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Mystical Encounters: Three Thursdays in May Sponsored by Nishmat Hayyim: The Breath of Life Jewish Meditation Collaborative, The Coolidge Corner Chevre (CJP Synagogue Fund), The Brookline Clergy Association and Ruah Spirituality Institute. Over the last 25 years, Nishmat Hayyim's Founder and Spiritual Leader, Reb Moshe Waldoks has been engaged in building bridges between and among various faith communities. As part of these efforts we have organized an opportunity for three "Mystical Encounters" on three Thursday evenings in May in Brookline, MA. We hope you can join us for all or some of this series. All sessions will include meditative practice and are held from 7:00PM-9:00PM at various locations in Brookline, MA. Contemplative Christianity and Contemplative Judaism Prof. Mark Burrows of Andover Newton Theological Seminary and Rabbi Moshe Waldoks, Temple Beth Zion and Nishmat Hayyim, Breath of Life Jewish Meditation Collaborative of New England May 1, 2008 - 7:00PM-9:00PM       Temple Beth Zion       1566 Beacon Street       Brookline, MA 02446       (617) 566-8191 Judaism and Sufism May 8, 2008 - 7:00PM-9:00PM Rabbi Moshe Waldoks, Aqil and Khabira Brown, Sufi Order International of Greater Boston       All Saints Parish       1773 Beacon Street       Brookline, MA 02446       (617) 738-1810 Judaism and Buddhism May 15, 2008 - 7:00PM-9:00PM Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, Institute for Jewish Spirituality, and Tenzin Priyadarshi, Buddhist Chaplain, MIT. Moderated by: Rabbi Moshe Waldoks       Temple Sinai       50 Sewall Ave.       Brookline, MA 02446       (617) 277-5888 Cost: $10 suggested donation per session $25 for all three sessions Click here to register Ruah Spirituality Institute 1773 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02445 (617) 277-0036

NEW DATES Meditation is the Gate of Holiness: Sha'arei Kedushah of Rabbi Hayyim Vital, Part 4 with Rabbi Meir Sendor Cosponsored with The Adult Learning Committee of Temple Beth Zion 5 Wednesdays May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 2008 7:00PM-9:00PM       Temple Beth Zion       1566 Beacon St.       Brookline, MA 02446 Tuition: $125 - call the TBZ office at 617-566-8171 ext. 14 and charge it. It's easy. The fourth part of this important 16th century kabbalistic text had been considered too esoteric for general publication, and has only appeared in print relatively recently. It is a collection and discussion of kabbalistic meditation methods and a deep exploration of the nature of human consciousness. We will practice some of the meditations presented and examine the way these techniques can enrich our spiritual lives. These exercises for spiritual growth are especially appropriate for the period of Sefirat Ha-Omer. This course is designed for those with at least some prior experience in meditation. Rabbi Meir Sendor received his Ph.D from Harvard University where he studied medieval Jewish history, specifically the history of Jewish mysticism. Rabbi Sendor received his ordination at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. He is a faculty member of Me'ah and the Me'ah Graduate Institute. As well, he is the rabbi of Young Israel in Sharon, MA, where he has been the spiritual leader for more than twenty years. Deadline for registration extended - Thursday, May 9th Pre-registration necessary for this course

