The Spiral by Dori Midnight
Join us throughout the month of Elul for conversations and activities designed to help you prepare for the Days of Awe. Draw inspiration from Joanna Macy’s (z”l) Work That Reconnects together with the study of sephirot from mystical Jewish tradition to reflect on the year gone by and gear up for what lies ahead. (Read more on waking up to the season in this post from last year).
Week 1: Saturday, August 23: 11 am @ ArborFest Pop-Up Shabbat
(Hod + Grounding in Gratitude)
Joanna Macy taught the importance of starting difficult work with gratitude. Our love for the world and one another fuels our good intentions, sustaining us in times of trouble, and it doesn’t cost a penny. Joanie & Jodi will lead this BONUS Shabbat service inviting gratitude for the natural world and all living beings.
Week 2: Thursday, August 28: 7-8:15 pm (KSS Zoom link shared with RSVP)
(Netzach + Honoring Our Pain for the World)
Join Jodi to explore the concept of netzach (endurance) alongside the second part of Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects spiral,”Honoring Our Pain for the World.”
Week 3: Sunday, September 7th @6-7pm (KSS Zoom link shared with RSVP)
(Gevurah + Seeing with Ancient Eyes)
Meet Léah Miller, our guest spiritual leader for the upcoming High Holy Days of Awe. Léah will guide us in working with the divine attribute of gevurah, defined as discipline and strength, while sharing their creative practices and love for hiddur mitzvah, or the commandment to beautify our Jewish practices and objects as we explore the third part of Joanna Macy’s Work that Reconnects spiral, “Seeing with New & Ancient Eyes.”
Week 4: Saturday, September 13th: 2-3:30pm – @ Location shared with RSVP
(Chesed + Going Forth)
For the final week of Elul, Doug will lead us through cooperative problem-solving exercises he used as an educator working with Israeli and Palestinian young people in a program he called “Nachsonim,” after the Biblical figure who was the first to dare enter the Red Sea after it parted. Come prepared to consider how harnessing the power of chesed (loving kindness), and working in community, can help us prepare to realize the fourth part of Joanna Macy’s Work that Reconnects sprial, “Going Forth.”
NOTE: This session open to participants ages 15+
RSVP by email to jodi@sukkatshalomcolumbus.org