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Kehilla Community Synagogue Adult Education

Taught by Rabbi Burt Jacobson

Begins Tuesday, March 4, 7:30-9:15pm
(Optional meditation at 7pm) 

     Rabbi Burt has been studying and writing about the Ba’al Shem for over 30 years. During the first meeting of the class, Burt will share how it was that he became a disciple of the Ba’al Shem. Throughout the following six sessions, we will be discussing several chapters from Burt’s manuscript on the Ba’al Shem Tov in order to understand the way in which disciples of the Besht understood their master’s spiritual philosophy. We will explore the experiences, values and ideas of the Ba’al Shem’s world in order to deepen our own spiritual life and thought, and our connection with the Jewish heritage.

     We will study the history and character of kabbalah as an esoteric path, and how the Ba’al Shem broadened and transformed the character of kabbalah, so it would be able to have a real impact on the lives of common people. And we will learn how the Ba’al Shem Tov

• experienced the universe as a unified spiritual entity
• reinterpreted Judaism in the light of his own experience
• understood the relationship between individuality, ego and the Unity of all creation
• laid out a path directed toward spiritual growth for individuals

Time:  Tuesdays, 7:30-9:15pm.

Dates: March 4 and 18; April 1, 15 and 29; May 13 and May 20.  Before each class, at 7pm, there will be an optional half hour of meditation.

Registration:  To register, please send check payable to Kehilla to the Kehilla office, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont, CA 94610 and write “Rabbi Burt Class” in the memo line.

Cost: We ask for a donation of $100 for members of Kehilla (or other Jewish Renewal communities), and $125 for non-members

Class readings:  Class readings will be emailed to students or provided in hard copy form. If you would like a hard copy of the class readings, please call Sasha at 547-2424 x100.