities, and the series will be molded to the specific needs of people in attendance** Please bring: a heavy blanket (no yoga mats)  pillow small towel Fridays, 10:30-12:00pm – Feb. 14th Feb. 21st Feb. 28th March 7th March 14th Cost:   FIRST CLASS IS FREE (FEB 14)If this class resonates with you, we are asking for a commitment to the remaining 4 classes in the series. Classes will be donation-Based for the remaining classes.  Suggested Donation:Members: $72 for remaining 4 sessions Non-Members: $96 for remaining 4 classes NOTAFLOF ABOUT THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD:The Feldenkrais Method® is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning. Through this Method, you can increase your ease and range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination, and rediscover your innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement. These will often generalize to enhance functioning in other aspects of your life. By expanding the self-image through movement sequences that bring attention to the parts of…

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Torah Study
9:30 am
Contemplative Shabbat – Saturday Morning
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Join us for an in-person Shabbat service. Janet Falk and Jeffrey Kessler conduct Chochmat’s beautiful Contemplative Service, created by founding member Nan Gefen and Rabbi Jonathan Omer-man. The service follows the arc of the traditional morning Shabbat service in distilled form – with alternating periods of chant and silence, time for personal prayer, Torah teaching, and Mourner’s Kaddish. Followed by: Kiddish Lunch 12:30 pm Chesed Community Care Circle 1:00 pm – Information for this circle forthcoming. DONATION INFOOur Shabbat services are supported by donation. Each donation, small and large, allows us to continue with this offering.• Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org , …
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