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 , …

In partnership with Wilderness Torah Wednesday, October 2  •  7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Service Leaders: Zvika Krieger| Lior Tsarfaty | and other special guestsCantorial Soloist: Daniela GesundheitMusicians: Lauren Arrow | Michaelle Goerlitz | Irene Sazar | Eliyahu Sills First Presbyterian Church2407 Dana Street, Berkeley CA 94704 The gates are open: We invite you to open to all that is possible This service, the first gate of renewal, invites us to celebrate the creation of the world and all its possibilities. It is the first step in our spiritual journey. As individuals in community, we center ourselves in the mystery of continuous creation. Our celebration strengthens us so that we are ready to explore the larger questions of purpose and honest self-evaluation. We open our hearts with embodied prayer, soulful singing, ecstatic dancing, guided meditation, sharing of ancestral wisdom, and connection in intergenerational community. GO DEEPER Lounge – Wednesday, October 2   •   9 – 10 pmJoin us in the courtyard after services to schmooze with old and new friends, debrief your prayer experiences, and set New Year intentions. For more information about our services, check out our main High Holy Days information page. Multi Access LocationsAll Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be live at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, CA and livestreamed via Zoom Tickets Parking Permit , …

In partnership with Wilderness Torah Thursday, October 3 • 10:00 am – 1:30 pm Service Leaders: Zvika Krieger | Lior Tsarfaty | and other special guestsCantorial Soloist: Daniela GesundheitMusicians: Lauren Arrow | Michaelle Goerlitz | Irene Sazar | Eliyahu Sills First Presbyterian Church2407 Dana Street, Berkeley CA 94704 Return to the Heart of it All: We open to receive boundless love Pray with us in the essential elements of the Shacharit morning service and Musaf, which includes the special High Holy Day liturgy. We journey through embodied prayer, soulful singing, ecstatic dancing, guided meditation, sharing of ancestral wisdom, and connection in intergenerational community. Let the music and chant resonate deeply within. Let it open our hearts to receive the love that is the essence of living. We pass through this next gate together, receiving and reflecting this great love. GO DEEPER Picnic – Willard Park (2730 Hillegass Ave), Thursday, October 3  •  1:30 – 5 pmJoin us for lunch just six blocks away! We’ll have easy ways to meet new people, and a dedicated family section near the playground. All are welcome. (Bring your own lunch or grab some at Whole Foods nearby.)  For more information about our services, check out our main High Holy Days information page. Multi Access LocationsAll Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be live at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, CA and livestreamed via Zoom Tickets Parking Permit , …

Torah Study and Contemplative Service with Janet Falk and Jeffrey Kessler at Chochmat HaLevParking Permit Schedule: 10:00 am | Torah Study 11:00 am | Contemplative Service You are welcome to bring your lunch to eat in community at Chochmat after the service Chochmat Halev and Urban Adamah are partnering for a community picnic and Tashlich ritual on the farm. at Urban Adamah: 1151 Sixth Street, Berkeley CA 94710 Urban Adamah welcomes Chochmat HaLev and Base for an afternoon of connection, nourishment, and an invitation into the ancient ritual of Tashlich – the symbolic casting off of what is no longer serving us. Sign up for a delicious lunch at Urban Adamah or bring your own and picnic with us. The whole family is invited! Schedule: 1:00 PM | Gather at Urban Adamah, start to picnic1:30 PM | Child & Family Programming Begins2:30 PM | Welcome, blessings, Tashlich Ritual Registration For High Holy Days this year, don’t settle for rote performance or empty ritual. We invite you to go deeper with us. Peel back the layers of the traditional liturgy to find meaning for our lives today. Make our sacred texts come alive in new and provocative ways. Allow our soulful music to open your heart and release what no longer serves you. Deepen your connection to Spirit by transcending outdated and dissonant notions of the Divine. Create deep bonds with a community that holds you in your full complexity. For more information about our services, check out our main High Holy Days information page. , …

