The Queen’s Table: An Evening of Mystical Delight
You are invited to a Friday evening of ecstasy and enchantment at Chochmat HaLev’s modern take on the Hassidic tisch. Join us as we reimagine the rituals of the Jewish mystics by gathering around a long candlelit table, sacred teachers illuminating ancient wisdom, wordless nigun melodies, libations and delicacies late into the night.
We have the rare opportunity to be guided on this journey by two of the world’s leading scholars and teachers of Jewish mysticism: Dr. Melila Hellner Eshed visiting us from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, together with Dr. Daniel Matt, author of the nine-volume annotated work The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, the core text of Jewish mysticism. Participate in lively conversation facilitated by Chochmat HaLev Spiritual Leader Zvika Krieger and sacred chanting led by Musical Director Lior Tsarfaty and Jewtina songstress Daniela Gesundheit as we enter the new Hebrew month of Shevat, a portal for rebirth and infinite potential.
Accept the Zohar’s invitation to “make the Shabbat a delight… unto both the body and the soul, a delight unto the celestial and earthly realms.” Take your seat at our opulent tisch (table) in a fete to the feminine face of the Divine, the supernal Queen, who according to the Zohar graces us with Her imminent presence on Friday nights – “crowned over and over by the holy people” through our song, study, and spirits.
Limited seats available for intimate Shabbat meal and conversation (6:30-8pm) with Dr. Melila Hellner Eshed and Dr. Daniel Matt, so reserve your seats now.
Tickets:
Tisch Experience: $180
Intimate Shabbat Dinner + Tisch Experience: $360
Proceeds from this event will support Chochmat HaLev’s offerings of embodied prayer and mindfulness, heart-centered connection, and mystical experiences throughout the year.
Dr. Melila Hellner-Eshed is a teacher of Jewish spirituality and one of the world’s leading authorities on Jewish mysticism and the Zohar. She has been a professor in the Department of Jewish Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem for over two decades. She is a Research Fellow of the Kogod Research Center at Shalom Hartman Institute and serves on the faculty of the Institute of Jewish Spirituality. Her publications include A River Flows from Eden: The Language of Mystical Experience in the Zohar; Seekers of the Face: From the Secrets of the Idra Rabba in the Zohar; and On the Path of the Tree of Life. She is active in Sulha, a reconciliation project that brings together Israelis and Palestinians.
Dr. Daniel Matt is a teacher of Jewish spirituality and one of the world’s leading authorities on Kabbalah. He recently completed an 18-year project of translating and annotating the Zohar, the masterpiece of Kabbalah, which received a National Jewish Book Award as “a monumental contribution to the history of Jewish thought.” His other books include The Essential Kabbalah; God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony between Science and Spirituality; and Becoming Elijah: Prophet of Transformation. For twenty years he served as professor at the Center for Jewish Studies of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He has also taught at Stanford and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Zvika Krieger is the Spiritual Leader of Chochmat HaLev in Berkeley, CA. He is co-founder of Shevet: Jewish Mindfulness Collective and has served in board and leadership positions for Milk+Honey camp at Burning Man, Jewish Studio Project, DC Minyan, and other organizations dedicated to nourishing the mind, body, and soul. Zvika previously served as Facebook/Meta’s first-ever Director of Responsible Innovation, co-founder of the World Economic Forum’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the US Department of State’s first-ever “Ambassador to Silicon Valley,” and Middle East Correspondent for Newsweek.
Lior Tsarfaty is the Musical Director of Chochmat HaLev. He is an internationally touring musician and recording artist, uniquely weaving music and various healing modalities to create transformative experiences for his audiences and clients. His debut album “Lior Tsarfaty & The Prayer Songs Project,” brought together Israeli, Moroccan, Indian, Canadian, and American musicians in perfect harmony. His second album, “I Am You,” is a collaboration between 35 Israeli and Palestinian musicians. His most recent album, “In My Ancestors’ Arms” is a tribute to his Jewish heritage. Lior is the founder of Village Song, a school and movement that brings the power of music to Alzheimer communities. His groundbreaking work is featured in the film “There Is A Place.”
Accessibility
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 Protocols
Our 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 on Day 6 or later
- you have had a known exposure to COVID-19 in the past 3-5 days
- a household member has tested positive in the last 10 days and has not had a negative test on Day 6 or later
PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE
By attending this event, you consent that recordings or photos of you may be used by Chochmat HaLev. If you have any questions, please contact shalom@chochmat.org.
