Have you ever emotionally felt a bit distanced, far and not so connected with our Creator?
Believing in God does not always mean feeling close to God, and engaged in what may be the most important and vibrant relationship the human being can experience.
This course will explore Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira’s, the Piaseczner Rebbe's, Bnei Machshava Tova, commonly referred to in English by Andrea Cohen-Keiner’s translation as Conscious Community.
The course provides necessary modalities to enable us to encounter the Shechinah—the Divine Presence— within us, as we begin to hear the soul’s unqiue “still small voice.
The goal is to sense closeness and experience spiritual intimacy with our Creator in an immanent, visceral and authentic way—the deeper part of our own being.
Encountering the Divine through this inner work, both individually and in community, manifests our Godly selves—our higher selves.
All texts are provided with clear line-by-line translations, and no prior knowledge or experience with the subject matter is necessary. This course is open to novices and advanced learners of all backgrounds and levels.
How does it work?
The course consists of eight recorded online sessions, of approximately 1.25 hours. Participants can watch and listen to the recordings at your own leisure.
Each class includes three essential components:
1) An exploration of selected entries in the Piaseczner’s Bnei Machshava. The source sheet will be sent out each week prior to the class.
2) A guided contemplative practice reflecting on that week’s teachings. You become your own chavrutah—learning partner— as you review the entries with your own mind and heart.
3) The concluding 15 minutes is time dedicated to participants sharing their experiences during the sit as well as asking questions that may arise from both the text and the sit.
Testimonials
"Yiscah brings warmth and approachability to her teachings—along with a clear connection with the Divine and with the sacred spiritual texts that she shares. Whether one is a novice or more familiar with Jewish spirituality, you will find yourself welcome in the space she holds for everyone. One of my favorite impressions learning with Yiscah is how she approaches learning Torah as if one is recalling a dream from the night before, thus opening the door to a “lived“ experience amidst a text that can seem so distant from our own lives. As such, bring an open heart to her learning opportunities, and Yiscah will do her best to help you become inspired."- Jordan Walker
"How amazing that over zoom Yiscah has been able to create a safe, intimate space for sharing our interior lives inspired by the Piaseczner Rebbe. Her modus operandi is very much aligned with the Piaseczner’s teachings - encouraging us to open ourselves intellectually, emotionally and spiritually to Torah.
Very often Yiscah expands the Piaseczner’s text with apt examples from her own personal experiences; encouraging us to do so as well. I have learned from Yiscah that speed in DAVENING without KAVANA may not serve our soul or spiritual longing to connect more deeply with the Divine. I have given myself permission through her gentle and sage guidance to focus on select phrases and big ideas that speak to me.
Each class is enlivened with deep emotional and intellectual learning along with some historical context. Yiscah has a listening heart and an open mind for all of our queries.
We are inspired by Yiscah and the Piaseczner Rebbe to make Torah our own, to expand ourselves, to interpret text with our own ideas and experiences and feel Torah in our everyday lives. Yiscah’s mantra (now mine as well) is to see yourself in the text and the text in you."
- Renee Wohl
"Yesterday was the final class given by Yiscah. It was a bittersweet experience. Bitter because it ended and sweet because aside from signaling a new beginning, I walked away with knowledge of who Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapiro, the Piaseczner Rebbe was, and his amazing teachings. I have come across his name before, but I had no idea of how important and revolutionary his thinking and beliefs were - teachings that can rival the most current eclectic disciplines. In addition, listening to Yiscah’s vast knowledge and delivery of the lectures, kept me looking forward to the weekly classes. Lastly, I liked and appreciate a lot, the time Yiscah allotted to questions and comments. Not many lecturers give their students such time and space. I am so glad I listened to her on Erev Shavuot because if not, I would have never learned about Yiscah and her courses."
- Jenny Katz