Saturdays, 9:30 – 11amwith Eric StrellisJoin with Zoom It is a tree of life to all who take hold of it, and whoever keeps hold of it is happy; its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.  – Proverbs 3:17-18 If Torah is our Tree of Life, where are its roots, how does it flower, what does its fruit taste like? Answers to these questions, and more, are revealed to us every week when we study together. Engaging with Torah allows us to access an Eternal Wisdom that often seems intimidating, hidden and unreachable. Explore the parsha, the week’s Torah portion, with a warm, supportive, questioning community.  Together, we luxuriate in the specialness of Shabbat, delving deeply into the text. We read the entire parsha aloud in English and see where the discussion leads us.  Prior experience with the text is not required as we read it again, together, for the first time. Join us and deepen your connection to Torah, Shabbat, and Jewish community. Everyone is welcome, every voice is valued. For more information, please reach out to Eric Strellis at eric@chochmat.org. DONATION INFOWe rely on your contributions to cover our expenses. Please consider donating, or become a member! Free for Chochmat members$5 requested donation for non-members• Donate online here• Venmo @chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOIf you are new to Zoom, join early and follow the prompts to download the free software.Join with videohttps://zoom.us/j/652501750 Join by phone1-669-444 9171 1-346-248-77991-253-205-0468 Meeting ID: 881 8385 9402Passcode: 986927 , …

Mondays,  7 – 8:30pm by donationOnly on Zoom Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » EVENT DESCRIPTION Come Deepen Your Practice of Jewish Meditation Want to see God (or at least It’s shadow)? Lower your blood pressure? Manage your spiritual confusion? Connect with a deeper Jewish consciousness? Learn about Judaism’s esoteric side? Get a whiff of enlightenment? Just as healthy foods nourish our body, Jewish meditation nourishes our soul.  It has been around for centuries and includes forms such as chanting, visualization, silence, and movement. It can revitalize and transform Judaism from the blasé familiar into a profound and constantly renewing spiritual practice. As one of the first modern Jewish institutions to teach these forms when we opened our doors in 1995, we invite you to join us in a journey that is both personal and communal, a claiming and reclaiming of ancient pathways that open and deepen our capacity to live in connection. Some of the teachers are skilled in Classical Jewish styles of meditation, while others are practitioners of other forms but have integrated Jewish wisdom, liturgy, and concepts into their teaching. All provide an interesting, engaging and meaningful experience. For beginners and experienced meditators alike. No previous meditation or Jewish experience required. By donation. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Our meditation program is supported entirely by donations. Each contribution, small and large, allows us to keep bringing you meaningful offerings.• Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFO Join with video:  https://zoom.us/j/848045873?pwd=bHpOZEpwTGJkbDNRLzNoVjNoZ01vZz09 Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833, or 1-346-248-7799, or 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 848-045-873Passcode: 847352 BIOSJen RoitmanJen experienced the power of chanting and meditation at a contemplative Rosh Hashanah service led by Rabbi Jonathan Omer-man and has been practicing Jewish and Vipassana meditation for more than 18 years.  She is a graduate of Rabbi Shefa Gold’s Kol Zimra Chant Leader Training, and The Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy Program. …

Continue Reading , …

Come gather in community to grieve the one-year anniversary of this horrendous tragedy and the countless lives lost in Israel -Palestine since then. Singing, prayers, Jewish wisdom, contemplation, and sharing led by Zvika and Lior. No registration needed.  If you feel moved to make a donation at this time, click 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 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 test…

Continue Reading , …

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 , …

×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″ , …

In partnership with Wilderness Torah Friday, October 11   •  6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Service Leaders: Zvika Krieger| Lior TsarfatyCantorial Soloist: Daniela GesundheitMusicians: Lauren Arrow | Michaelle Goerlitz | Irene Sazar | Don Benedictson First Presbyterian Church2407 Dana Street, Berkeley CA 94704 The turn inward begins with Kol Nidre, a gentle shift into the forgiveness/Selichot prayers and deep offerings for all that has been lost. For more information about our services, check out our main High Holy Days information page. Multi Access LocationsAll Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be live at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, CA and livestreamed via Zoom. Recordings will not be available after services. Sorry, no photography or video allowed. Zoom-Only Tickets Tickets Parking Permit , …

Saturdays, 9:30 – 11amwith Eric StrellisJoin with Zoom It is a tree of life to all who take hold of it, and whoever keeps hold of it is happy; its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.  – Proverbs 3:17-18 If Torah is our Tree of Life, where are its roots, how does it flower, what does its fruit taste like? Answers to these questions, and more, are revealed to us every week when we study together. Engaging with Torah allows us to access an Eternal Wisdom that often seems intimidating, hidden and unreachable. Explore the parsha, the week’s Torah portion, with a warm, supportive, questioning community.  Together, we luxuriate in the specialness of Shabbat, delving deeply into the text. We read the entire parsha aloud in English and see where the discussion leads us.  Prior experience with the text is not required as we read it again, together, for the first time. Join us and deepen your connection to Torah, Shabbat, and Jewish community. Everyone is welcome, every voice is valued. For more information, please reach out to Eric Strellis at eric@chochmat.org. DONATION INFOWe rely on your contributions to cover our expenses. Please consider donating, or become a member! Free for Chochmat members$5 requested donation for non-members• Donate online here• Venmo @chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOIf you are new to Zoom, join early and follow the prompts to download the free software.Join with videohttps://zoom.us/j/652501750 Join by phone1-669-444 9171 1-346-248-77991-253-205-0468 Meeting ID: 881 8385 9402Passcode: 986927 , …

