A Heart as Big as the World: Tribute to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, ztz"l

There are so many Jews who would not have come, or returned, to Judaism if not for Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, or “Reb Zalman” as he was affectionately called, who passed away on July 3,2014, at the age of 89.  Known as the Father of Jewish Renewal, he served as guide, mentor, and teacher to thousands of people seeking meaning and relevance in their Judaism. Hundreds of people from all across the United States, representing a wide spectrum of religions and spiritual institutions, gathered at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, August 17, 2014 for what had been planned months earlier as a 90^th birthday celebration, but instead became a moving, ecumenical ceremony and celebration that elicited laughter as well as tears.  

Before the actual Sunday program began, photos from Reb Zalman’s archives, housed at the University of Colorado, were projected onto a huge screen, showing him at key moments of his life, including a close-up of him and the Dalai Lama smiling into each other’s eyes.  The sound track of Reb Zalman chanting niggunim - Hassidic wordless melodies - accompanied the slides.

Those who spoke and offered reminiscences and blessings included Rabbi Tirzah Firestone as MC of the memorial program, Father Mathew Fox, Founder of the Creation Spirituality Movement; Jeremy Parnes, representing ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; Charles Lief, President of Naropa University; Rabbi Art Green, Rector of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College; Murshid Ottinger, Senior Dervish of the Sufi Ruhaniat International, and other distinguished leaders, musicians, and academics. Reb Zalman’s wife, Eve Ilsen, a personal friend of this writer since college, sang a very loving tribute to her beloved husband, entitled “Here’s to Life” by Artie Butler, which brought everyone to tears and a standing ovation. 

A video clip of Reb Zalman’s address at the Roundtable Dialogue with Nobel Laureates in Vancouver, Canada in 2004 on “The Emerging Cosmology” showed him at his most brilliant and yet accessible, bringing in references from philosophers and scientists, and, in his typical humorous way, also using images that would speak to computer geeks and Trekkies.

An empty chair draped with Reb Zalman’s signature “rainbow tallit” was illuminated on the stage throughout the program. In addition to stories about Reb Zalman’s huge contributions over more than fifty years both in developing what has become the Jewish Renewal Movement as well as building bridges with people of other faiths through Deep Ecumenism, there were other modes of expressing tribute:  Singing a Gnostic Gospel by Hazzan Richard Kaplan, a Toglen Mieditation, and a closing ecumenical Zhikr in Hebrew and Arabic for peace.  His oft-repeated quote, “The only way for us to get together…. Is TOGETHER,” was finished by the strong response of the audience.

Reb Zalman leaves a legacy in his writings, teachings, recordings, and in the empowerment of rabbis, cantors, rabbinic pastors, maggidim – holy storytellers – and other designations to acknowledge specific talents and levels of learning. His warm voice comes through his many books, which aim to bring people closer to prayer, devotion, and heart-connection with traditional sources. He introduced Hassidic stories in his "Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of The Hasidic Masters" and himself taught through stories, traditional and personal.  He coined the phrase “Davvenology” – understanding the technology of prayer -  through such books as” The Gates of Prayer,” and “Gates to the Heart,” and offered works that were easily accessible by someone just starting on the path to Jewish knowledge, such as “Jewish With Feeling,” “Paradigm Shift,”  and many prayers reworked into contemporary English, including recordings of a traditional prayer service chanted in English.  His huge body of work includes volumes in Hebrew and English for the advanced student and rabbinical leader, such as “The Geologist of the Soul: Talks on Rebbe-craft and Spiritual Leadership,” “Spiritual Intimacy,”  “All Breathing Life Adores Your Name,” a volume of poetry and prayer, and his own translations of Psalms, to name just a few.  His work on Eldering led to his writing “From Age-ing to Sage-ing” and, more recently, “The December Project.” 

Rabbis, cantors, and former students of Reb Zalman had gathered for the preceding Shabbat to tell stories of how Reb Zalman had impacted their lives.  Among the group were two local rabbis from Northern Arizona who owe so much to the inspirational teachings of Reb Zalman: Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein, of Ruach Hamidbar – Spirit of the Desert – who received Smicha (rabbinical ordination)  from Reb Zalman in 1987, and Rabbi Alicia Magal, of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, who received Smicha in 2003 from the ALEPH Renewal Rabbinic Program as well as from the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles, California. 

Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein, a student of Reb Zalman since the mid 70's has been videotaping him and Jewish Renewal events for over 30 years. She is currently working on a documentary on the impact of Reb Zalman and Jewish renewal on mainstream Judaism and other traditions. Some of her videos can be viewed on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jewishrenewal

"It was my good fortune and to have met Reb Zalman at a major turning point in my life. When I came out of the yeshiva world in Jerusalem I was seeking a way to serve G!d in holy and meaningful ways. Reb Zalman was the first Rebbe that looked into my soul and saw my potential.   He was the first Chassidic Rebbe to give smicha to women and he felt that it was a tikun/fixing that needed to be done in this generation. 

Reb Zalman said: "When the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson was asked about the role of a Rebbe, he said that a Rebbe is like a geologist of the soul. There are so many treasures in the earth. There is gold, there is silver, and there are diamonds. But if you don't know where to dig, you will only find dirt and rocks and mud. The Rebbe can tell you where to dig, and what to dig, but the digging must do yourself." Thank you Reb Zalman for teaching me where to dig."

I [Rabbi Magal] spent time at Reb Zalman and Eve's home over the past decades, for Shabbat, Passover, or just visits, and each time felt inspired by his deep knowledge, expansive warmth, caring, and humor.  He had a gift for making each person feel personally seen and appreciated for his or her unique gifts.  He empowered each of us to bring our light and joy to those we taught and touched.  Part of my rabbinic mission and vision is “Ivdu et Hashem b’simcha.”  Serve God with joy” from Psalm 100.  Reb Zalman nurtured that joy and encouraged my teaching, my wearing flowers in my hair, and my bringing expressive dance and movement to my rabbinate.

Reb Zalman had “A Heart as Big as the World” and we pray that his legacy lives on, continuing to empower people to deepen their study and prayer within Judaism, and to work for compassionate social action in the world among all peoples.

  A Heart as Big as the World: Tribute to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, ztz"l

There are so many Jews who would not have come, or returned, to Judaism if not for Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, or “Reb Zalman” as he was affectionately called, who passed away on July 3,2014, at the age of 89.  Known as the Father of Jewish Renewal, he served as guide, mentor, and teacher to thousands of people seeking meaning and relevance in their Judaism. Hundreds of people from all across the United States, representing a wide spectrum of religions and spiritual institutions, gathered at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, August 17, 2014 for what had been planned months earlier as a 90^th birthday celebration, but instead became a moving, ecumenical ceremony and celebration that elicited laughter as well as tears.  

Before the actual Sunday program began, photos from Reb Zalman’s archives, housed at the University of Colorado, were projected onto a huge screen, showing him at key moments of his life, including a close-up of him and the Dalai Lama smiling into each other’s eyes.  The sound track of Reb Zalman chanting niggunim - Hassidic wordless melodies - accompanied the slides.

Those who spoke and offered reminiscences and blessings included Rabbi Tirzah Firestone as MC of the memorial program, Father Mathew Fox, Founder of the Creation Spirituality Movement; Jeremy Parnes, representing ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; Charles Lief, President of Naropa University; Rabbi Art Green, Rector of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College; Murshid Ottinger, Senior Dervish of the Sufi Ruhaniat International, and other distinguished leaders, musicians, and academics. Reb Zalman’s wife, Eve Ilsen, a personal friend of this writer since college, sang a very loving tribute to her beloved husband, entitled “Here’s to Life” by Artie Butler, which brought everyone to tears and a standing ovation. 

A video clip of Reb Zalman’s address at the Roundtable Dialogue with Nobel Laureates in Vancouver, Canada in 2004 on “The Emerging Cosmology” showed him at his most brilliant and yet accessible, bringing in references from philosophers and scientists, and, in his typical humorous way, also using images that would speak to computer geeks and Trekkies.

