Preface
Acknowledgments
A Visionary Introduction to My Life Quest
Part I: My Boyhood &Youth Before the Holocaust
Chapter 1. Origins
Chapter 2. A Viennese Boyhood
Chapter 3. Austria Under Hitler
Chapter 4. Diamond-Cutting & Hasidim in Antwerp
Chapter 5. French Internment Camps
Chapter 6. Revelations in Marseilles
Chapter 7. Freedom Voyage to America
Chapter 8. Encountering the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe
Chapter 9. The Making of a Chabad Hasid
Part II: Initiating Jewish Restoration in America
Chapter 10. A Fledgling Rabbi: Outreach in New Haven
Chapter 11. Raising the Klippot in Rochester, New York
Chapter 12. A Pulpit of My Own in Fall River, Massachussetts
Chapter 13. Caribbean Travels: Voodoo & Mitzvah Missions
Chapter 14. Widening Horizons: From New Bedford to Boston
University
Part III: Planting Seeds of Jewish Renewal
Chapter 15. Jewish Innovation in Manitoba
Chapter 16. Adventures with Catholic Monasticism
Chapter 17. My First Trip to the Holy Land
Chapter 18. Qumran, USA: My Plan for Jewish Communality
Chapter 19. Hasidic Counseling: New Explorations
Chapter 20. Psychedelics with Timothy Leary
Chapter 21. My Friend Thomas Merton and the Ecumenical Quest
Chapter 22. Walks with Abraham Maslow
Chapter 23. Abraham Joshua Heschel: My Mentor & Friend
Chapter 24. Leaving Chabad: The Fallout from My Washington, DC
Lecture
Chapter 25. The San Francisco Counter-Culture and Neo-Hasidism
Chapter 26. Relocating to Philadelphia
Chapter 27. Epilogue: Whither Jewish Renewal?
Appendix: Brief Reminiscences
A. Gerald Heard, My “Irish Rebbe”
B. Rabbi Heschel Matt
C. Breakthroughs in Milwaukee
D. The Dalai Lama
E. My Unfulfilled Projects
Glossary
Related Books by the Authors
Index
About the Authors
Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, or “Reb Zalman” as he was fondly known, was the founder and leader of the Jewish Renewal movement and the author of numerous books, including Jewish with Feeling and From Age-ing to Sage-ing.
In this wonderful and important memoir, we see why Reb Zalman is
viewed by so many as one of the key Jewish figures and influencers
of the last century. In intimate detail, the book affords us
glimpses into the friendships, relationships, and shared
experiences he has had with some of the most compelling (and at
times lesser known) spiritual teachers and leaders of this era, as
well as his own experiences and personal history--and how those
many and varied interconnections have shaped his worldview and
inner life. I recommend this book very highly to anyone
interested in the evolution of a soul and the formation of a modern
mystic.
*Rabbi Niles Goldstein, director of external relations at the
Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions; author of Gonzo
Judaism: A Bold Path for Renewing an Ancient Faith*
While there are many Jews who never heard of "Jewish Renewal" or
Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter- Shalomi, the impact of Reb Zalman, and
the movement he has been instrumental in birthing, have been
extraordinary. In fact, hundreds of synagogues in the United States
and elsewhere, whether its congregants are aware of it or not, have
benefited from the nourishing impact of Jewish Renewal and Reb
Zalman's rare, inspired creativity. If you do not know Reb Zalman,
get ready for a deeply personal memoir about an exceptional
personality and important teacher in our generation. If you do know
Reb Zalman, get ready for a "can't put this book down" experience.
When a gifted writer and teacher like Dr. Edward Hoffman teams up
with Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, the result is one of those
rare books that are truly important.
*Arthur Kurzweil, author of Kabbalah for Dummies and On the Road
with Rabbi Steinsaltz*
Judaism is a living religion of endless reinvention. From Abraham
to Moses, and Moses to Micah, and Micah to Hillel, and Hillel to
Luria, and Luria to the Baal Shem Tov, and the Baal Shem Tov to Reb
Zalman ours is a civilization rooted in creativity, innovation,
imagination, and experimentation. Reb Zalman’s story is a testament
to Jewish creativity rooted in the richest soil of the past and
fearlessly branching out into the as yet unknown dimensions of the
future. If there is hope for a Jewish future, Reb Zalman carries
it; if there is a rabbi for the 21st Century, Reb Zalman is it.
*Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of The Sacred Art of
Lovingkindness*
Reb Zalman is a deeply beloved, unique figure, founder of the
Jewish Renewal movement, who has single-handedly inspired several
generations of Jews to rediscover their own rich heritage. In
this compelling memoir, Reb Zalman (assisted by Edward Hoffman)
recounts his remarkable life story, revealing the personal
evolution that made it possible for him to serve as an authentic
Hasidic rebbe in the modern era. This fascinating book is like a
long, delicious visit with Reb Zalman as he recounts, with
exceptional honesty and affection, the events that have shaped his
life.