Contemplative Service In partnership with Wilderness Torah Saturday, October 12  •  10:00 am – 12:30 pm Service Leader:  Lior TsarfatySpecial Guests:  Melanie DeMore  |  Laura Goldman |  Naomi Newman First Presbyterian Church2407 Dana Street, Berkeley CA 94704 The journey inward continues as we enter the Contemplative Service, our Shacharit morning offering that weaves traditional prayer, heart-opening music, and sharing of ancestral wisdom with opportunities for deep reflection and grounding in silence. We welcome special guests Melanie DeMore and Laura Goldman to join our prayer leadership team in guiding us on this journey. For more information about our services, check out our main High Holy Days information page. Multi Access LocationsAll Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be live at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, CA and livestreamed via Zoom. Recordings will not be available after services. Sorry, no photography or video allowed. Zoom-Only Tickets Tickets Parking Permit , …

Contemplative Service In partnership with Wilderness Torah Saturday, October 12  •  12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Service Leaders: Zvika Krieger| Lior TsarfatyCantorial Soloist: Daniela GesundheitMusicians: Lauren Arrow | Michaelle Goerlitz | Irene Sazar | Don Benedictson For High Holy Days this year, don’t settle for rote performance or empty ritual. We invite you to go deeper with us. Peel back the layers of the traditional liturgy to find meaning for our lives today. Make our sacred texts come alive in new and provocative ways. Allow our soulful music to open your heart and release what no longer serves you. Deepen your connection to Spirit by transcending outdated and dissonant notions of the Divine. Create deep bonds with a community that holds you in your full complexity. For more information about our services, check out our main High Holy Days information page. Multi Access LocationsAll Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be live at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, CA and livestreamed via Zoom. Recordings will not be available after services. Sorry, no photography or video allowed. Register for Tickets Parking Permit , …

Saturday, October 12  • 3:15 pm The workshops are free for all those attending our Yom Kippur services. Parking Permit Art as Midrash On Yom Kippur, during the exquisite hours of inner reflection before the closing of the gates, choosing what to bring forward to the new year and what to leave behind can be challenging. This Art as Midrash workshop invites you to quietly unravel and express some of your personal High Holiday prayers and reflections — through making an art work, writing, or simply by sitting in silent meditation. If you feel called to make something, a variety of art and craft supplies are available. If writing, paper and pens are here. For those who wish to share their experience verbally, we will offer a forum during the workshop’s final 15 minutes. Chochmat Art Committee members: Nadine Rosenthal and friends Restoration and Repair A powerful restoration practice is a transformative tool for maintaining trust and connection within our communities and relationships, and  can even give us the confidence to take more risks together. The Gold Standard Apology is a six-step process informed by the best minds in restorative and transformative justice; anti-racism, and conscious communication. Activities include dyad story shares and discussion of the most common pitfalls of harmful apologies and the art of forgiveness. Participants emerge with an elevated and even transcendent understanding of what real accountability actually looks like, and a concrete practice for conducting restoration in their own lives. Mischa Byruck Mischa Byruck is a men’s integrity coach. He supports his clients to turn their biggest mistakes into their greatest opportunities for transformation. He also consults to organizations to bring greater accountability, power awareness and trauma-informedness to leaders. He is certified in somatic trauma therapy, with extensive training in harm reduction, counseling, sexuality, and antiracism….

