Goldie Milgram
Reclaiming Judaism
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Goldie Milgram is a rabbi and founding director of ReclaimingJudaism.org and travels internationally as a teacher of Torah and Jewish Spiritual Practices. She is the author of “Reclaiming Judaism as a Spiritual Practice,” “Meaning & Mitzvah,” and “Make Your Own Bar/Bat Mitzvah.” A 2006 Covenant Award Finalist, she is known for her scholarship, humor and outside-the box teaching methods.
Kabbalah of Nature
Country Walkers
Ritual and Prayer,
Text and Thought
Stone as a metaphor is our chevruta (partnered learning) theme. Let’s get out of the classroom and out into nature, walking, discussing and collecting stones for our studies. Maimonides urged time in nature to fulfill the mitzvah of yirah, awe—so let’s do it!
Chevruta Project, Day One
Torah’s Power of Metaphor: Stone
Ritual and Prayer,
Text and Thought
Come each day to discover the power of metaphor, the way most every word in Torah becomes a portal to expanded consciousness. This year “stone” is the metaphor we are tracking, as in small groups and within chevruta (partner study), you can make new friends while exploring how this metaphor is used in Torah, Talmud, midrash, Zohar, poetry, imagery and prayer. This method is at the root of authentic traditional Jewish mysticism. No experience is required; texts are in Hebrew and English translation.
**Please note that this session will run for 90 minutes.
Family Friendly Musical Shabbat Morning Service
Join us in a playful and educational service for families. Goldie Milgram will take us on a special Shabbat adventure with joyful dance, silk scarves, musical instruments, depth, and fun. Meta-level learning is embedded in the experience for adults while love for family and tradition have room to flow and grow.
The Jew in the Lotus
Where We Were Then, Where We Are Today
Joy Levitt,
Alan Morinis,
Heather Altman,
Goldie Milgram
The 1990 travelogue about the Dalai Lama's request to learn the secrets of Jewish survival in exile appeared while many Jews were on alternative spiritual paths. So it came as news that the Buddhist leader wanted to learn about our people's ways. Today, Jews returning from studies in other faith traditions, as well as those recovering traditional Jewish spiritual practices, are bringing methods that restore and advance the vitality and meaning of being Jewish. Our panelists will discuss the personal and professional impact of the diverse spiritual tools they have uncovered, live, and teach.
Chevruta Project, Day Two
The Power of Metaphor Continues
Ritual and Prayer,
Text and Thought
Let your radical amazement continue to unfold as we tackle a new set of texts on the mystical power of metaphor as a tool for discovering the meaning intended by the sages in Torah, Talmud, midrash, Zohar, poetry and prayer. Stone is our topic. We will study in small groups or with a partner, using guided visualization and classical methods. Texts are available in Hebrew and English.
**Please note that this session will run for 90 minutes.
Memorial Study Service
Ritual and Prayer
Those wishing to honor the memory of family and friends are invited to attend a group study of a brief teaching of Reb Nachman of Breslov on the power of memory and memorial. We will chant the kaddish d'rabbanan at this time and you have the opportunity to journal a few of the personality characteristics of the individual(s) you are remembering on our memorial board along with their names, so that others can appreciate their qualities too. This board will appear in the main lobby after our session and remain up throughout the conference. A tzedakah box to benefit scholarships at Limmud NY will be available at this session, as it is customary to remember a loved one with a charitable donation as well. Make checks in any amount payable to Limmud NY.
Chevruta Project, Day Three
Why Leave a Stone on a Grave?
Ritual and Prayer,
Text and Thought
Stone is the metaphor we are tracking in text and tradition in new ways each day of this conference. Think of all the ways stone, tzur/even, are used in prayer and Torah—and it is not at all what it seems to be. Make new friends and discover what is amazing and profound about stone as a remarkable metaphor frequently found in our tradition. Chevruta (partner study) is an empowering study form in which, no matter what your level of experience, your connection to the text will soar in small groups and partner study.
**Please note that this session will run for 90 minutes.
Get Stoned at Chevruta Project, Day Four
Climax of Stone as Metaphor in Torah
Ritual and Prayer,
Text and Thought
Our next set of texts for chevruta regarding the term stone as a portal to higher consciousness will get you higher than anything. Through group and partner study, you will find that the Adon Olam will never be the same for you again. Come get soul-stoned as we reach the climax of the Chevruta Project. The session will include a creative review.
**Please note that this session will run for 90 minutes.