An empty chair draped with Reb Zalman’s signature “rainbow tallit” was illuminated on the stage throughout the program. In addition to stories about Reb Zalman’s huge contributions over more than fifty years both in developing what has become the Jewish Renewal Movement as well as building bridges with people of other faiths through Deep Ecumenism, there were other modes of expressing tribute:  Singing a Gnostic Gospel by Hazzan Richard Kaplan, a Toglen Mieditation, and a closing ecumenical Zhikr in Hebrew and Arabic for peace.  His oft-repeated quote, “The only way for us to get together…. Is TOGETHER,” was finished by the strong response of the audience.

Reb Zalman leaves a legacy in his writings, teachings, recordings, and in the empowerment of rabbis, cantors, rabbinic pastors, maggidim – holy storytellers – and other designations to acknowledge specific talents and levels of learning. His warm voice comes through his many books, which aim to bring people closer to prayer, devotion, and heart-connection with traditional sources. He introduced Hassidic stories in his "Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of The Hasidic Masters" and himself taught through stories, traditional and personal.  He coined the phrase “Davvenology” – understanding the technology of prayer -  through such books as” The Gates of Prayer,” and “Gates to the Heart,” and offered works that were easily accessible by someone just starting on the path to Jewish knowledge, such as “Jewish With Feeling,” “Paradigm Shift,”  and many prayers reworked into contemporary English, including recordings of a traditional prayer service chanted in English.  His huge body of work includes volumes in Hebrew and English for the advanced student and rabbinical leader, such as “The Geologist of the Soul: Talks on Rebbe-craft and Spiritual Leadership,” “Spiritual Intimacy,”  “All Breathing Life Adores Your Name,” a volume of poetry and prayer, and his own translations of Psalms, to name just a few.  His work on Eldering led to his writing “From Age-ing to Sage-ing” and, more recently, “The December Project.” 

Rabbis, cantors, and former students of Reb Zalman had gathered for the preceding Shabbat to tell stories of how Reb Zalman had impacted their lives.  Among the group were two local rabbis from Northern Arizona who owe so much to the inspirational teachings of Reb Zalman: Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein, of Ruach Hamidbar – Spirit of the Desert – who received Smicha (rabbinical ordination)  from Reb Zalman in 1987, and Rabbi Alicia Magal, of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, who received Smicha in 2003 from the ALEPH Renewal Rabbinic Program as well as from the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles, California. 

Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein, a student of Reb Zalman since the mid 70's has been videotaping him and Jewish Renewal events for over 30 years. She is currently working on a documentary on the impact of Reb Zalman and Jewish renewal on mainstream Judaism and other traditions. Some of her videos can be viewed on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jewishrenewal

"It was my good fortune and to have met Reb Zalman at a major turning point in my life. When I came out of the yeshiva world in Jerusalem I was seeking a way to serve G!d in holy and meaningful ways. Reb Zalman was the first Rebbe that looked into my soul and saw my potential.   He was the first Chassidic Rebbe to give smicha to women and he felt that it was a tikun/fixing that needed to be done in this generation. 

Reb Zalman said: "When the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson was asked about the role of a Rebbe, he said that a Rebbe is like a geologist of the soul. There are so many treasures in the earth. There is gold, there is silver, and there are diamonds. But if you don't know where to dig, you will only find dirt and rocks and mud. The Rebbe can tell you where to dig, and what to dig, but the digging must do yourself." Thank you Reb Zalman for teaching me where to dig."

I [Rabbi Magal] spent time at Reb Zalman and Eve's home over the past decades, for Shabbat, Passover, or just visits, and each time felt inspired by his deep knowledge, expansive warmth, caring, and humor.  He had a gift for making each person feel personally seen and appreciated for his or her unique gifts.  He empowered each of us to bring our light and joy to those we taught and touched.  Part of my rabbinic mission and vision is “Ivdu et Hashem b’simcha.”  Serve God with joy” from Psalm 100.  Reb Zalman nurtured that joy and encouraged my teaching, my wearing flowers in my hair, and my bringing expressive dance and movement to my rabbinate.

Reb Zalman had “A Heart as Big as the World” and we pray that his legacy lives on, continuing to empower people to deepen their study and prayer within Judaism, and to work for compassionate social action in the world among all peoples.

  

Photo by Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein