Thursday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. CT
FREE WEBCAST
Finding the sacred in the midst of ordinary life lies at the heart of Hasidic mysticism. This accessible introduction presents a little-known stream of Jewish spirituality that teaches how the Divine may be encountered not by withdrawing from the world, but by entering life more fully.
Beginning with the teachings and stories of the 18th-century master the Baal Shem Tov and other early Hasidic teachers, the talk weaves together history, storytelling, and practical spiritual wisdom. Core ideas include “descent for the sake of ascent,” the rhythm of “running and returning,” and the hidden spark of holiness within everyday experience.
Warm and experiential in spirit, this session presents Hasidism as a path of joy, resilience, transformation, and embodied presence in daily life, welcoming seekers from a wide range of backgrounds.
Rabbi Matthew Ponak is a teacher of Jewish mysticism, a spiritual counselor, and an author dedicated to making Kabbalistic and Hasidic wisdom accessible to seekers of all backgrounds. He was ordained with honors from Hebrew College’s neo-Hasidic rabbinical school and holds a master’s degree in Contemplative Religions from Naropa University. Blending scholarly insight with somatic spiritual practice, Rabbi Matthew works at the intersection of Jewish and global mystical traditions. He is the author of Embodied Kabbalah, which explores Jewish mystical wisdom for modern life through an integrative, grounded lens.
Program Format
This program will be streamed on YouTube, Facebook, and our website on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. CT.