Sample Programs

MAKE ME ONE WITH EVERYTHING: JUDAISM ENCOUNTERS BUDDHISM

Is emptiness nothingness? If I let go of my neuroses, am I still Jewish? These and other tangled questions arise for the thousands of Jews who have found themselves drawn to Eastern spiritual practices. In this hands-on program, Alexander leads participants through an experience of Jewish mindfulness with depth and humor, offering a way in to explore this fascinating cross-pollination of cultures.

iMAGGID: FINDING YOUR JEWISH STORY

How is it that stories as different as Jacob wrestling the angel, the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" may all be called Jewish stories? In this program, we dive deep into the richness of Jewish storytelling, exploring our own relationship to ancient tradition, family history, and personal identity, and emerging with the seed of a story to cultivate ourselves.

THE WINGED ENERGY OF DELIGHT: WORKING WITH THE METAPHOR OF ANGELS

The Jewish tradition is full of rich encounters with angels. We welcome them on Friday night, seek their protection in four directions before we sleep, and perhaps wrestle with them in our dreams. But what is the deeper resonance of these mysterious messengers who mediate between us and the powerful invisible energies that shape our lives? In this workshop we will use scripture, contemporary poetry and expressive writing to explore how the metaphor of angels can help us in our own invisible work, deepening our prayers, guiding us through transitions, and offering access to the innate wisdom and vision within each of us.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A LADDER: JACOB AND THE JOURNEY TO OUR AUTHENTIC SELF

Using Jacob's mind-bending dream in the wilderness as a jumping off point, this program leads listeners through a unique encounter with their inner life. We'll make use of classic Hasidic teachings, contemporary poetry, humor, and conversation to explore the opportunity for insight offered by one of the world's great mystical visions, in an accessible language utterly suited to today.

THE SACRIFICE OF ABRAHAM: WILD RETELLINGS OF THE AKEDAH

Join Alexander for a wild ride through one of our tradition's foundational stories. Through retelling after retelling, each more imaginative and thought-provoking than the last, the story reveals a deep resonance for today: the universal reverberations of history and family trauma, and our uncanny proximity to the sacred. The text leads naturally to a profound, fruitful dialog for the listeners.