Continue Reading , …

In partnership with Wilderness Torah Saturday, October 12  •  5 pm – 6:15 pm Service Leader:  Lior Tsarfaty First Presbyterian Church2407 Dana Street, Berkeley CA 94704 The Yizkor service is our personal gate of honoring the memory of those who have died. Our tradition wisely gives us the opportunity to express our sorrow in community through liturgy, chant, and reflection. We welcome this tribute to our loved ones and affirmation of the power and poignancy of remembering. Multi Access LocationsAll Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be live at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, CA and livestreamed via Zoom. Recordings will not be available after services. Sorry, no photography or video allowed. Tickets Zoom-Only Tickets Parking Permit , …

In partnership with Wilderness Torah Saturday, October 12  •  6:30 pm – 7:45 pm Service Leaders: Zvika Krieger| Lior TsarfatyCantorial Soloist: Daniela GesundheitMusicians: Lauren Arrow | Michaelle Goerlitz | Irene Sazar | Don Benedictson First Presbyterian Church2407 Dana Street, Berkeley CA 94704 The gates are closing. Have we done the necessary work of teshuvah, return to our true essence and highest selves? Our final prayers and reflections together build to an exuberant “Yes!” This service brings us to the heights of ecstasy and the depths of inner exploration. Together, we can meet the challenges and opportunities of this New Year! The Neilah Service is followed by a jubilant Havdalah fire ritual to mark the end of Yom Kippur and a modest breakfast in the Courtyard. Multi Access LocationsAll Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services will be live at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, CA and livestreamed via Zoom. Recordings will not be available after services. Sorry, no photography or video allowed. Tickets Parking Permit , …

Mondays,  7 – 8:30pm by donationOnly on Zoom Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » EVENT DESCRIPTION Come Deepen Your Practice of Jewish Meditation Want to see God (or at least It’s shadow)? Lower your blood pressure? Manage your spiritual confusion? Connect with a deeper Jewish consciousness? Learn about Judaism’s esoteric side? Get a whiff of enlightenment? Just as healthy foods nourish our body, Jewish meditation nourishes our soul.  It has been around for centuries and includes forms such as chanting, visualization, silence, and movement. It can revitalize and transform Judaism from the blasé familiar into a profound and constantly renewing spiritual practice. As one of the first modern Jewish institutions to teach these forms when we opened our doors in 1995, we invite you to join us in a journey that is both personal and communal, a claiming and reclaiming of ancient pathways that open and deepen our capacity to live in connection. Some of the teachers are skilled in Classical Jewish styles of meditation, while others are practitioners of other forms but have integrated Jewish wisdom, liturgy, and concepts into their teaching. All provide an interesting, engaging and meaningful experience. For beginners and experienced meditators alike. No previous meditation or Jewish experience required. By donation. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Our meditation program is supported entirely by donations. Each contribution, small and large, allows us to keep bringing you meaningful offerings.• Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFO Join with video:  https://zoom.us/j/848045873?pwd=bHpOZEpwTGJkbDNRLzNoVjNoZ01vZz09 Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833, or 1-346-248-7799, or 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 848-045-873Passcode: 847352 BIOSJen RoitmanJen experienced the power of chanting and meditation at a contemplative Rosh Hashanah service led by Rabbi Jonathan Omer-man and has been practicing Jewish and Vipassana meditation for more than 18 years.  She is a graduate of Rabbi Shefa Gold’s Kol Zimra Chant Leader Training, and The Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy Program. …

Continue Reading , …

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 , …

We gather in the Sukkah to perform the ancient Temple ceremony of Hakel – when men, women, children and even strangers were brought together to celebrate the harvest and pray to the Divine (as stated in Devarim 31:10 13). We will practice Upatzim, where each of us will call on our ancestors, teachers and mentors to join us. We will then read poetry and offer prayers, including Tefilat Geshem, the prayer for rain, using a version where we invoke our female biblical ancestors. After small group sharing for guided contemplation and reflection, we will end with the Sukkot Temple ritual of the pouring of wine and water. Participants are invited to bring rain sticks and fruit to share. In-Person in the Chochmat HaLev Courtyard Free for members;  Suggested donation $18 for non-members Register Here Leah Shelleda taught World Religions, Philosophy and Cultural Studies at the College of Marin. She is a published, prize-winning poet and a ritualist who combines ancient practices, contemporary values and deep compassion in the ceremonies she creates. , …

Saturdays, 9:30 – 11amwith Eric StrellisJoin with Zoom It is a tree of life to all who take hold of it, and whoever keeps hold of it is happy; its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.  – Proverbs 3:17-18 If Torah is our Tree of Life, where are its roots, how does it flower, what does its fruit taste like? Answers to these questions, and more, are revealed to us every week when we study together. Engaging with Torah allows us to access an Eternal Wisdom that often seems intimidating, hidden and unreachable. Explore the parsha, the week’s Torah portion, with a warm, supportive, questioning community.  Together, we luxuriate in the specialness of Shabbat, delving deeply into the text. We read the entire parsha aloud in English and see where the discussion leads us.  Prior experience with the text is not required as we read it again, together, for the first time. Join us and deepen your connection to Torah, Shabbat, and Jewish community. Everyone is welcome, every voice is valued. For more information, please reach out to Eric Strellis at eric@chochmat.org. DONATION INFOWe rely on your contributions to cover our expenses. Please consider donating, or become a member! Free for Chochmat members$5 requested donation for non-members• Donate online here• Venmo @chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOIf you are new to Zoom, join early and follow the prompts to download the free software.Join with videohttps://zoom.us/j/652501750 Join by phone1-669-444 9171 1-346-248-77991-253-205-0468 Meeting ID: 881 8385 9402Passcode: 986927 , …

