Diaspora Chevrutah

Led by

David Ponet

About

This Chevrutah will examine the themes of home and exile in the world through the lens of Hannah Arendt, Jean Amery, Edward Said, and others. Jean Amery, an Auschwitz survivor, asks “How much home does a person need” which forces us to think about the nature of home and exile and to ask ourselves whether we can feel at home in a world characterized by Auschwitz, Darfur, Gaza, Ukraine and all the rest. Arendt navigates the home/exile dialectic in numerous ways, whether by reporting on the ‘banality of evil’ or reflecting on the ineliminable forces of plurality and natality that characterize the human condition. The Palestinan American intellectual Edward Said wrote about the “essential association between exile and nationalism” and asked “What is there worth saving and holding on to between the extremes of exile on the one hand, and the often bloody-minded affirmations of nationalism on the other? Do nationalism and exile have any intrinsic attributes? Are they simply two conflicting varieties of paranoia?” Through a selection of texts we will consider the meaning of home, exile, and the place of diaspora.

Dates

Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 @ 8 PM

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Yoga With You

Led by

Rebeca Gutierrez

About

Beginner friendly slow flow yoga class focusing on deep stretches, allowing you to release stored tension and reconnect with your body, mind and spirit. We will move with intention, dip our toes into breathwork and relax in meditation. Bring a pillow, a blanket and see you on the mat!

Bring a pillow, yoga mat, blocks if available to you, and blanket!

$10 per person per session

Dates

Mondays @ 7 AM AND Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM

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Women Of The Bible

Led by

Elana Ponet

About

In response to the experiences and climate of the past months and looking forward to the months ahead, we will be focusing on women as warriors. In the Biblical era we’ll spend time with Yael, Devorah, Judith… There is so much to learn from these brave, resilient models. And now we watch with hope, a new era in this country during which women warrior leaders could bring wisdom and Joy to the forefront.

Dates

Oct. 30, Nov. 20, Dec. 4 @ 7:30 PM

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Folk Dancing

About

Interested in learning Israeli Folk Dancing or reviving your skills? A group of us is planning to attend Thursday evening classes sponsored by Machol Manhattan beginning on October 31. Lessons begin at 7:30 at the gym at Manhattan Country School, 150 West 85th Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus. if you have time for a nosh beforehand, we'll be meeting at Viand (85th and Columbus) at 6pm.

Dates & Location

Begins Nov. 7 @ 7:30 PM

Gym at Manhattan Country School (85th and Columbus)

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Meditation: An Introduction

Led by

Michael Posnick

About

Led by Michael Posnick, meditation opens the way to greater awareness, to living in the present with greater clarity and freedom. Seeing things as they are allows us to accept what is and to act according to need. Meditation is a means of self -discovery and wholehearted participation in the divine play of creation. 

Useful preparation: Jack Kornfield's Meditation for Beginners

Dates

Wednesdays @ 8:45-10:00 AM

Email Michael to Join.

Torah Byte

Led by

Rabbi Misha Shulman

About

"A weekly midday Torah study in which we can take a break from our nonsense and look at the weekly Torah portion and related ideas. This year we will be looking at the Haftarah of each parsha to see what the prophets have to say to us. I'd love to learn with you!"
-Rabbi Misha.

*Join the Simchat Torah Challenge, where UJA are building a community of Jews who are pledging to read the weekly Torah portion. 

Dates

Thursdays @ noon

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