*Howard Schwartz, Author of Tree of Souls: The Mythology of
Judaism*
Reb Zalman, the Master Teacher of Jewish Renewal has given us
access to the wisdom of the past appreciation of the technological
present and insights for a luminous future now he is giving us the
inside view of his amazing life presented as an engaging personal
narrative those who have enjoyed his teachings will find this a
‘must read’ book.
*Rabbi Leah Novick, author of On the Wings of Shekhinah:
Rediscovering Judaism's Divine Feminine*
To be in the presence of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shlom is to be in
the presence of a fountain that is forever bubbling up with new
nsights and fresh discoveries. The next best thing to being with
him is to have this book which describes the fascinating journey
that Reb Zalman has travelled in his life—so far. The Lubavitcher
Rebbe and the Dali Lama, the diamond cutters of Antwerp and the
Trappist monks of Kentucky, Shlomo Carlbach and Timothy O’Leary are
among some of the travelling companions whom he introduces us to,
as he tells us of the adventures he has lived through in his
travels from world to world in search of Truth. It is hard to think
of a spiritual insight, a new way of understanding reality, a new
approach to the tradition, or a fresh idea that he has not been
involved in learning and in teaching in his journey. He has raised
a generation of disciples, and has done more than anyone I know to
touch the minds and souls of young people in our time. Now, in this
fascinating autobiography, he enables us to travel along with him,
and to learn at his side. This is a book that anyone who wants to
understand the twists and turns of the spiritual life of our time
simply has to read.
*Rabbi Jack Riemer, editor of The World of the High Holy Days and
So That Your Values Live On*
What a marvelous collection of memories, told with warmth and
affection! We who know and love Reb Zalman have all heard parts of
his story, but seeing it all together is quite
magnificent. May he live to write still more unexpected
chapters!
*Art Green, Hebrew College*
Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi is the greatest living spiritual
teacher of our time. He has been a master and innovator of Kabbalah
and Hasidism, whose wisdom and charisma played a preeminent role in
creating a Jewish renewal that is the best hope for Jewish
continuity in the 21st century—and a powerful model for spiritually
alive people in every religious tradition. My Life in Jewish
Renewal gives a vivid picture of the courage and challenges
that Reb Zalman has faced—and his life detailed in this book
reflects his integrity and creativity.
*Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor, Tikkun Magazine; author of The Left
Hand of God:Taking Back our Country from the Religious Right*
In this radiant book, Reb Zalman Schachter accompanied by Edward
Hoffman, take us on the majestic tour of Reb Zalman's exhilarating
life. This tour comprises a treasure-trove of wise and diversified
souls, beginning with Reb Zalman himself, from his discoveries as a
youth in Hitler's Vienna to his education as a rabbi to his
meetings with some of the most remarkable minds of the past 100
years. And weaved throughout we are gifted with the
clarification and articulation of Reb Zalman's crowning theological
achievement—Jewish Renewal—and the hope for a more inclusive,
awe-based, and appreciative world.
*Kirk Schneider, author of Existential-Humanistic Therapy*
Few writers have so accurately described Jewish boyhood in Vienna,
the doubts and fears, the fascination with a world that overnight
turned from friendly Gemütlichkeit to hostility and hatred. And
none that I know of has had such accurate recall of names, places,
people and happenings as Reb Zalman. What this revered rabbi became
has much to do with what he was as a boy. After decades of sharing
with us thoughts, views, insights and teachings, I am grateful that
he has decided to share the journey of his life.
*Theodore Bikel, actor, musician, Yiddishist*
Zalman Schachter-Shalomi has written a robust and creative memoir
with Edward Hoffman, author of The Kabbalah Reader and other books.
Known by friends and students as ‘Reb Zalman,’ he has left his mark
on Judaism by founding the Jewish Renewal movement….This book also
tracks this open-minded and open-hearted rabbi's fascination with
pastoral psychology, Sufism, conscious aging, and a variety of
spiritual experiences…. he has served as a scout for all of us,
leading us into new territory and exposing us to fresh teachings
and wisdom coming from many different places. Only an incredibly
busy and productive seer could end his memoir with a section on ‘My
Unfulfilled Projects.’ Reb Zalman has given all he has in service
of others and we are the richer and wiser for it.
*Spirituality and Practice*
This absorbing memoir presents the life of one of the most
important spiritual leaders and teachers today, the founder of the
Jewish Renewal movement...Black and white photographs of Reb Zalman
at different stages of his life and some of the people who
influenced him are included, and the text is interspersed with
quotes from Reb Zalman’s writings and other relevant
documents...This memoir has broad appeal, and it is recommended for
all types of Jewish libraries, and Judaica collections, starting
from high school. It is a valuable resource for understanding the
growth and development of Jewish Renewal, and a notable
contribution to American Jewish history.
*Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews*
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