Please join us for a celebratory afternoon of Sukkot. We will be creating art and decorating the Sukkah. There will be music, learning and light appetizers. If you would like to bring something to add to the spread please do so. On Sukkot we have a ritual of inviting in a guest or ushpizin, so please feel welcome to bring a photo of a loved one and/or ancestor. You are also invited to bring a decoration from your own Sukkah. This is an event for ALL ages! Leah Shelleda is a published poet, a trained facilitator, and Professor Emeritus of Humanities & Philosophy at the College of Marin. Leah taught courses in World Religions and mythology, among others, for over 30 years. When she became interested in the neurology and practice of gratefulness, she studied with the Greater Good Science Center at U.C. Berkeley, and has given lectures and workshops to a variety of groups. In-Person in the Chochmat HaLev Courtyard Free for members Individuals $15, Families $20 Register Here , …

Mondays,  7 – 8:30pm by donationOnly on Zoom Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » EVENT DESCRIPTION Come Deepen Your Practice of Jewish Meditation Want to see God (or at least It’s shadow)? Lower your blood pressure? Manage your spiritual confusion? Connect with a deeper Jewish consciousness? Learn about Judaism’s esoteric side? Get a whiff of enlightenment? Just as healthy foods nourish our body, Jewish meditation nourishes our soul.  It has been around for centuries and includes forms such as chanting, visualization, silence, and movement. It can revitalize and transform Judaism from the blasé familiar into a profound and constantly renewing spiritual practice. As one of the first modern Jewish institutions to teach these forms when we opened our doors in 1995, we invite you to join us in a journey that is both personal and communal, a claiming and reclaiming of ancient pathways that open and deepen our capacity to live in connection. Some of the teachers are skilled in Classical Jewish styles of meditation, while others are practitioners of other forms but have integrated Jewish wisdom, liturgy, and concepts into their teaching. All provide an interesting, engaging and meaningful experience. For beginners and experienced meditators alike. No previous meditation or Jewish experience required. By donation. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Our meditation program is supported entirely by donations. Each contribution, small and large, allows us to keep bringing you meaningful offerings.• Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFO Join with video:  https://zoom.us/j/848045873?pwd=bHpOZEpwTGJkbDNRLzNoVjNoZ01vZz09 Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833, or 1-346-248-7799, or 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 848-045-873Passcode: 847352 BIOSJen RoitmanJen experienced the power of chanting and meditation at a contemplative Rosh Hashanah service led by Rabbi Jonathan Omer-man and has been practicing Jewish and Vipassana meditation for more than 18 years.  She is a graduate of Rabbi Shefa Gold’s Kol Zimra Chant Leader Training, and The Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy Program. …

Continue Reading , …

“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 Jewish practice of Tikkun ha’Middot–refining our character through the cultivation of the 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 on Tikkun ha’Middot, along with insights from the world’s great faith traditions. Each session will focus on a single soul 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. Open to all — no prior experience needed. 8 Sessions, Tuesday evenings — We begin during Sukkot and will meet in the Sukkah (weather permitting) on October 22. The rest of the sessions will be in the sanctuary on Oct 29, Nov 5, 12,19, Dec 3, 10, 17. 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. Sliding scale:  $150-300 for CHL members; $200-$350 for non-members. No one turned away for lack of funds. Sessions will be led by Estelle Frankel and Jeffrey Kessler 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 for over 40 years. She is…

