Ayeka: Bringing God back to the Conversation
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After teaching at the Pardes Institute for 20 years, and authoring "The Godfile, 10 Approaches to Personalizing Prayer," Aryeh founded Ayeka in 2007. Ayeka has developed an extensive syllabus that integrates Jewish learning, experiential exercises and personalizing practices which enable adult Jews of all backgrounds to lead more meaningful, passionate, spiritual, and caring Jewish lives.
A Spiritual Check-Up
Jewish Education,
Text & Thought
This session is the opening workshop of the Ayeka series. It is difficult for adult Jews to talk personally about their relationship with God. Yet without a personal and vibrant relationship with God, a Jewish identity begins to wither, regardless of knowledge or commitment. It is simply difficult to get away from God in Judaism. Ayeka is an agenda-free safe environment to explore this relationship, while respecting that everyone is on his/her own path, and everyone is on his/her own pace.
Making Prayer Real 1
A Panel Discussion
Aryeh Ben David, Ayeka: Bringing God back to the Conversation,
Mike Comins, TorahTrek,
Jay Michaelson, Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality
Mike Comins interviewed 51 soulful Jews for his new book, "Making Prayer Real: Leading Jewish Spiritual Voices on Why Prayer is Difficult and What to Do about It," including Jay Michaelson and Aryeh Ben David. They will lead a discussion on the spiritual dynamics of prayer: what it is intended to do, how it works, why it’s difficult, and why it can be so easy and rewarding.
God & Love - Jewish?
Jews don't like to talk personally about God. Why?
Jewish Education,
Text & Thought
I used to think that the essence of being human was the tension and free-will created by having a body and a soul. Now I would say that it is being loved by God. People tend to scoff; they tell me this doesn’t sound Jewish. Still, I would say that it is the core experience of Judaism and life. We tend to feel uncomfortable talking and dealing personally with it. We will study beautiful sources dealing with this issue.
Loving People who are Difficult and Annoying
Jewish Education,
Text & Thought
How can the Torah command us to love, especially when there are so many difficult and exasperating people in our lives? There always seem to be people who press our buttons. How do you feel about yourself when you become annoyed? Is it possible to reframe this experience?