Norman Fischer comes to TBZ as Scholar-in-Residence Book Talk, Contemplative Shabbat and Afternoon Practice Co-sponsored with TBZ Adult Learning Committee Norman Fischer, co-founder of Makor Or, Jewish Meditation Center in San Francisco and former abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center, has been practicing and teaching meditation for more than three decades. Author of Opening to You, a Zen inspired translation of the Psalms and facilitator of many Jewish meditation programs, Norman has spent the past several years engaging Judaism through contemplation and meditation, working with Rabbis Alan Lew, Jeff Schwartz, and Joanna Katz. Learn more about Norman Fischer in the article The Awakened Heart Jewish Meditation Retreat: March 2008 by Nishmat Hayyim teacher, Bobbi Isberg Sailing Home: Using the Wisdom of Homer's Odyssey to Navigate Life's Perils and Pitfalls Book Talk with Norman Fischer Thursday, July 17, 2008 More information to come Share an evening of teaching, meditation and book signing with one of the most respected Zen teachers in the country. Norman Fischer's Sailing Home reveals the universal lessons and profound personal guidance within Homer's classic Greek epic. Deftly incorporating Buddhist, Judaic, Christian and popular thought, as well as his own unique sympathetic understanding of life, Norman Fischer reinterprets Odysseus's familiar wanderings as lessons that everyone can use. Click here to read more about Sailing Home. Contemplative Shabbaton with Norman Fischer Kabbalat Shabbat Services Friday, July 18, 2008 from 6:00-8:00PM Our contemplative Kabbalat Shabbat Service includes meditation, prayer and learning together followed by Oneg. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP if you plan to attend Friday night Oneg. E-mail office@nishmathayyim.org or call (617) 566-8171 x20. Shabbat Day of Meditation, Services, Teaching and Contemplative Prayer Saturday, July 19, 2008 9:00AM - 12:30PM Our contemplative Shabbat Day includes meditation, prayer and learning together followed by Kiddush. All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP if you plan to attend Saturday morning Kiddush. E-mail office@nishmathayyim.org or call (617) 566-8171 x20. Afternoon Practice with Norman Fischer Saturday, July 19, 2008 1:30PM - 5:30PM More to come... All are welcome to attend. Please RSVP if you plan to attend RSVP for Afternoon Practice. office@nishmathayyim.org (617) 566-8171 x20

Silence and Contemplative Chant with Yocheved Katz 4 Tuesdays July 22, 29, August 5, 12 7:00PM-8:30PM Join us in Hebrew chant and silent meditation, forms of Jewish contemplative practice that cultivate awakening to the present, to the presence of each other, and to the Presence within all being. Make space for that "still small voice" that gets buried under the cacophony of demands on our attention. Through chant and meditation we build a mishkan, holy space, as a source of awareness and strength to be with What Is. Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.       Temple Ohabei Shalom       1187 Beacon Street       Brookline, MA 02446       617-277-6610       www.ohabei.org Cost: $80        Back to Top

Introduction to Jewish Meditation with Seth Castleman 5 weeks May, June or July Location to be determined For modern day Jews, meditation has the potential to be a gateway to Ruach ha-Kodesh, the spirit of holiness. Torah, Rabbinic, Kabbalistic, Hassidic and contemporary texts will act as guidebooks to learning meditation practices and practical everyday techniques. Contemporary psychology and research in mind-body medicine will be integrated with Jewish teaching and practices. Focus on intention and attention opens the door to infinite possibilities. No previous meditation experience required, yet this course is also appropriate for seasoned meditators interested in Jewish sources and practices.

Scholar-in-Residence Shefa Gold Selichot Chant Service Saturday September 20, 2008 More details to come Day Long Retreat Sunday, September 21, 2008 9:30AM - 4:40PM More details to come Chanting the special prayers of Selichot/Repentance during the month preceding Rosh Hashanah transforms the words of liturgy and Torah into doorways of expanded consciousness. The penitential prayers - shir and shevach - song and praise are repeated as a sacred phrase in a way that moves between chant and silence making space for the wisdom of The Divine and the treasures of our heart to unfold. Rabbi Shefa Gold is particularly known for Jewish devotional chanting. This type of chanting is a form of meditation that can open the doors of the heart and spirit. Repetition of a sacred Hebrew phrases can clear the mind of clutter, connecting us to each other and the divine.

Scholar-in-Residence Sylvia Boorstein Sylvia Boorstein is a beloved meditation teacher and bestselling author of many books including That's Funny, You Don't Look Buddhist: On Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist, and her newest book, Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life. Meditation & Teachings Thursday, January 29, 2009 More details to come Contemplative Shabbaton Kabbalat Shabbat Services Friday, January 30, 2009 6:00PM-8:00PM Shabbat Day of Meditation, Services, Teaching and Contemplative Prayer Saturday, January 31, 2009 9:00AM - 12:30PM Afternoon Practice with Sylvia Boorstein Saturday, January 31, 2009 1:30PM-5:30PM Temple Beth Zion More details to come