The Yesod Foundation
SINCE THE EARLY 1960s, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (better known as “Reb Zalman”) has been experimenting with creating and modeling a renewed Judaism, one that is both rooted in sacred tradition, and yet, living and enriching for us today, attuned to our consciousness and honoring of our own contributions. In so doing, Reb Zalman has profoundly changed the face of Jewish life and practice around the world, though many who have benefited from that change still do not know whom they have to thank.
Inspired by Reb Zalman's extraordinary vision, and his move to Boulder, Colorado in 1996, a small group of his friends and students in Boulder formed a new non-profit Jewish foundation in 1998. Reb Zalman agreed to become Spiritual Director of the new foundation and suggested a name . . . the Yesod Foundation.
Yesod is one of the ten sefirot (divine qualities) on the Kabbalistic “Tree of Life.” The Hebrew word, yesod literally means “foundation,” the necessary connection between any human structure and the earth. But in the realm of the soul, Yesod provides the energy, connection, and power to communicate between our inner world and outer reality. Yesod is also associated with the human organs of procreation, the foundation of future generations, as well the tzaddikim, “the righteous ones” who create a foundation for the world. Finally, Yesod is associated with the covenant between the divine and the human being, between peace and love, which yields emet, the “truth” of our human possibility, which is to become harmonious with the sacred world.
In keeping with the power of the name, the Yesod Foundation's mission is to bring the deep wisdom of the Jewish tradition to contemporary culture. We endeavor to advance a viable and vibrant Jewish spirituality, following the example of our beloved Reb Zalman, which can enrich and bring delight to all of our lives. We have and continue to do this in three major ways: (1) by providing local and regional educational and community-building programs; (2) by creating an annual international conference of Renewal rabbis, cantors, and educators; and (3) by establishing and supporting the Reb Zalman Legacy Project, which is preserving, developing and disseminating Reb Zalman's life work for our own and future generations.
At the same time, the Yesod Foundation Board of Directors is committed to taking-time as human beings to look within ourselves, and help others to do the same, so that we can directly experience the sacredness of earth, spirit, and of all people. We take seriously the idea of partnering with G-d in undertaking the increasingly critical tasks of repairing the world (tikkun olam) and bringing peace to our fragmented world. Through connecting our inner lives with the outer community and the world at large, we at Yesod aspire to help birth a sound and healthy new paradigm for Jewish life in the 21st century, and a better world in which to live.
Inspired by Reb Zalman's extraordinary vision, and his move to Boulder, Colorado in 1996, a small group of his friends and students in Boulder formed a new non-profit Jewish foundation in 1998. Reb Zalman agreed to become Spiritual Director of the new foundation and suggested a name . . . the Yesod Foundation.
Yesod is one of the ten sefirot (divine qualities) on the Kabbalistic “Tree of Life.” The Hebrew word, yesod literally means “foundation,” the necessary connection between any human structure and the earth. But in the realm of the soul, Yesod provides the energy, connection, and power to communicate between our inner world and outer reality. Yesod is also associated with the human organs of procreation, the foundation of future generations, as well the tzaddikim, “the righteous ones” who create a foundation for the world. Finally, Yesod is associated with the covenant between the divine and the human being, between peace and love, which yields emet, the “truth” of our human possibility, which is to become harmonious with the sacred world.In keeping with the power of the name, the Yesod Foundation's mission is to bring the deep wisdom of the Jewish tradition to contemporary culture. We endeavor to advance a viable and vibrant Jewish spirituality, following the example of our beloved Reb Zalman, which can enrich and bring delight to all of our lives. We have and continue to do this in three major ways: (1) by providing local and regional educational and community-building programs; (2) by creating an annual international conference of Renewal rabbis, cantors, and educators; and (3) by establishing and supporting the Reb Zalman Legacy Project, which is preserving, developing and disseminating Reb Zalman's life work for our own and future generations.
At the same time, the Yesod Foundation Board of Directors is committed to taking-time as human beings to look within ourselves, and help others to do the same, so that we can directly experience the sacredness of earth, spirit, and of all people. We take seriously the idea of partnering with G-d in undertaking the increasingly critical tasks of repairing the world (tikkun olam) and bringing peace to our fragmented world. Through connecting our inner lives with the outer community and the world at large, we at Yesod aspire to help birth a sound and healthy new paradigm for Jewish life in the 21st century, and a better world in which to live.