Just as healthy foods nourish us through the blood stream, so Jewish meditation nourishes our “soul stream.” Meditation can be transformative, taking us from the intellectual awareness of ourselves to a deeper spiritual practice that links us to Judaism in the most profound way. Each mitzvah, holy day and cycle of life has its own rhythm, nuance, taste and character. Jewish meditation is a practice of infusing their essence into our daily spiritual lives.

Ready to give it a try? Join us (usually) on the first and third Sunday of each month from 1pm – 3pm. No previous meditation experience necessary.  This opportunity is free and open to all. Congregation Beth Israel, 229 Murdock Ave. in North Asheville.

January 17, 2020, 12-1

Last Friday, we officially began our discussion of the prefatory material and first two chapters of Rabbi David Wolpe’s Why Faith Matters. Among other issues, we 1) shared some ideas to Wolpe’s question, “Can I believe that we all live in the presence of God?”; 2) got into the difficulties of defining terms like “faith” or “religion”; 3) talked about believing in something that could not be proven empirically; 4) discussed what we perceived as “miracles” as they appeared in everyday observation; and 5) discussed “What inclines us to believe?”:  fear, impulse to responsibility, genetics, wonder, and need for relationship (with community and/or God).

This Friday, we will begin with some of our personal responses to questions Wolpe poses toward the end of Chapter 2 (p. 37):  “Why are we here?  Why is anything here?” and we’ll also discuss Wolpe’s claim that “each of us has a specific call from God” (from p. 212 of the Study Guide).  Then we’ll talk about Ch. 3 (“Does Religion Cause Violence?”) of Why Faith Matters.  Expect some lively discussion.

Our informal discussion group meets every Friday from 12-1 in the CBI Library.  All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous noon study group discussions. Why Faith Matters is available on a variety of internet outlets.  If you have questions, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.

Join us for a participatory, high-energy Shabbat service, sure to inspire, uplift, educate and engage. Be sure to hang around for food and schmoozing at our Kiddish lunch.

Multi-Gen Tu biShvat Program

All are invited to join the Youth Education staff and students for a special multi-generational holiday program this Sunday from 10:00am-noon.  Come learn, nosh and enjoy!

Tu BiShvat Seder at CBI

Sunday, February 9, 6;00pm at Congregation Beth Israel, 229 Murdock Ave.

The Kabbalists created the seder of Tu Bishvat as a “tikkun” — a ritual of repair. By eating fruits and nuts with special mindfulness, we strive to repair our own spiritual brokenness and the brokenness of a world which is not yet as we and God most wish it to be.

A veggie/dairy potluck will follow the seder.

January 17, 2020, 12-1

Last Friday, we officially began our discussion of the prefatory material and first two chapters of Rabbi David Wolpe’s Why Faith Matters. Among other issues, we 1) shared some ideas to Wolpe’s question, “Can I believe that we all live in the presence of God?”; 2) got into the difficulties of defining terms like “faith” or “religion”; 3) talked about believing in something that could not be proven empirically; 4) discussed what we perceived as “miracles” as they appeared in everyday observation; and 5) discussed “What inclines us to believe?”:  fear, impulse to responsibility, genetics, wonder, and need for relationship (with community and/or God).

This Friday, we will begin with some of our personal responses to questions Wolpe poses toward the end of Chapter 2 (p. 37):  “Why are we here?  Why is anything here?” and we’ll also discuss Wolpe’s claim that “each of us has a specific call from God” (from p. 212 of the Study Guide).  Then we’ll talk about Ch. 3 (“Does Religion Cause Violence?”) of Why Faith Matters.  Expect some lively discussion.

Our informal discussion group meets every Friday from 12-1 in the CBI Library.  All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous noon study group discussions. Why Faith Matters is available on a variety of internet outlets.  If you have questions, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.