Limmud Miami 2020: Full Schedule

11:00am EST

Jewish Tai Chi --- Ahava Raba

By means of gentle, easy movements and breathing exercises derived from Tai Chi & Chi Gung, we will learn concrete, repeatable tools that uncover the meaning of Ahava Raba or Big Love in Jewish practice. This session includes brief text study that corresponds to the theme. Exercises are done standing or sitting on chairs.

Speakers

Andrew Hahn

Rabbi, Musician, Jewish Studies Professor, Martial Artist, Kirtan Rabbi

Andrew Hahn is known as both the Kirtan Rabbi and â€” depending upon which phone booth he exits also as the Tai Chi Rabbi. He has pioneered Kirtan in the Jewish world, criss-crossing the world to offer communal "call and response" chant concerts and meditation seminars. Hahn... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 11:00am - 11:50am EST
Room 114 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

Company Yes

12:00pm EST

Identity Versus Status: Judaism and Patrilineal Descent

Why does one’s identification as Kohen, Levi or Yisrael go through the father whereas one’s identity goes through the mother? Why do some branches of Judaism embrace patrilineal descent (those born to a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother) and others do not? In this course we will examine the texts surrounding Judaism and patrilineal descent. We will look at responsa from the Conservative and Reform movements on this topic as well. There will be room for discussion but our focus will be studying the history and texts connected to Judaism and patrilineal descent.

Speakers

Benjamin Herman

Rabbi, Bet Shira Congregation

Ben Herman is rabbi at Bet Shira Congregation in Pinecrest. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and previously served congregations in Tucson and Long Island. In his spare time he likes to hike, work out at the Alper JCC and read. Herman is married to Karina... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 12:00pm - 12:50pm EST
Room 114 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

12:00pm EST

What is Exile ? Are American Jews in Exile?

Jewish memory has traditionally framed Jewish history as a story from homelessness to home. Yet most American Jews do not consider themselves homeless or in exile. So what are we saying when we pronounce "Next year in Jerusalem!?” Is it a mitzvah today to move to Israel? After the State of Israel has been established, what is, if any meaning to exile/diaspora? All opinions welcome!

Speakers

Fred Klein

Rabbi, Rabbincal Assoc. of Greater Miami, Greater Miami Jewish Federation

Frederick ‘Fred’ Klein received an MA in Bible from Yeshiva University. Klein pursued a doctorate in Jewish history at Columbia University. Currently Rabbi Klein serves as Director of Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support, a program of the Greater Miami... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 12:00pm - 12:50pm EST
Room 120 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

Company Yes

1:00pm EST

Outlandish Talmud Stories & Savory Life Lessons

The Talmud is a book of law and life-lessons. Ancient Talmudic Rabbis understood the pedagogic power of a story, and their most bizarre and unbelievable stories convey some of life’s deepest lessons.

Speakers

Eliezer Wolf

Rabbi, Beit David, Highland Lakes Shul

Originating from Australia, Rabbi Eliezer Wolf is a teacher, life-coach and spiritual mentor. He serves as the Rabbi and executive director of Beit David Highland Lakes Shul, and is the founder of the educational center Kavanah. He and his wife Chanie live with their 5 children in... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST
Room 120 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

1:00pm EST

To Be or Not: Just Jew It!

A Kabbalistic perspective on living in the now and the different levels of being. This session will include presentation and meditation.

Speakers

Sandra Ratner Sadon

Certified Kabbalah Coach & Energy Healer, Listen to Your Voice

Inspired at a young age by traditional sources of Judaism, Sandra started his spiritual career 35 years ago, under the mentorship of Shalom Lipskar, director of The Shul Jewish Community Center of Chabad Lubavitch internationally recognized as one of the most influential minds in... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 1:00pm - 1:50pm EST
Room 114 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

Company Yes

2:00pm EST

Essential Oils In the Tanach/Jewish Bible

Join Raisy who will present textual references in the Tanach/Jewish Bible to essential oils. Together, we will sample and talk about the essential oil that is described.

