Heller to lead Nov. 16-17 Shabbaton

By Jewish Review

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Congregation Kesser Israel and Portland Kollel are joining forces to sponsor a special community Shabbaton Nov. 16 and 17.

The scholar-in-residence event features Tziporah Heller, a dynamic speaker, author and educator from Jerusalem, who is making Portland the first stop on a two-week U.S. tour that includes Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
   
“We’re very excited to able to host her,” said Rabbi Kenneth Brodkin of Kesser Israel. “Ms. Heller is not only an outstanding scholar in many areas of Jewish philosophy—but she’s a widely sought after speaker. This is a terrific opportunity for the entire Jewish community of Portland.”
   

All events—including Shabbat meals and Heller’s four presentations—will be at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. The program begins with Shabbat services Friday afternoon, followed by Shabbat dinner and Heller’s talk on “The Gender of G-d.”
   
Additional topics include “The Spirituality of This World;” “Achieving Happiness in Work and Relationships—Rambam’s Approach”; and “Connecting to G-d: Touching the Transcendent.”
   
Heller’s areas of expertise include textual analysis of Biblical literature and Jewish philosophy. She has been a full-time faculty member at Jerusalem’s Neve Yerushalayim College. She’s written four books, including the recent “Let’s Face It.”
   
Cost for the full Shabbaton—which includes four kosher meals in addition to the presentations—$45 per adult, $25 for children ages 4-12, with a maximum of $140 per family. Reservations may be made through the Portland Kollel, info@portlandkollel.org or 503-245-5420 or online at www.kesserisrael.org (click on “Donate” and then on “Shabbaton registration”).
   
Brodkin said he and Rabbi Tzvi Fischer of the Portland Kollel were especially grateful to the Aspen Mitzvah Fund and Steve “Rosy” Rosenberg and Ellen Lippman for underwriting a portion of the program costs. “Their generosity makes it possible for more people to attend,” he said. Brodkin noted that additional sponsorship opportunities are available—contact the Kollel for more information.