Scholar in Residence | Berkeley

Free
at Congregation Netivot Shalom
1316 University Avenue
Berkeley, CA

Join Congregation Netivot Shalom in welcoming Jay Michaelson as their scholar in residence. Jay will be teaching Friday night and Shabbat afternoon.

Evolving Dharma: How the “Meditation Revolution” is Changing Judaism | Friday

By now, it’s not unusual for American Jews to meditate, to do so in Jewish contexts, and to mix and match among Jewish, Buddhist, and other forms.

But how do we get beyond “Meditation 101” and get serious about personal and social transformation? How does the current “meditation revolution” impact how we think about Jewish practice? And how can we tailor our practice to specific, achievable goals?

Discriminating in the Name of Religion: What You Need to Know | Saturday

If you”ve followed the news, you know that the latest tactic to limit the rights of women, LGBT people, and others is the use of “religious exemptions.” Companies say they shouldn’t have to provide contraception insurance because their owners don’t believe in it. Hotels and banquet halls say they should be able to turn away gay people.

Where did this new assault come from? In this unusual social justice text study, we will learn, interactively, about the history and theology of this movement, and understand what we can do to be aware of and combat it.