Religious Life & Spirituality
Wed 31

- Pacific Time

Prof. Ariel Evan Mayse: Exploring Hasidism (In person or on Zoom)

In partnership with and at BASE-Bay, Rockridge

Come learn about the spiritual legacy and theology of Hasidism, a movement of mystical renewal founded in the 18th century whose fire continues into the present day. We'll pay special attention to teachings on devotion, prayer, community, ecology, and the possibility of finding the sacred in ordinary moments.

Wednesdays, January 10 and 31 @ 7–8:30, hybrid 

Location

Base Bay Area

Base Bay Area is on the Berkeley-Oakland border in Rockridge. Exact location will be provided upon r
CA + Google Map

Instructor

Sun 02

- Pacific Time

Multiple Presenters: The Art of the Ketubah (Hybrid—on Zoom and at the Magnes Museum)

Hybrid Program

In partnership with the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life

With ketubah artists David Moss, Deborah Ugoretz & Rachel Biale

The art of illuminating ketubot (Jewish marriage contracts) spans Jewish communities from India and Iran, to Europe, North Africa, and America. In the late 1960s several calligraphers and artists revived and re-envisioned this art, key among them David Moss in Berkeley (housed at the Magnes Museum) and Stuart Kelma... Read more

Location

Magnes Museum

2121 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94720 + Google Map

Instructor

Fri 14

- Pacific Time Series

Multiple Instructors: Friday Torah Study 2025

Virtual Program
Join the Friday Morning Torah Study Group which has been meeting for 50+ years! Every week features a different teacher from among rabbis, scholars, Jewish educators, artists, and the lay leaders with which our community is blessed. Each session begins with the week's Parasha (Torah portion) and emphasizes deep conversation and multi-faceted perspectives. We offer this program tuition-free, but ask that you please consider a donation to New Le... Read more

Instructor

Register ➜Total Program Fee: Free76 spaces open
Mon 27

- Pacific Time

Profs. David Myers & Nomi Stolzenberg: Jewish Values vs. Democratic Values (on Zoom)

Virtual Program
This program is in memory of David Biale.

There has been discussion over the past thirty years about the vision of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, as well as the compatibility of observant Jewish life and American democracy. Can the two—Jewish and democratic—be reconciled? The two presenters, one a Jewish historian, the other a scholar of American law, will explore the consonances and tensions between Jewish and democratic values in Israel and ... Read more

Instructor

Tue 11

- Pacific Time Series

Daniel Matt: Exploring the Zohar in English

Virtual Program
Read and study the Zohar, the masterpiece of Kabbalah. Earlier series are available via Zoom session recordings. There is one free introductory session that is recommended for new students but not required.

Tuition ranges from $150–$300 (sliding scale). Full info (including sample videos) is available here.

Tuesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 2... Read more

Instructor

Register for this Program
Fri 31

- Pacific Time

The Queen’s Table: An Evening of Mystical Delight

In partnership with Chochmat Halev, Berkeley

Join world-leading Kabbalah scholars Dr. Melila Hellner-Eshed and Dr. Daniel Matt in Berkeley for an unforgettable night. Come experience an 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... Read more

Location

Chochmat Halev

2215 Prince Street
Berkeley, CA 94705 + Google Map

Instructor

Register for this ProgramTotal Program Fee: $180.00
Wed 02

- Pacific Time

Deborah Apple: Moon, Mikveh, Magic

Virtual Program
This class will focus on the moon cycle’s connection to water and traditions of immersion from ancient Mesopotamian myths and rituals to Abrahamic religions—the Jewish mikveh, Christian baptism, and Islamic wudu. Participants will engage with traditional texts, and be given the opportunity to create a prayer or symbolic action echoing these texts.

Wednesday, April 2 @ 7–8:30pm, on Zoom

Instructor

Register ➜Total Program Fee: $15.0091 spaces open
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Join our email list

HomeDonateContactSubscribeLog in

Stay Connected