Spirituality, Health and Healing

Thursday, February 5, 12 & 19, 7:30 pm

Beth Israel Congregation
3706 Crondall Lane
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-654-0800
www.bethisrael-om.org.

February 5:
Rabbi Jerry Seidler, Chaplain, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
Topic: Striving for Salvation: A Spirituality Model of Being Israel:

Learn about a model of Jewish spirituality that:

• emphasizes concentration-based Godfulness.
• addresses the person not only as a separate self, but also as a member of a family, community, society and the world
• is framed with the structure of the ten sefirot, or divine emanations, of kabbalah, together with their corresponding character traits and ways of being.

Explore the development of equanimity, the quintessential character trait necessary for Jewish spirituality, and central to this model of spirituality.

February 12th:
David Madoff, MD, PhD.
Topic: Scientific Review of Spirituality and Health

• Examine the potential role of spirituality in health and well-being.
• Review potential genetic and epigenetic factors involved with spirituality.
• Discuss potential correlations between spirituality and brain function.

Cantor Roger Eisenberg and Liz Eisenberg
Topic: Yoga and Meditation

• Learn about and experience the practices of Jewish meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative meditation.
• Learn how to experience themselves and others as sacred, how to be joyful and how to direct their attention into the present moment – to remember that we already dwell in God’s Presence.

February 19th: Sarah Shapiro and Anita Meddin
Topic: Beth Israel Shleimut Program

• Gain an understanding of the Shleimut model, its origins, and how it has evolved in the nearly ten years since its inception at Beth Israel.
• Recognize the role Shleimut plays in helping the synagogue meet the holistic needs of congregants.
• Examine the role of spirituality in Shleimut and the role of Shleimut in the healing process and in building sacred community.

Panel discussion: All presenters.