Special Classes and Electives
Over the centuries, Kabbalists have focused their text-based teachings by adding the dimension of metaphor to the traditional interpretation of Torah. The most radical of their suggestions was the affirmation that a ânew Torahâ will be revealed through the creativity of seeing the text as fluid and reconfiguring in new forms. In parallel fashion to how Wicked retells the story of the Wizard of Oz, we will delve into the story of Eve and Adam in the Garden of Eden to formulate a ânew old storyâ which foreshadows the evolution of humankind.
Tuesdays 12:00pm-1:30pm Mountain Time/ 2pm Eastern (Class meets: July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, and 19)
We will embark on a journey through the highest level of Tree of Life/ sefirot this summer, doing a deep dive into keter, chochma, binah and da’at. With community, conversation and creativity we will explore the Kabbalistic Tree of Life through our creative lens- using watercolor, pencil, collage, or whichever medium speaks to you.
Please bring your own journal or art pad and favorite tools to create. Pens, paints and markers will be provided (in-person)
Mondays 9:00-10:30am Mountain Time / 11am Eastern (Class Meets: July 7, 14, 21, 29, August 4, 11, and 18)Â
Thursdays 9:30-11:00am Mountain Time / 11:30am Eastern (Class Meets: July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14, and 21)
Do We Have Free Will? An in-depth inquiry from Neuroscience and Kabbalah
The Buddhist trained devotee, Leonard Cohen, stated emphatically that while we have a sense that we make choices as if we are running the show this is only an illusion. In his view, corroborated by most neuroscientists, âwe donât determine what we are going to see next, hear next, taste next, feel next or think nextâ and choose next. There is no Self or Soul as an arbiter. For Kabbalah, and some neuroscientists it is the soulâs self-aware consciousness which provides the capacity to breaking free from what appears determined by nature and nurture. Edith Egerâs book, The Choice, will add further dimensions to the bold and unpredictable choices we are guided to consider for our spiritual growth.
- Tuesdays 10:00-11:30am Mountain Time / 12pm Eastern with Dr. David Sanders (Class Meets: July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, and 19)
Reb Zalman fashioned himself a Modern-Day Kabbalist who as a personal heir to the tragedy of the Holocaust, saw a need for religious life to evolve humanity. I first encountered Reb Zalman in 1986 when he was living in Philadelphia. Our relationship deepened when our paths crossed again in Colorado. Reb Zalman dedicated the
opening of Kabbalah Experience in south Denver in 2010. This course will draw from my personal relationship with him, excerpts from his writings, and his voluminous public talks filled with his pragmatic and bold wisdom. We will also view the documentary The Jew in the Lotus which portrays Reb Zalmanâs ongoing relationship with the Dalai Lama.
- Wednesdays 12:00-1:30pm Mountain Time / 2pm Eastern with Dr. David Sanders (Class Meets: July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug 6, 13, and 20)
Radical Roots of Religion 2.0 – engaging traditional religious tools to overcome the worst pitfall of religion, tribalism.
A Study of Rabbi Shapiro’s Book, Judaism without Tribalism
(no prerequisite required – you do not need to have taken the spring class)
Classes are offered in-person and virtually through Zoom
Wednesdays 9:00am-10:30am Mountain Time/ 11am Eastern (Class meets: July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, and 20)
Musar offers a framework and a toolkit for translating the philosophical wisdom of kabbalah into a personalized, ongoing spiritual discipline. In this “Introduction to Mussar” we will do a deep dive into a new translation and commentary on the classical musar text, “Pathways of Moral Leadership” [Orchot Tzadiqim]. Join us as we explore the qualities of character of pride and humility.
Classes are offered in-person and virtually through Zoom
Wednesdays 10:30am-12:00pm Mountain Time/ 12:30pm Eastern (Class meets: July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, and 20)
The Enneagram is much more than a system of assessing personality types. It has been honed over centuries as a means of framing and fostering spiritual growth. Like Kabbalah, the origin of this system is cloaked in mystery, but the parallels with the Tree of Life and Kabbalah are too many to ignore. Let’s explore them together.
This class will be offered virtually through Zoom only (not offered in-person)
Fridays 9:30am-10:45am Mountain Time/ 11:30am Eastern (Class meets: July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, and 22)
Soul transmigration (Gilgul Neshamot) was introduced into Judaism by the Kabbalah masters of France and Spain in the 12th and 13th century. Reincarnation speaks to our awareness of self-identity as it takes on new forms through different lifetimes. We explore the philosophic, scientific and spiritual understandings of reincarnation and offer the experience of a guided group regression for access to your prior life experiences with Bliss Holland.
Wednesdays 10:00am – 11:30am Mountain Time / 12pm Eastern (Class Meets: July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, and 20)Â
Tuesdays 7:00pm – 8:30pm Mountain Time / 9pm Eastern (Class Meets: July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, and 19)Â
This class will be offered virtually through Zoom only (not offered in-person)
- Fridays 8:00am-9:00am Mountain Time/ 10am Eastern (Class meets: July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, and 22)
