Congregation Shalom Rav's new Kabbalah School is teaching more than Kabbalah
Article from October 15, 2007

Kabbalah School is the title of Congregation Shalom Rav's new, innovative adult education program, but it might just as well be called "Kabbalah plus."

Kabbalah School is a two-hour program for adults and adolescents held from 3-5 p.m. every Sunday from September through May, at a private home in north Austin just minutes from the Jewish Community Center.

The program is led by Rabbi Monty Eliasov, a scholar and respected authority on ancient Jewish history and practices, including Kabbalah. "Rabbi Monty," as he is known, is the program's founder, director and guiding spirit, but he gladly shares the spotlight with several members of his congregation, who willingly contribute their special expertise on a wide variety of subjects. All this makes the Kabbalah School program a unique educational offering within Austin's Jewish community. In fact, students don't even have to be Jewish, just willing to learn.

In keeping with Shalom Rav's belief that "every member counts," the Kabbalah School program relies on its members' initiative and enthusiasm for their individual areas of study.

Rabbi Monty leads the first hour, presenting the basics of Kabbalah, which is, he says, "part and parcel of the Torah and therefore a most ancient heritage." The Kabbalah, he adds, "is the psychological and archetypal study of the Torah, and yields guidance and common sense in a world that prefers propaganda and deception." Although the Kabbalah's inherently esoteric nature may seem at once forbidding and entrancing to people who have little knowledge of it (which may go a long way toward explaining its present popularity as an 'in' thing everywhere from Tel Aviv to Hollywood), Shalom Rav's course aims to seek out and make connections between Kabbalah and seemingly unrelated disciplines such as Dao (Tao), Tai Chi, Ju-Jitsu, aikido and the principles of the Ecokosher movement. It is these "body-mind-spirit" disciplines which are taught by members of Shalom Rav, who have become expert in these areas through their own study and practice.

"Kabbalah School," says Rabbi Monty, "provides a forum for adults to explore the connections between a number of insight-, body-, intellectual- and earth-oriented disciplines. The Kabbalah School teachers are all (from) member families of Shalom Rav, and this type of forum brings us closer together as a learning community, helping us share our very distinct paths with each other."

The first presenter, Brigitte Edery, is currently teaching "An Introduction to Hatha Yoga Chakra by Chakra," with supervised yoga stretches and exercises. Each session focuses on one of the Seven Chakras. Edery's primary focus is on postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama), but she also touches on yoga philosophies and history. Edery has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and teaching for seven of them.

Upcoming presenters include:

David Nayer, who will present a course on learning the most essential Non-Violent Communication skills and philosophy, something which Nayer continuously integrates into his life and business.

Julie Aziz will present Learning Our Lives: An Exploration of Self and Purpose. Aziz holds a Masters in Social Work from UT Austin and an interfaith ministry ordination from One Spirit Interfaith Seminary, and has completed a Body Choir dance facilitation training in Santa Fe.

Josh Keller will present "Dao and Kabbalah: Is Our Spiritual Experience Universal." Keller will compare and contrast two leading spiritual traditions, which developed separately, yet with strikingly similar philosophical and mystical components. What do these traditions say about a universal spiritual experience? Keller studied Daoism in China for years, including as a graduate student in Nanjing University, and is fluent in Mandarin.

Lonnie Lepp will present a course in "Verbal Ju-Jitsu." This assumes there are more ignorant people than mean people in the world, and a compassionate approach to misbehavior is usually all that's necessary to resolve intrusive situations.

Judith McGeary, attorney and farmer, will present "Basic principles of eco-farming."

Finally, Heloise Gold, a well-known Austin teacher of Tai Chi and Chi Kung techniques, will present an "Introduction to Chi Kung and Tai Chi."

"We uphold the major teachers of psychology and secular sciences and reinforce the reality that their roots are firmly grounded in the Biblical traditions," says Rabbi Eliasov. "But without a comprehensive study of Kabbalah, we only get glimpses here and there of the glory of Torah."

Kabbalah School is open to Shalom Rav's post-Bnei Mitzvah students and to all interested adults, who may register for one course (anywhere from three to seven classes) or for one or both semesters. The cost is $10 per session for non-members of Shalom Rav (members pay $5 per session), including both the class with Rabbi Monty and the special presentation class which follows.

Congregation Shalom Rav ("Abundant Peace") is Austin's only combined Reconstructionist-affiliated and Renewal-sponsoring synagogue. Shalom Rav views Judaism as an evolving religious culture with roots in numerous spiritual traditions, and welcomes individuals and families of diverse backgrounds, inviting them to experience ancient traditions within a progressive American context of values.

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