Upcoming Events and Classes
Shadow Dancing Through the Omer (7-class series)
After the sweet heights of Pesach, we count the Omer—the 49 days between redemption from Egypt and the revelation at Mt. Sinai—an invitation to do the spiritual work that opens the pathways from humanity to Divinity (and back). Join Getzel Davis in a deepened exploration of the lower sefirot—the qualities of God, self, and world found in the mystical Kabbalah. Each week we will explore that week's sefirah through biblical, rabbinic, and mystical texts. For each quality we will explore both the sefirah in its fully actualized state as well as its shadow manifestations. Over the seven weeks of the Omer, we will explore all seven 'lower sefirot' in depth and introduce the higher worlds as well. Open to all!
Dreaming with Rebbe Nachman (6 sessions)
Come and dream along with Rebbe Nachman of Breslev and discover Rebbe Nachman’s most famous story “The Seven Beggars”. Rebbe Nachman would tell amazing stories, almost fairytale-like in their construction, filled with the most esoteric Kabbalistic symbolism. These stories mirrored his personal dreams and often can reflect our own. He was explicit that his stories were designed to arouse us all from our spiritual slumber and connect us on an almost pre-intellectual level to the Divine. They are also fun, wacky, and thought to be some of the first Jewish fiction.
Inner Spaciousness: Class in Honor of Rebbe Nachman’s Yahrtzeit
In commemoration of the yahrtzeit (anniversary of death) of the great Chassidic master, Rebbe Nachman of Breslev, Rabbi Getzel will be holding a free learning session on Rebbe Nachman’s teachings about creating spaciousness in our minds and hearts.
Mystical Underpinnings of Teshuva - Elul through Sukkot (7 sessions)
Mystical tradition has it that the 40 days between the start of the month of Elul and the end of Yom Kippur constitute an auspicious period during which to engage in teshuva (forgiveness and return). This soul-accounting and forgiveness process can be one of the most intense spiritual practices in Jewish tradition—and it is most rewarding.
Dive into a textual and experiential exploration of teshuva during the month of Elul with Rabbi Getzel Davis as we prepare for the Days of Awe and teshuva. We will be learning about the practice of Cheshbon Hanefesh - “Soul Accounting” by Menachem Mendel Levin, as well as teachings on transformation from Rebbe Nachman of Breslev, Rabbi Alan Lew, and the Zohar.
The class will take from the Elul period, through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and all the way to its resolution on Sukkot.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Is God Everywhere? (6 sessions)
Each morning and night, many Jews recite the Shema proclaiming that “God is One.” What does this mean? The mystical tradition has long taught that ‘One’ is not a counting number but rather a statement of unity. God is The One, The Infinite, and The Only thing that is. From this panentheistic mythical worldview, the divisions we experience in our lives from others, the world and G!d are only perceived truth. Join Rabbi Getzel for an exploration of the mystical ‘True’ divine world behind the screen where all remains whole and one. The class is open to all regardless of Jewish or text background, mystical experience, or meditative practice. Throughout the series we will discuss a variety of ways to cultivate an experience of oneness in nature, erotic intimacy, meditation, or being part of group.
Beshert: Mystical Connections (4 sessions)
Yiddish for “destiny,” the word beshert is used to refer to an intended soulmate, a true love. Join Rabbi Getzel Davis on a search for the spirituality of encountering one's beloved. We will wonder together with surprising ancient wisdom about questions of queerness, interfaith status, and non-romantic beshert relationships. Dive into teachings from the Zohar, Rabbi Isaac Luria, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Martin Buber, Jacques Derrida, Rabbi Menachem Froman, and bell hooks. This class welcomes partnered and unpartnered folks of all ages, faith backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Rest in the Seventh: Shabbat, Shmitta, and the Sabbatical Cycles of Redemption and Freedom (6 sessions)
This Hebrew year 5782 is the Shmita year, a sabbatical year of rest and release. How might we personally and collectively prepare for a year of rest, reset, and radical rejuvenation? Starting with the study of Shabbat, each week we’ll ground ourselves in text and conversation around our weekly, holiday and yearly cycles and explore what “release” might truly mean. We will delve into Biblical, rabbinic, and post-modern wisdom and draw on our own experiences as we vision what is possible.
Inner Journeys with the Omer (8-class series)
After the sweet heights of Pesach, we count the Omer—the 49 days between redemption from Egypt and the revelation at Mt. Sinai—an invitation to do the spiritual work that opens the pathways from humanity to Divinity (and back). Join Rabbis David Curiel and Getzel Davis in a deepened exploration of the lower sefirot—the qualities of God, self, and world found in the mystical Kabbalah. Each week we will explore that week’s sefirah through text, soul and self, including spiritual practices to enrich the journey. Our first session, before Pesach, will serve as an overview of the sefirotic system. Over the following seven weeks, we will explore all seven 'lower sefirot' in depth and introduce the higher worlds as well. Open to all!
