Twin Cities Jewish Renewal Community
September 2026
Sunday, September 20: Nature Walk/Sukkot Foraging with JPride
September 20, 10-12 PM
Minneapolis Greenway
Join TCJRC and J-Pride for a pre-Sukkot nature walk and foraging education opportunity on the Minneapolis Greenway! We’ll learn from Four Season Foraging’s Founder, Maria Wesserle, about Minnesota Native species equivalents for the 4 species, seasonal fruits and nuts, as well as Jewish Herbalist information of any plants we come across on our walk! We hope you’ll join us for a lovely morning walk before Yom Kippur. Location will be shared upon registration.
October/November 2026
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Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan: Intergenerational Council Fire
October 11, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
South Minneapolis
TCJRC's new monthly Rosh Chodesh gatherings are opportunities to connect with the Jewish wisdom of the coming month, the cycles of the Hebrew calendar, and one another. Once per season, our Rosh Chodesh gathering will be an Intergenerational Council Fire, an opportunity to speak from the heart and listen from the heart.
Council will be facilitated by TCJRC's Managing Director, Kohenet Riv Shapiro, and is intended for ages 13 and up.
The "Way of Council" is an ancient and modern practice of gathering in a circle to share personal truths, guided by four key intentions: speak from the heart, listen from the heart, be spontaneous, and be lean of speech. (School of the Wild).
This is a free event, and donations of $10-15 are greatly appreciated to help offset our costs.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev: Creative Study Process
Tuesday, November 10, 6:30-8:30 PM
St. Louis Park
TCJRC's new monthly Rosh Chodesh gatherings are opportunities to connect with the Jewish wisdom of the coming month, the cycles of the Hebrew calendar, and one another.
This month we'll engage in a creative study process inspired by the Jewish Studio Project's unique mix of art therapy and Jewish text study. No artistic or text study experience is needed!
Space is limited - RSVP today!
$10 TCJRC members, $15 non-members
Art supplies provided, feel free to bring anything you love to create with!
August 2026
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TCJRC Celebrates: Tribute & Transformation - Sunday, August 9 from 3:30-5:30pm, South Minneapolis
Join us to honor Sherry Stern’s seven years of service and welcome Kohenet Riv Shapiro as our new managing director. Featuring remarks from Sherry, Riv, and special guest Michelle W. Malkin, Executive Director of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal.
Light snacks 3:30 pm | Program including Q&A 4:00-4:45 pm
Feel welcome to stay and socialize with more refreshments until 5:30pm.
ADA-compliant South Minneapolis location shared with registrations.
Please consider becoming a Host for this event by contributing financially and/or bringing 3-5 friends or family that you think would value and enjoy what we are doing.
Contributions to this event are welcome here with the note "Transformation". Thank you to our supporters so far : ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, Stern-Snyder Family Tikkun Olam Philanthropic Fund, Terry Gips, Laurie Savran and Anonymous.
July National Speakers
The Magic of Hebrew Chant with Rabbi Shefa Gold - Sunday, July 26 from 6:15 - 8:15 PM at Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 10500 Hillside Lane W., Minnetonka
Chant is a meditative practice that fully engages the body, heart and mind, and facilitates healing and expansion of consciousness. Rabbi Shefa Gold, beloved teacher of chant, Jewish mysticism, prayer and spirituality, guides you through this transformative spiritual practice as a way to unlock the power of sacred texts and take prayer and meditation into the delight of your life. In this evening of participatory practice, Rabbi Shefa will illuminate the benefits and blessings of chant and unlock deep wisdom buried in our sacred texts.
Co-sponsored by TC Jewish Renewal Community, Living Mussar & Adath Jeshurun
Register by July 24 for a discount.
TCJRC, Living Mussar, and Adath Members $18
Nonmembers $22
After July 24 Everyone $25
It is a privilege to host Reb Shefa in the Twin Cities. Your additional sponsorship of $36 - $72 helps offset some of the costs and is greatly appreciated.
Those needing a scholarship to attend please email Sherry at TCJewishRenewal@gmail.com.
Bio: Rabbi Shefa Gold is a leader in ALEPH: the Alliance for Jewish Renewal. She is the director of C-DEEP, The Center for Devotional, Energy and Ecstatic Practice in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. She teaches workshops and retreats on the theory and art of Chanting, Devotional Healing, Spiritual Community-Building and Meditation. Rabbi Shefa composes and performs spiritual music, has produced ten albums, and her liturgies have been published in several new prayerbooks.
