It’s been a long and fruitful journey, with a glorious future ahead.
Chochmat Halev is a community born in Berkeley in late 1994 (The sages say: Rosh HaShana 5755). One of the first modern Jewish meditation academies, its name poetically points to the Wisdom of the Heart we seek to live by. This is expressed in the symbol by which we have identified ourselves. It is a rendering of Ein Sof, the Kabbalistic yearning for the infinite and unknowable essence of the divine. Ten circles each hold a dimension (sefirah) of divine energy, creation as a process of divine emanation.
Celebrating Chochmat @ 30, Chochmat-style
In celebration of this milestone, we renew our commitment to innovative and relevant spirituality to lay the groundwork for our next 30 years. In the series of special events below, we will come together to reflect on our past, celebrate the present, and look forward to resilience in community. We have created a rendering of the Ein Sof especially for the occasion.
All these events are for members and non-members alike.
More details to come as the year unfolds.
Friday 1/17/25 Special Kabbalat Shabbat
We will honor former Board members and leaders who have each answered the call to service with a resounding “Hineini” – Here I am.
Saturday 1/25 Special Torah Service + Kiddush + Program
Celebrating our Spiritual Leader Zvika’s rabbinic ordination through Aleph: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal with a special Shabbat Torah service with an extraordinary assembly of Bay Area Renewal Rabbis. After Kiddush, we will Go Deeper on Chochmat’s spiritual lineage and Zvika’s vision for the future.
January 31 – February 1
Accept the Zohar’s invitation to “make Shabbat a delight.. unto both the body and soul.”
Accept Chochmat’s invitation to elevate this Shabbat to one you won’t forget.
Honoring Chochmat’s dedication to reimagining ancient rituals and renewing mystical wisdom
Fri 1/31 The Queen’s Table: A Gala Friday Evening of Mystical Delight
Two top scholar-teachers in Jewish mysticism, Dr. Melila Hellner-Eshed & Dr. Daniel Matt will join R’ Zvika in a gala Friday evening – Chochmat’s unique take on the Hasidic a “tisch” (table). Join us for an intimate conversation over Shabbat dinner at 6 or journey with us to mystical heights with wisdom teachings, singing, and delicacies at 8pm.
Sat 2/1 Come! Parshat Bo! With Melila
We will continue the Shabbat of Going Deeper with the mystical lens only Melila can bring, gathering in community for the last portion of Shabbat. Give yourself over to the unique intimacy and power of Jewish learning in a shiur (lesson) then turn together to the week ahead with the Jewish fire ritual of Havdalah.
Sun 3/30 in partnership with Hadar – Exodus and the Birth of Song: A Hadar Rising Song Immersive
Guided by a faculty team of composers, facilitators, and scholars, this experiential day offers the opportunity to explore and cultivate the underpinnings of empowered music and prayer communities. All are invited to build skills, ask questions, and immerse in heart-opening communal song! Presented by Hadar West, in partnership with Chochmat HaLev.
Sat 4/26 Day-Long Contemplative Shabbat Experience
Honoring and Expanding Our Roots In Contemplative Practice.
More details coming soon.
Sun 6/1- 6/2 All-Night “Tikkun Leil Shavuot” with Chochmat and LABA
The Zohar teaches that the masculine and feminine faces of the Divine unite on Shavuot, and so we must “array the jewels of the Bride” by weaving creative interpretations of traditional sacred texts, stringing them into beautiful new garlands of modern meaning. Join Chochmat HaLev and LABA: A Laboratory of Jewish Culture in celebration of Shavuot, the Jewish holiday of revelation, with the mystical tradition of Tikun Leil Shavuot, an ancient ritual in which we stay up late into the night to seek out the Divine voice. Our evening starts with a provocative immersive experience of ritual theater. You can then choose your own adventure — mystical study sessions as well as music, dance, art, and embodiment experiences.
Summer 2025 – Lev Unfolding: This Moment In Chochmat Time
Stay tuned for more details! Email estee@chochmat.org if you’d like to be involved in planning.
This date was previously announced as March 1.