Take A Breath: Jewish Meditation Parenting Mini-Retreat
Caring for children is demanding, rewarding, and vital work. As we draw on our inner resources to do this work, we often feel the need to fill the tanks of our inner reservoirs by going on focused mindfulness or meditation retreats. But because we’re also watching kids, we can’t!
This virtual, live half-day meditation retreat is specifically designed for caregivers and parents who want to learn to meditate or deepen their practice in a supportive and accessible space. In addition to periods of silent sitting meditation, instruction on the retreat will bring the wisdom and power of Jewish mindfulness to the everyday needs of parents. We will explore feelings of being enough, being both resentful of and obsessed with the children in our care, the role of acceptance and grief in our caregiving, and finding the miraculous in our lives.
Dreamweaver: The Stories Of Rabbi Nachman (4 sessions)
Come and dream along with Rebbe Nachman of Breslev this winter as together, we explore Rebbe Nachman's stories. Rebbe Nachman was an amazing storyteller, weaving tales that were often fairytale-like in their construction and filled with the most esoteric Kabbalistic symbolism. These stories mirrored his personal dreams and often reflect our own. The Rebbe designed his stories intentionally, to arouse us from our spiritual slumber and connect us on a pre-intellectual level to the Divine. They are also fun, wacky, and represent some of the first Jewish fiction.
Kabbalah of Relationships (6 sessions)
Join Rabbi Getzel Davis on a search for the spirituality of encountering one's beloved. Explore kabbalistic, rabbinic, and philosophical wisdom on the nature of relationship, sex, and intimacy. Dive into teachings from the Zohar, Rabbi Isaac Luria, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Martin Buber, Jacques Derrida, Rabbi Menachem Froman, and Bell Hooks. This class welcomes partnered and unpartnered folks of all ages, faith backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Mystical Connections: Kabbalistic Teachings on Relationships and Intimacy (8 sessions)
Join Rabbi Getzel Davis on a search for the spirituality of encountering one's beloved. Explore kabbalistic, rabbinic, and philosophical wisdom on the nature of relationship, sex, and intimacy. Dive into teachings from the Zohar, Rabbi Isaac Luria, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Martin Buber, Jacques Derrida, Rabbi Menachem Froman, and Bell Hooks. This class welcomes partnered and unpartnered folks of all ages, faith backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Soul in Action: Mystical wisdom for today's challenges (6 classes)
Pride. Meekness. Anger. Complacency. What soul trait blocks you from being the person you want to be? Join Rabbis David Curiel and Getzel Davis for an experiential Jewish mysticism combining Jewish meditation and middot (soul traits/personal attributes). We will study Likutei Etzot, a distillation of the teachings on middot by Rebbe Nachman of Breslev. Each week we will address a different middah (singular for middot) and reflect together on how to work on it. We will conclude each class with embodied meditation to integrate and reflect on each trait in our lives.
Elul and the High Holidays: Rethink, Renew, Rejoice
Dive into a textual and experiential exploration of teshuva and renewal during the month of Elul with Rabbi Getzel Davis as we prepare for the Days of Awe. The core texts we’ll study together will be those of the Zohar, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Rav Kook, and the stories of class participants. No prior knowledge of Hebrew language or Jewish mysticism is necessary, simply an open mind and heart.
Online Thursdays 8pm-9:30pm ET
Mystical Connections: Kabbalistic teachings on intimacy and relationships (6 sessions)
Join Rabbi Getzel for a 6-class series on the spirituality of encountering one's beloved. We will explore rabbinic, kabbalistic, and philosophical wisdom on the nature of relationship, sex, intimacy, and gender. Over the series we will explore teachings from the Zohar, Rabbi Isaac Luria, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Martin Buber, Jacques Derrida, Rabbi Menachem Froman, and Bell Hooks. Queer, interfaith, couples, and single folks all welcome!
Online Thursdays from 8:00-9:30pm EST
Modern Conundrums: Western Ethics and Jewish Law On The 21st Century's Hardest Questions (8-class series)
Together we will explore some of the juiciest ethical dilemmas facing 21st century Jews through the lenses of modern medical ethics, western moral philosophy, and halachah (Jewish law).
We’ll start by asking: what counts as a moral issue? Then, over several classes, we’ll delve into the ethics of self-driving cars; withdrawing, withholding, or requiring life-sustaining therapies; selecting embryos; and more. We’ll conclude our series by considering the role of intention in halachic and moral violations, and the role and function of halachic and moral rules in our lives.
Working for Revelation: A Journey through the Sefirot (7-class series)
After the sweet heights of Pesach, we count the Omer—the 49 days between redemption from Egypt and the revelation at Mt. Sinai—an invitation to do the spiritual work that opens up the pathways from humanity to Divinity (and back).
