Virtual Programs

Experience Jewish Renewal

Buried Treasure: Torah As Sacred Mythology

Dates: 10/28, 11/11, 11/25, 12/9, 12/23, 1/20, 2/3, 2/17, 3/17, 3/31, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12, 5/26

Time: Tuesdays 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Format: Live Zoom sessions with chant, meditation, teaching, Q&A, and creative writing

FAQ: Source sheets and recordings are always shared the day after the live session

Course Description

Buried Treasure: Torah As Sacred Mythology returns on October 28th! The class will be taught by B’nai Or Boston’s Spiritual Leader and ALEPH Ordination Program’s Erev Rav, Ariel Hendelman. We will continue to look at Torah through the lenses of mythology, mindfulness and dreamwork, with a focus on diving into the wild and wonderous world of Midrash.

In the words of Rabbi Lawrence Kushner from his book, The River of Light: “Midrash is the writing that sprouts up in the spaces between the consecrated words of scripture. Somewhere between commentary and fantasy…To fill in the spaces in between the words, is this not the task of all who would become whole? Health, like real understanding of Scripture, will occur at a time when the spaces are filled in. When the beginning of the story is meaningfully and honestly joined with the end. Midrash…does not seek to change the text. Rather, by joining its fragments together in a new and more coherent pattern of meaning, it seeks to set it free of old, paralyzing stereotypes.”

Midrash is our subversive mythology. It speaks from the silence of the parchment that surrounds the black ink of the written words. Our lives are midrash. We carry the stories of our ancestors and we are rewriting them all the time, each moment. Please join us for a mix of study and practice. We’ll open each session with an original chant from Ariel, and each session will also include some time for creative writing and/or guided meditation.

No prior experience necessary. Just an open heart and mind.

Ariel Hendelman – Course Facilitator

Ariel is a Senior Rabbinic student with the ALEPH Ordination Program. She sees chant and meditation practice as the cornerstones of her spiritual life and leads chant circles online and in-person for organizations such as Or HaLev and Temple of the Stranger. Ariel teaches frequently at Lehrhaus Tavern and House of Learning in Boston on subjects such as dreaming in Jewish tradition and the legacy and lineage of Rabbi Akiva. Ariel’s written words appear in Ayin Press, Double Blind Magazine and most recently on her Substack. While living in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem from 2015-2020, Ariel was an LGBTQ community organizer, founding Shabbat Shelach, which hosted monthly Shabbat meals, as well as the largest post-Pride Shabbat meal ever in Jerusalem. Ariel’s debut album, Prayers for Fire & Water, is a soulful blend of folk and niggunim. Her next musical release will be a series of chant EP’s. In her free time, Ariel enjoys sitting around the bonfire with friends, and eating cornbread, possibly at the same time.

Register Here

Nechamah Minyan

The Nechamah Minyan meets nightly at 9 pm Eastern (6 pm Pacific), every day except Friday, providing nechamah (comfort) beyond time and space. Serving to connect people across denominational lines; people who need a place to pray; to heal; to grieve; to experiment with different forms and modalities of prayer; the Nechamah Minyan is a container for the end of the day and to say kaddish. It has helped attendees relax into the night, soothe sleepless souls, and connect with one another. It is different every night—depending on who is leading—so come a few times to get an array of musical, liturgical, meditative, and poetic styles.

The Nechamah Minyan was started in January 2021 by Reb Geela Rayzel Raphael as a place to say kaddish (Jewish prayer for the dead) for her mom, Natalie Robinson, (Nechama Leah bat Elke v’Chayim).

For Jews in mourning, it is traditional to say daily Kaddish in a minyan, which is a group of 10 or more persons. All who mourn, who are honoring yahrzeits, or who wish to participate in the mitzvah of making a minyan, are invited to join this important program.

If you would like to register, please reach out to Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael at rrayzel@shechinah.com.

If you are looking to attend a minyan taking place that evening, please contact Rabbi Geela Rayzel by 6 pm EDT.

If you’d like to be on the last-minute text list (to be contacted to participate in the mitzvah of making a minyan, in the case not enough are gathered) please reach out to Rabbi Geela Rayzel at the email above.

If you’d like to lead one of the evenings (creative, traditional, and all types of services are welcome!) please reach out to Rabbi Geela Rayzel at the email above.

If you would like to express your gratitude for this type of program, please feel free to make a donation HERE.

To register, please email Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael at rrayzel@shechinah.com.

Friday Healing Circle

Friday Healing Circle
Fridays | 11:30am ET / 8:30am PT | Zoom

The Friday Healing Circle, led by Rabbi Diane Elliot and friends, offers a weekly space to connect, to feel, to praise, to learn, to grieve and to love. Join us each Friday for an hour of song and movement, Torah, poetry and healing prayers to expand your spirit and lead you into Shabbat. Gatherings are recorded and a link sent to all on the Healing Circle mailing list (you must email R’ Diane to be added to the list), so you can partake at your convenience. The Circle is freely offered; contributions are appreciated.

To register, please email R’ Diane at rabbi.diane18@gmail.com

Silence is Praise

Date: Weekly on Wednesdays
Time: 11:30 am-12:30 pm ET (8:30-9:30 am PT)
Cost: Pay-what-you-can
Presenter: Rabbi Anne Brener

Description: Overwhelmed with stress from daily life. Join Rabbi Anne Brener for a chanting and meditation service, using the structure of the morning service, to calm our bodies and connect our souls. There will be time for some check-in afterward.

Register Here

If you have questions or any trouble registering, please email us at tikshoret@aleph.org.

The views, information, or opinions expressed during these classes and events are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of ALEPH and its members.