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Newsletters#1 - Winter, 1996-97
B'erot Bat Ayin is off to
a great beginning. Our Elul weekend seminar entitled, "My Beloved
and I" attracted twelve women who explored the Jewish outlook
on relationships, dating and marriage. Relating to G-d was highlighted
as well, through an in- depth analysis of the Lecha Dodi Shabbat
hymn and an experiential session in Jewish Meditation.
Almost thirty women experienced being "Within the Cloud"
at our Sukkot Seminar. The learning of sources from the Bible and
Midrash about the Divine Presence manifested in the "Cloud
of Glory" was followed by a meditative experience and a movement
/ dance session. The one-day seminar culminated in a "jam"
session at the Maayan- natural spring.
At our Chanukah seminar we focused on the multifaceted dimension
of light in Judaism and within ourselves. Besides delving into the
meaning of light from a Jewish perspective, the problematic nature
of defining light from the viewpoint of physics was highlighted.
The afternoon session was devoted to self-discovery and expression
through collage-making and painting.
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Upcoming Event:Fruit
for Thought Tu B'Shvat One-Day Seminar
(For Women Only) Time: Thursday January 23 From 9:30 AM until 4:30
PM
Program: With an
authentic Tu' B'Shvat Seder serving as the focal point of the day,
we will delve into Jewish sources on eating, explore our relationship
with food and practice eating for the sake of Heaven. If the weather
permits the program will also include planting saplings in the spirit
of the day.
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Our Students Speak:"I
really enjoyed the flow of classes combined with hikes and meditation."
Keter Ester Figlio"The art project allowed us to consciously
and/or unconsciously express ourselves together during the Festival
of Light." Alyssa Abrahamson"I would love the opportunity
to study here on a more long term, in-depth basis." Jenny Simblist
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What Does it Mean?
We call our program B'erot Bat Ayin. What Does it
Mean? - Wellsprings of Jewish Learning.
Bat Ayin is the name of the Yishuv (settlement) where our seminars
take place. The name has several meanings: One of them is a spring
or natural source of water. In traditional texts, Torah is likened
to water, because of its life-giving properties.
Removed from the distractions of daily, city life, Bat Ayin offers
the ideal environment to become immersed in the waters of Torah.
B'erot is the plural form of B'er which means well. Combining the
two, into the name B'erot Bat Ayin, is meant to symbolize the merging
of the spring which flows by itself, as a gift from above, and the
well which needs to be dug from below, by our own efforts, to reach
the depth. The aspect of the well requires that we exert ourselves
to dig deeply within our traditions and within ourselves, to discover
the hidden Torah and bring it up to the surface. We use "wells"
in the plural, rather than the singular, because just as all wells
ultimately receive their water from the same fountain, similarly,
the Torah has seventy facets all of which derive from the same Source.
Our learning methods at B'erot Bat Ayin do not limit students to
one outlook or approach. Instead, we encourage each student to express
Torah in her own personal way, always remaining connected to the
foundation of Torah as put forward by the sages of Israel. The well,
where many of the biblical heroes met their soul-mates is also a
symbol of fertility in Judaism. We aspire to nourish and encourage
our students to plant their roots in the fertile soil of Torah and
to blossom and multiply. Our practical goal is to help prepare them
to meet their soul-mates as they proceed along their life's path
as women of valor.
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***What's Cooking***
We welcome Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat who has honored
us by joining the advisory board of B'erot Bat Ayin. He has even
offered to walk from Efrat on Shabbat to teach in a weekend seminar
at B'erot Bat Ayin - more than an hour's walk!
Research, as well as feed back from our students has made clear
the need for the kind of programs we offer at B'erot Bat Ayin on
an on-going basis. To meet this need, we are planning to expand
and start a full time program next year. Our staff includes experienced
professionals in fields of Judaism, art, music, movement therapy,
self discovery and healing, as well as several tour guides. Their
enthusiasm to help establish B'erot Bat Ayin is demonstrated by
their willingness, so far, to teach voluntarily. Yasher Koach!
To accommodate our students, even for weekend seminars, we need
facilities. B'erot Bat Ayin has, therefore, entered the process
of acquiring our own caravans to provide housing for our students.
The cost of caravan installation, upkeep and monthly rental constitute
a substantial expense. We rely on our generous supporters to help
materialize the vision of B'erot Bat Ayin.
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Thanks For Your Support:
Congregation Shomrei Torah $180
Dr. Stephen & Penina Greenspan $100
Dr. Seth & Lisa Kaufman $100
Leonard & Dianna Lubin $100
Dr. David & Arlynn Mirvis $100
Cantor Aryeh & Adina Samberg $100
Samuel & Yitty Salomon $100
Rabbi Andre Unger $100
Mr. Jack Belz $72
Ilya & Barbara Meshchaninov $52
Rabbi Larry & Malkie Katz $50
Rabbi Menachem & Sarah Genack $50
Dr. Howard & Chana Wasserman $50
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