Join us in celebrating the New Year of the Trees while supporting Haiti relief efforts and Chochmat!
Tu B'Shevat is the celebration of the New Year of the Trees. In Jewish time, it marks the moment of ascent from the depths of winter into new life--the time when the sap of the tree begins to rise up from its roots in the earth. For the kabbalists of old, Tu B'Shevat was not just a time to express gratitutde for the gifts of the earth, but also a time to celebrate the cosmic flow of life from its divine source--the Sephirotic Tree of life.
Join us for a taste of paradise as we journey through the Four Worlds, contemplate the mysteries of the cosmic Tree of Life, and reflect on our relationship with the earth.

6-6:30 Ma'ariv service with Rabbi SaraLeya Schley
6:30-7:15 Kiddush and light meal catered by Avishai Pearlson
7:30-9 pm Tu B'Shevat Seder led by Estelle Frankel
$36 members, $40 non-members
PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE (BY 1/26) BY CALLING 510.704.9687.
Proceeds will be donated to Haiti relief efforts and to benefit Chochmat.

The Spirit of Integrity: A Study Group on Kabbalistic Mussar with Estelle Frankel

This study group is focused on tikkun ha’middot-building spiritual muscle through cultivating the soul’s divine attributes. Each of the middot, like facets of a diamond, reflect aspects of our essential being—our potential to be whole.  As we polish and perfect these soul qualities we deepen in our connection with the divine.  This foundational inner work, shared by both Jewish mystics and Mussar masters alike, helps ground our spiritual aspirations, increase our joy & authenticity, and deepen our personal integrity.

Each month we will focus on a particular middah. A study packet and recommended reading list will be given out that that explore how to cultivate this soul quality. While we hope you will take the entire series, it is possible to sign up on a month by month basis.

Tues evenings 7:30-9:00 pm
1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/30
Series: $200 non-members, $160 members, or pay by the session, $25/20.

January:  The Wisdom of “Not Knowing”—Spiritual Teaching for Dealing with Uncertainty

Torah of Six Feet Under with Maggid Jhos Singer

Join Maggid Jhos Singer for a Torah/TV journey. We will explore the masterful storytelling of the Torah and the brilliant, award-winning HBO series Six Feet Under (Season 1). Every week we will view an episode, have a little nosh, and engage in some serious discussion and Torah learning that focus on traditional Jewish approaches to death, burial and mourning. Maggid Singer will prepare a teaching from Torah that applies to the episode, making links to some eternal wisdom as refracted through a contemporary lens.

Sundays 1/10/10 to 3/21/10 (no class on 2/28)
6 pm to 8 pm EXCEPT on 1/10, 2/7, and 3/14 when it will go until 9 pm)
$255 non-members/$215 members; drop-ins $26/$22

Read more about it in the Forward.

In winter, we go within, we gather as a tribe around the fire – the burning bush – to tell our stories. We will read, share, write, and create stories interwoven from our personal lives and the lives of our ancestors and our rich Jewish story tradition. We will learn how to present our sacred stories authentically, brilliantly, and expressively so that our hearts and the hearts of our listeners are cracked open and we are all touched by the presence of God.

Jewish Tots’ Music Circle With Jen Miriam Kantor

Please pre-register by calling 510.704.9687—the class will fill up.

For tots ages 0-4 and their parents or caregivers, this class includes 45 minutes of music featuring Jewish songs, prayers, niggunim, Israeli dances and more. Children will have the opportunity to explore different instruments, scarves and other props in a fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate way. Parents will be invited to stay and socialize after class.

February 4-week session
Thursdays, 4-4:45pm, Feb. 5-26
$75 members/$100 non-members

Jewish Spirituality in the Kitchen with Avishai Pearlson

Sunday, 10 am - 1 pm, 2/14, 3/14, 5/9
$45 members/$55 nonmembers (includes food to take home to feed your family)
Discount packages:
$10 off if you register for 2 classes

Four cooking workshops, each leading to a Communal Feast!

Learn to cook spiritually with meditation, Hebrew phrases, chants and songs, healthy nutrition guidelines, hands-on creative cooking, blessing and gratitude rituals, and introduction to Thriving in Challenging Times.

We use sustainable, seasonal, local, and organic (eco-kosher) ingredients as much as possible.

Ya Elah Concert, Saturday, February 20th

Ya Elah's music combines the sacred texts of Jewish and many other ancient traditions with choral music inspired by eastern European and middle eastern sounds with harp to illuminate the beauty, mystery, and power of the world's diverse spiritual paths.