ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal is proud to present Tikshoret, a new online adult education initiative. We aim to offer adults an opportunity to dive deeply into the spiritual and educational gifts of Jewish Renewal. Tikshoret tuition is intentionally low to welcome a diverse group of learners.
The Hebrew word Tikshoret comes from the root for “deep connection,” and that’s what these classes are designed to be: an opportunity to connect with the riches of our tradition. These exciting classes will be taught by teachers and rabbis from across the Jewish Renewal world. Through this highly accessible online platform, we seek to inspire, engage, challenge, and explore the mysteries of the past with an eye towards contemporary spiritual practice and creating personally meaningful Jewish experiences.
We hope that you will join us on this sacred journey!
Upcoming Tikshoret Teachers include:
Past Tikshoret Classes:
Eve and Lilith: Secrets of the Creation of the Divine Feminine
Instructor: Shoshanna R. Schecter-Shaffin
Wednesdays, March 30, April 6, 13 & 20
8:30pm-10pm Eastern Time
(Photo by: Janice Rubin)
How much do you really know about the Biblical Eve and mythical Lilith? In this participatory 4 part class we will draw on archaeology, ancient ethnographies, actual Biblical text and midrash as we deeply “rediscover” Eve and Lilith and their connections to the ancient Divine Feminine.
Please note: All texts will be taught in translation, no Hebrew background is necessary.
Cost: $125
Registration Closed
Shoshanna Schechter-Shaffin is a feminist blogger, writer, non-traditional Rebbetzin and career Jewish Educator and Jewish Professional. She is the Executive Director of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal and serves on the faculty of the Department of Religious Studies and Women's Studies at Randolph-Macon College. Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, Shoshanna is a graduate of the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland and a Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies with a focus on Jewish Women’s and Gender Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is married to Rabbi Royi Shaffin from Congregation Or Atid in Richmond, Virginia and is the mother of three verbose and vivacious daughters, Netanya, Elianna, and Kinneret.
Writing the Psalms of Our Hearts
Instructor: Rabbi Rachel Barenblat
The psalms are a deep repository of praise, thanksgiving, grief, and exaltation, one of our communal tools for connecting with God. In this class, each of us will become a psalmist. We’ll awaken our spirits and hearts by praying select psalms together, warm up our intellectual muscles with writing exercises, and enter into a safe space for creativity as we each write our own psalms. After sharing our psalms aloud and sharing our responses to each others’ work, we’ll close by davening together once more.
Learn more about Rabbi Rachel Barenblat