A rabbi and a roshi sat down to read Buber... More than a set-up for another inter-religious joke, this real-life occurrence has given rise to a rich exploration of spirit, mystical tradition and menschlichkeit, that untranslatable Yiddishism pointing to the condition of human decency and skillful means.

Join Rabbi David and Roshi Ken in close readings of Martin Buber’s The Legend of the Ba’al Shem—stories about the founder of the Hasidic movement—with touchpoints from both Jewish mystical and Zen traditions. We’ll explain inherent kabbalistic concepts, as well as introduce Zen koans* that reflect similar (or divergent) viewpoints. Most of all, we will enjoy the stories and the thrill of deep learning and spontaneous insight. 

Students will be encouraged to take the teachings into their lives and bring reflections back to class from week to week. No previous knowledge of Hasidism or Zen is necessary, and the stories will all be read in the English translation.

Registration is open, cost is on a sliding scale.

This is 6-week course, presented by Yerusha’s Institute For Deep Ecumenism, runs Wednesdays (except Thanksgiving Week) from 7:30pm - 9:30pm Eastern time.

With any questions, please contact office@yerusha.org or visit yerusha.org.

*Koan: a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.