Religion

Kabbalah for the Masses: Re-considering the Elitism of Medieval Jewish Mysticism

By Hartley Lachter

The perception of medieval Kabbalah as a carefully guarded, secret discourse is the result of an overemphasis on the claims of some of the early kabbalists, as well as a narrow selection of texts that have received disproportionate attention due to their prominence in later centuries. In fact, many medieval kabbalistic texts reflect an explicit desire to introduce Kabbalah to readers who are just beginning to study Jewish esoteric lore.

Events

God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality | Nashville

By Zeek Staff

Out Central, 6 pm
May 2, 2012
1709 Church Street, Nashville, TN

Religion

Chava Weissler: Tradition and Renewal

By Rachel Barenblat

Rachel Barenblat speaks with Chava Weissler, writer, scholar, and folklorist, about Jewish spirituality, the blurry boundaries of a participant-observer, and the Jewish life of “non-elites.”

Events

God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality | Boulder

By Zeek Staff

Boulder JCC
April 23, 2012
3800 Kalmia Avenue, Boulder, CO

Events

God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality | San Francisco

By Zeek Staff

Congregation Sha’ar Zahav April 20, 2012 7:00 pm 290 Dolores Street, San Francisco, CA

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Events

God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality | Portland

By Zeek Staff

At the Q Center April 15, 2012, 7 pm
9750 Southwest Terwilliger Boulevard, Portland, OR

Religion

Mandalas at the Mikveh

By Rabbi Haviva Ner-David

There is a strong tradition of writing intentions for mikveh immersion. Why not write one’s intention not merely in words, but in the form of a mandala or Shiviti? And so I found myself one winter evening with a circle of women around a table with a single candle, drawing paper, and various drawing and painting implements.

Culture

Feminist Art in Traditional and Religious Judaism

By David Sperber

Jewish feminist art by women active in the traditional religious world is still a marginal phenomenon in the general art world and in the Israeli art field in particular. This article, together with the first major exhibit in a museum to exhibit such work, “Matronita: Jewish Feminist Art” (The Museum of Art Ein Harod) invites a reflection on the complexities of the feminist Jewish religious experience. David Sperber, one of the curators of the exhibition (with Dvora Liss), here reviews the artistic horizons of this fascinating dialogue.

Events

God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality | Boston

By Zeek Staff

Harvard University Hillel
Thursday, March 29, 7 pm
52 Mount Auburn Street