Speakers

Raisy Gittler

Therapeutic Massage & Wellness for Women, A Lighter Touch

Raisy is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Healing Touch practitioner and facilitator of pre- and post- surgery healing techniques. Essential oils are a supportive, calming addition to all the components of my practice. My goal is to help women relieve stress, ease pain and... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 2:00pm - 2:50pm EST
Room 126 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

2:00pm EST

The Art of Hebrew Kirtan --- Opening Your Heart to Meditation through Music

Hebrew Kirtan — inspired by a form of devotional prayer developed in India — is call-and-response, participatory chant where short, sacred phrases from the Jewish tradition are treated as powerful, universal meditations. It is at once contemplative, ecstatic and plain old fun. Join the ‘Kirtan Rabbi,’ Andrew Hahn, for a deep immersion in this cutting-edge practice. We will chant a lot. And we'll discuss creating and leading chants, do easy meditation and voice exercises, and study related Jewish texts. You do not need to know any Hebrew or be a singer to enjoy this workshop. This is a double session.

Speakers

Andrew Hahn

Rabbi, Musician, Jewish Studies Professor, Martial Artist, Kirtan Rabbi

Sunday February 23, 2020 2:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Room 114 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

Company Yes

3:00pm EST

The Kavana Course --- The Jewish Art of Mindfulness

As we were growing up, many of us were told to pray with Kavana, or to do a mitzvah with Kavana, but nobody has ever taught us HOW!

The techniques and principles of Kavana --- concentrating the mind --- are well known within Jewish literature. And, they can be used for many things other than prayer. They can help reduce stress, increase vitality, balance one’s energy and heighten mental clarity. They can be the foundation of a program of meditation and self-healing, totally from a Jewish framework.

Speakers

Michael Andron

Educator, Kodesh Congregation

Michael Andron, Ph.D, is a true renaissance man. Michael is an ordained Mohel, a Tai Ch’i Master-7th Degree Black Belt in Tora Dojo, a Jewish Martial Arts system, a yoga adept and a researcher/practitioner in holistic medicine. He is director of Kodesh Center, a non-profit foundation... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Room 115 Koven Center - 115

Knowledge

Company Yes

3:00pm EST

Water, Earth & Fire : Elemental Personalities in Jewish Mysticism and Chinese Medicine

Cultures have long used natural elements such as water, earth and fire as metaphors. Long before modern psychology developed personality typing systems, both Chinese Medicine and Jewish Mysticism used elements from nature to understand and categorize the world and its people. This session will explore these unique cultures' intersecting approaches to "elemental personalities," using individuals from the bible and Jewish history to exemplify the powers and vulnerabilities of each elemental personality type.

Speakers

Esther Meisels

Artist, Lecturer & Attorney

Esther Meisels is an attorney, artist and lecturer with a deep commitment to and passion for Jewish continuity and education. She received a BA in Art and AA in Jewish Studies from Yeshiva University. Meisels earned a JD from University of Miami School of Law. She has been involved... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Room 110 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

Company Yes

4:00pm EST

Avot HaChinuch and Shleimut: Biblical Paradigms and the Science of Human Flourishing

The session will introduce participants to the foundations of the emerging field of Positive Psychology and the science of human flourishing. Participants will then learn a pedagogical approach in which close textual readings about biblical heroes can inform this science.

Speakers

Avi Bossewitch

Dean of Academics and Innovation, Hebrew Academy (RASG)

Avi Bossewitch is a dynamic Jewish educational leader, teacher, and lecturer. Originally from the Upper West Side of Manhattan, he attended Yeshiva University where he received his BS in Computers, MS in Jewish Education and Administration, and Smicha. He is currently pursuing his... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 4:00pm - 4:50pm EST
Room 122 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

4:00pm EST

Middot-Based Decision-Making --- Are You Creating the Life You Desire?

Imagine a life where every decision can be made so simply, that it's either a yes or a no. Learn how the Jewish Mussar (ethics) movement and its focus on Middot ( character trait) development has a strong relationship to the worlds of Psychology and Entrepreneurship. Mussar practices or Values-Based Decision-Making, can be applied to everyone's life, no matter what their background.

Speakers

Jason Wasser

Therapist & Coach, The Family Wellness Associates

Host of the "Your Winning Life" podcast, Jason is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Alternative Medicine Practitioner, Certified Entrepreneur Coach and Speaker. He is the owner of The Family Room Wellness Associates, a mind-body integrative health focused practice in Hollywood... Read More →

Sunday February 23, 2020 4:00pm - 4:50pm EST
Room 126 Koven Center - FIU

Knowledge

Company Yes