Join rabbis David Curiel and Getzel Davis in a deepened exploration of the lower sefirot (qualities of God, self and connection) in kabbalah, as we step week by week on these linear, recursive and fractal paths. Each week we will explore that week’s sefirah through text, soul and self, including spiritual practices to enrich the journey.
Marbim Basimchah: Month-Long Jewish Laughter Retreat
The Talmud teaches that with the beginning of the month of Adar, we are commanded to increase our happiness. How do we cultivate joy in the midst of isolation, loss, and fear? Laughter, Ancient Wisdom, and Community. For the entire month of Adar, Rabbi Getzel Davis and Laughter Coach Shimon Darwick will offer thrice weekly laughter Torah sessions to warm up our sunken hearts.
Dawn: Dancing through the Darkness with Rebbe Nachman of Breslev (8-class series)
Rebbe Nachman teaches that G!d is found even in moments so lonely and dark that divine hiddenness itself is hidden.
Join rabbis Getzel Davis and David Curiel for an exploration of Reb Nachman’s teachings, stories, and practices designed specifically for dark times of life. The class will arc metaphorically from darkness to dawn even as the Northern Hemisphere follows the calendrical trajectory from Shvat’s darkness, through Adar hiddenness and reversal (meeting on Purim eve for a farbrengen party) and culminating on the cusp of Passover—the light of our collective redemption from Egypt.
Spiraling Through Time: Shmita 2021 (7-class series)
The next Shmitah year begins Rosh Hashanah. How might we personally and collectively prepare for a year of rest, reset, and radical rejuvenation? Starting with study of Shabbat, each week we’ll ground ourselves in text and conversation. We’ll delve into Biblical, rabbinic, and post-modern wisdom as we vision the next year.
Winter Jewish Resilience Retreat
In the stillness of the season, join a community of practitioners as we go deep within our hearts and minds for a 3-day retreat. Drawing from practices that integrate the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of our lives, we will explore practices rooted in the Jewish tradition and beyond that invite us to thrive amidst the current pandemic.
Shal-Om: Stories and their Storytellers (8-class series)
Join with other spiritual seekers for an exploration of some of the most awesome mystical stories and spiritual autobiographies told by the Biblical, Rabbinic, Kabbalistic, and Chassidic traditions. Reflect together on the power of narrative, the value of stories, and the use of metaphors to describe mystical states and one's relationship to the divine. Our last few sessions will leap into Jewish modern literature and movies. All are welcome regardless of Jewish background, mystical practice or training, or language skills.
8 weekly sessions online
Pre-Yom Kippur Couples Forgiveness Retreat
Gather together with other couples around the country in preparation of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is a powerful time to practice forgiveness in all of its forms - including for ourselves and within our romantic partnership. As a community of couples we will reflect on:
What we have yet been unable to forgive?
How being unforgiving can be protective
To enact a mutual forgiveness ritual on Yom Kippur to let go and begin anew.
Pre-Rosh Hashanah Couples Renewal Retreat
This year's High Holidays are a difficult challenge for many. Our old routines of synagogue, family, or friends will be unavailable to many of us in their original form.
Who do we have with us? Our romantic partners, husbands, and wives.
Take the power of teshuvah (change) and hitchadshut (renewal) this Rosh Hashanah and direct it toward your relationship.
As a community we will support each other in visioning with our beloved partner.
What are our relationship goals for the next year?
Which particular qualities do we seek to cultivate in the coming year?
Where did we miss the mark as a partnership and how might we start afresh?
Is there more “good” that we can do as a couple in the world?
Mystical Underpinnings of Teshuva (6-class series)
Online on Thursdays 8:00pm-9:30pm - August 20, 27; September 3, 10, 17, 24
Mystical tradition has it that the 40 days between the start of the month of Elul and the end of Yom Kippur constitute an auspicious period during which to engage in teshuva (forgiveness and return). This soul-accounting and forgiveness process can be one of the most intense spiritual practices in Jewish tradition, and it is most rewarding. Dive into a textual and experiential exploration of teshuva during the month of Elul with Rabbis Getzel Davis and David Curiel as we prepare for the Days of Awe and Teshuva.
Cost: $72 per person for the series
Spiraling Through Time: Radically Rethinking Our Relationship to Land (6-class series)
Online, Tuesdays 8pm-9:30pm, July 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18.
How can Shabbat, Shmitah (sabbatical), and agricultural cycles disrupt our assumptions about what it means to own, rest, and relate to the earth? Join Rabbi Getzel Davis and Leora Mallach in study and contemplation as we delve into rabbinic and biblical agricultural wisdom. We’ll use these as our guide to inform and transform our contemporary understanding and practice in our relationships with the land and each other.
Cost: $96 per person for series.
Experiencing the Omer
During Sefirat Ha'Omer, Open Beit Midrash will virtually explore the Omer Sefirot through text study and creative expression. The goal is to provide opportunities for introspection and growth, cultivating in ourselves the traits of the Kabbalistic Sefirot that are tied to the omer.
