"From Tiberias With Love" Course Registration

We’re pleased to announce From Tiberias With Love: Letters of Spiritual Direction from 1777 Community in Eretz Yisrael, a four-session mini-course that will meet at 8 a.m. on Thursdays in March (2, 9, 16, 23), immediately following morning minyan.Does distance really make the heart grow fonder? What would you do if your spiritual leader and core community left your diasporic home to return to Eretz Yisrael? How would you continue your spiritual journey in the diaspora while remaining committed to your teachers and colleagues now settled far away?These questions resonate as we reconsider the neglected history of Yishuv Aliya, the immigration of Hasidim in 1777, which consisted of several hundred people who arrived at the same time. At its head were four Hasidic leaders of White Russia: R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, R. Abraham of Kalisk, R. Zvi Hirsch of Smorytzsch, and R. Israel of Plock. The caravan set out in March 1777 from Eastern Europe and arrived in Eretz Yisrael, via Istanbul, in September of the same year.Historians have different opinions about the causes of this immigration, but there can be no doubt that this conscious community was seeking an intimate experience of egalitarian fellowship built upon unique approaches to Torah and tefillah that can inspire our own search.  Of special interest then are fifteen igrot, or “Letters of Love,” penned by R. Menahem Mendel of Vitebsk and R. Avraham haKohen of Kalisk that served as long distance spiritual direction primarily to Hasidim in Eastern Europe. By examining this ongoing correspondence as a form of spiritual direction, we will explore the creative spiritual tensions between mind-centered techniques (HaBaD) in relation to heart-centered techniques (HaGaT) of the spiritual life in community.Bi-lingual texts will be distributed. No prior knowledge of Hebrew or Hasidism required; the syllabus will be made available to those who register.



FAQs
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
This is a class for teens and adults.
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
CBS is easily accessible via public transportation. We are conveniently located near the 38 and 28 line Muni stop lines on Geary Boulevard, the 1 line on California Street, and the 2 line on Clement.Street parking is available around CBS, although it can sometimes be challenging to find parking on our block. During the time of this event, there are no parking restrictions in effect. 
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Email khegg [at] bethsholomsf [dot] org with any questions or call 415.221.8736. 
What's the refund policy?
Refunds can be requested and made up until 24 hours prior to the event.