Zohar and Kabbalistic Hasidus

Service Description

Thursday evenings 7:30-9:30pm Curious about entering the world of Kabbalah? This course offers a guided and welcoming entry into the Zohar, the foundational text of Jewish mysticism, while also creating space for deeper textual challenge. The course is divided into two complementary sections, both connected to the weekly parshah (Torah portion): First hour: An accessible exploration of either Zohar or Hasidic teachings linked to the parshah. No prior background or language skills are assumed — just bring your curiosity and a willingness to dive into the imaginative and spiritual worlds of Jewish mysticism. Second hour: A slower, deeper dive into short Zohar passages in the original Aramaic, also drawn from the parshah. This section is designed for anyone who wishes to challenge themselves and engage closely with the original text and its depth. Taught by Zohar scholar and translator Nathan Wolski, this course creates a rare learning space that balances openness and depth - an invitation to step into the Zohar at whatever pace feels right for you. About the facilitator: Dr Simon Holloway is Manager of Community and Corporate Programs at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum and a sessional lecturer at Melbourne University, where he teaches Early Rabbinic Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. In the evenings, Simon divides his time between the Talmud and the writings of JRR Tolkien, subjecting his children to both in roughly equal measure. Please note that you don’t need to commit to all the weeks of the course to sign up. You're welcome to register even if you're just interested in trying it out — the process is designed for your convenience.