Journey Into Jewish Mysticism

Posted Monday, Sep 14th, 2009
The Westender

Journey Into Jewish Mysticism

Brisbane's Jewish Learning Institute undertakes an ambitious exploration of the soul's journey

This November, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) will unveil its latest course, SoulQuest: The Journey Through Life, Death, and Beyond.  The twin mysteries of life and death have fascinated philosophers and laymen alike since the dawn of time. Many questions have been asked, but far fewer have been answered.

“This is a classic case of the market creating the demand for this course,” says local JLI instructor, Chanoch Sufrin. “We have received consistent requests from students to create a course that addresses these issues head on. Sooner or later, everybody must reckon with questions of their own mortality.”

“This course addresses the most commonly asked questions about the soul’s journey,” says Rabbi Yisrael Rice, the course author. “And then some not-so-common questions that many people have never even thought of.”

“Though there are many traditions that deal with the nature of the soul and its journey through this life and beyond,” continues Rice, “this course reveals a counterintuitive conclusion that is unique to the Jewish tradition.”

Participants will find comfort in understanding the soul’s journey. Additionally, the course consistently brings the study of our before and after back to its practical ramifications of day-to-day living.

Lessons will examine a range of classic Jewish sources, drawing extensively from the Talmud and Kabbalah.

Chanoch Sufrin of the Jewish Educational Institute – Chabad Brisbane will be teaching this course at the Brisbane Synagogue for six Mondays, starting November 2nd, and potential students are welcome to call 0425 248 182 for more information. This course will also be held on the Sunshine Coast in Maroochydore for six Thursday evening, starting November 5th.

SoulQuest, like all JLI’s courses, is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge. Participants without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning can attend and enjoy this course. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not to be a member of any particular synagogue or temple.

Members of the media are invited to attend a local class and/or interview local course facilitators in advance. Interviews with national facilitators and course creators can be arranged upon request as well. To arrange an interview, to visit an upcoming class, or for further information, please contact Chanoch Sufrin 0425 248 182.

The Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) is the adult education arm of Chabad-Lubavitch. JLI’s classes and programs are offered at over 300 locations in more than 250 cities nationwide and internationally (including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela). Over 100,000 people have attended JLI classes since its founding in 1998. Every course offered by JLI is taught concurrently in all locations. This unique feature has helped create a truly global learning community.

Please visit   www.myJLI.com or  www.myJLI.com/soulquestfor up-to-date information about SoulQuest.

JLI courses are presented in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast under the auspices of the Jewish Educational Institute – Chabad Brisbane.

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