Continue Reading , …

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 , …

Saturdays, 9:30 – 11amwith Eric StrellisJoin with Zoom It is a tree of life to all who take hold of it, and whoever keeps hold of it is happy; its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.  – Proverbs 3:17-18 If Torah is our Tree of Life, where are its roots, how does it flower, what does its fruit taste like? Answers to these questions, and more, are revealed to us every week when we study together. Engaging with Torah allows us to access an Eternal Wisdom that often seems intimidating, hidden and unreachable. Explore the parsha, the week’s Torah portion, with a warm, supportive, questioning community.  Together, we luxuriate in the specialness of Shabbat, delving deeply into the text. We read the entire parsha aloud in English and see where the discussion leads us.  Prior experience with the text is not required as we read it again, together, for the first time. Join us and deepen your connection to Torah, Shabbat, and Jewish community. Everyone is welcome, every voice is valued. For more information, please reach out to Eric Strellis at eric@chochmat.org. DONATION INFOWe rely on your contributions to cover our expenses. Please consider donating, or become a member! Free for Chochmat members$5 requested donation for non-members• Donate online here• Venmo @chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFOIf you are new to Zoom, join early and follow the prompts to download the free software.Join with videohttps://zoom.us/j/652501750 Join by phone1-669-444 9171 1-346-248-77991-253-205-0468 Meeting ID: 881 8385 9402Passcode: 986927 , …

Join us for an in-person Shabbat service. Kiddish Lunch 12:30 pm, Chesed Community Care Circle 1:00 pm. 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. This service will be followed by a oneg lunch and Chesed Community Care Circle, sponsored by Heart 2 Heart. September Chesed Circle:  Setting Kavanah (intentions) during Elul for the High Holidays by using flower essences and meditation, and then ending with offerings of shared healing blessings. Led by:  Long-time Chochmat members,Susanna Delman, Flower essencesZvi Bellin, Shelley Coleman, Mediation and Blessings. Join us at 1:00 pm in the social hall and courtyard. This offering is free and in-person. No registration required. Contact Shelley Coleman heart@chochmat.org with any questions. Want to get involved a little a lot call:  heart 2 heart at 510-390-6609 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 , …

Mondays,  7 – 8:30pm by donationOnly on Zoom Check out our Timeline of Jewish Meditation » EVENT DESCRIPTION Come Deepen Your Practice of Jewish Meditation Want to see God (or at least It’s shadow)? Lower your blood pressure? Manage your spiritual confusion? Connect with a deeper Jewish consciousness? Learn about Judaism’s esoteric side? Get a whiff of enlightenment? Just as healthy foods nourish our body, Jewish meditation nourishes our soul.  It has been around for centuries and includes forms such as chanting, visualization, silence, and movement. It can revitalize and transform Judaism from the blasé familiar into a profound and constantly renewing spiritual practice. As one of the first modern Jewish institutions to teach these forms when we opened our doors in 1995, we invite you to join us in a journey that is both personal and communal, a claiming and reclaiming of ancient pathways that open and deepen our capacity to live in connection. Some of the teachers are skilled in Classical Jewish styles of meditation, while others are practitioners of other forms but have integrated Jewish wisdom, liturgy, and concepts into their teaching. All provide an interesting, engaging and meaningful experience. For beginners and experienced meditators alike. No previous meditation or Jewish experience required. By donation. DONATION INFO$18 suggested donation. Our meditation program is supported entirely by donations. Each contribution, small and large, allows us to keep bringing you meaningful offerings.• Donate online chochmat.org/give• Venmo @Chochmat• Paypal shalom@chochmat.org ZOOM INFO Join with video:  https://zoom.us/j/848045873?pwd=bHpOZEpwTGJkbDNRLzNoVjNoZ01vZz09 Join by phone: 1-669-900-6833, or 1-346-248-7799, or 1-253-215-8782Meeting ID: 848-045-873Passcode: 847352 BIOSJen RoitmanJen experienced the power of chanting and meditation at a contemplative Rosh Hashanah service led by Rabbi Jonathan Omer-man and has been practicing Jewish and Vipassana meditation for more than 18 years.  She is a graduate of Rabbi Shefa Gold’s Kol Zimra Chant Leader Training, and The Sati Center Buddhist Chaplaincy Program. …

Continue Reading , …

“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 Jewish practice of Tikkun ha’Middot–refining our character through the cultivation of the 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 on Tikkun ha’Middot, along with insights from the world’s great faith traditions. Each session will focus on a single soul 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. Open to all — no prior experience needed. 8 Sessions, Tuesday evenings — We begin during Sukkot and will meet in the Sukkah (weather permitting) on October 22. The rest of the sessions will be in the sanctuary on Oct 29, Nov 5, 12,19, Dec 3, 10, 17. 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. Sliding scale:  $150-300 for CHL members; $200-$350 for non-members. No one turned away for lack of funds. Sessions will be led by Estelle Frankel and Jeffrey Kessler 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 for over 40 years. She is…

Continue Reading , …

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 , …