Our contemplative circle, held the first Saturday of each month at HAMAKOM, is a sacred and serene space where we gather together to engage in deep introspection and mindfulness practices. It is communal in nature, and is designed to promote peace, self-awareness and spiritual growth by targeting the heart, spirit, emotion and body. We gain access to our inner landscape through meditation, chanting, study, gentle movement, breath and prayer.

Led by Rabbi Richard Camras, Hazzan Mimi Haselkorn and Valerie Edwards. 

​

​

Our next circles will be held on:

What happens when young women are trained to uphold and promote the very power structure that keeps them down? Institutional sexism in higher education

​

In 1953, Katherine Watson, a progressive, idealistic young art teacher, travels from California to New England to teach art history at the prestigious all-female Wellesley College, where she anticipates working with the smartest young women in the country and being able to make a difference in their lives. But while the school prides itself on its high standards of academic excellence, it quickly becomes clear to Miss Watson that the only grade that really counts at Wellesley is the one a husband gives his wife for her performance as a wife and mother. “I thought I was headed to a place that would turn out tomorrow’s leaders," she fumes, "not their wives!” When her plans for a more adventurous art curriculum are stymied by the college’s conservative Board, and her efforts to change her students’ perspectives are met with resistance and retaliation, Miss Watson must decide whether to give in…or keep fighting.

​

Watch the film on your own, then join us for the discussion, hosted by Valerie Edwards. This event is free and open to the community. For more information, click HERE

This course in the Wise Aging series continues to expand our consciousness about aging. Rejecting the declinist view of aging in favor of a positive mindset of creativity, renewal and joy, we continue to explore the tools and techniques that are key to aging wisely, and to reframe our vision so as to see ourselves on the path to becoming wise elders. We will explore how to put what we've learned about wise aging more fully into practice, through topics that will include The Wisdom of Rituals; Impermanence; Cultivating Spiritual Qualities; Getting Ready to Let Go; and Moving Forward With Joy. The textbook recommended for this class is “Getting Good at Getting Older” by Richard Siegel and Rabbi Laura Geller. This course is free and without charge except for the cost of the textbook. It is not necessary to have taken any previous Wise Aging courses in order to attend this class.