Heart Song Circle Led by Cantor Linda Hirschhorn - Friday, July 24, 4:45 PM Followed by 6 PM Service at Mount Zion Temple
Prepare for Shabbat by participating in a fun and meaningful song circle led by Cantor Linda and stay to help share the melodies you learn with the community during services.
4:45 PM - Heart Song Circle - $18 Donation Appreciated
6:00 PM Services, Shabbat participation Free
Cosponsored by TCJRC and Mount Zion
Address: Mount Zion Temple, 1300 Summit Ave., St. Paul
Bio: Cantor Linda Hirschhorn is a singer, composer, songwriter and storyteller. She has released 11 recordings of original songs that have been covered by other artists, used in movies, choreographed by dance companies, and sung in synagogues throughout the world. Linda has been the Cantor at Temple Beth Sholom in San Leandro since 1988.
January/February 2026
Tu Bishvat Seder led by Rav Michaela Brown
Sunday, February 1st at 1:30 - 3:00 pm
St. Louis Park location given after registration
In the Talmud, we learn that the 15th of Shevat is the New Year for the Trees. In medieval times, Kabbalists created a seder for the holiday modeled after the Passover seder, imbuing the rituals with an exploration of the Four Worlds of Creation. During this seder, we will learn, eat, and explore the wisdom of the Tree and her many fruits as taught by the Jewish mystics. Cosponsored by JPride and JCA.
Register Here: Limited Space so please RSVP by Wednesday, January 28.
$15 TCJRC Members, $20 Non-Members, and $5 Children Age 10+
November 2025
Documentary Style Interviews of Reb Zalman's life in Review by his daughter, Chana Tina Duskis
Documentary 1: The 18-Miracle Escape
Monday, November 10, 6:30 - 8:30 PM CT on Zoom
This first documentary focuses on Reb Zalman’s family’s harrowing escape from the Holocaust and their extraordinary and miraculous journey full of interventions by human "angels."
This is a great opportunity to learn about Reb Zalman Schacter-Shalomi and the founding of the Jewish Renewal movement. This is the first of three 1.5 hour documentaries. Members who knew Reb Zalman please join us the last half hour to contribute your first hand knowledge to our discussion.
RSVP to Shoshtcjrc@gmail.com for the Zoom link. TCJRC Members free and nonmembers $5.00 at this link.
October/November 2025
Jewish Journeys : A Soulful Evening of Havdalah, Food, Music and Conversation
Rabbi Jill Avrin and Koleinu
Saturday, November 1st, from 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Roseville Location
Join Twin Cities Jewish Renewal Community (TCJRC) for a soulful evening of prayer, conversation, music, and food. We'll unpack the theme of journeys through study, conversation, and music, discovering how we each connect our personal journey to the journey of the Jewish people. The program will include supper, Havdalah led by Rabbi Jill Avrin of YourJewish and songs led by Koleinu, a new band led by Tali Levin that celebrates contemporary Jewish living through communal singing.
TCJRC will provide a main vegetarian dish and drinks. Vegetarian or vegan potluck items appreciated. We will be at a venue in Roseville; the location will be shared closer to the event.
To be financially accessible to all, this event has a pay what you can option.
This event is sponsored in part by a St. Paul Jewish Federation Ignite Grant. If you are able to contribute an additional donation toward the event use this LINK, it would be appreciated.
October/November 2025
Expanding Gender in Kabbalah Workshop
Rabbi Michaela Brown
Sunday, October 26, from 2:45 - 4:15 PM
St. Paul Location
Kabbalah, the core of Jewish mysticism and many of its texts, including the Zohar, are historically linked to medieval times. The 10 Sephirot ("Eminences") that make up the Divine are the building blocks of Kabbalistic thought. The rabbis' descriptions of the Ten include their associations with a distinct duo of Masculine and Feminine.
What does it mean to engage with these concepts in the 21st century, where we have scholarship that dismantles gender binaries and broad acceptance of romantic/sexual intimacy between people of the same gender?
Let's embark on the messy work of making sense of an old, yet rich mystical system, while bringing our own modern sensibilities. We'll learn some basics of the Sephirot system and notice how the gender binary of Kabbalah isn't as static as it first appears.
People of all genders and sexualities welcome; all participants must participate in a way that affirms LGBTQ+ identity.
No Fee with Registration
$10 Donation Appreciated
Bio: Rabbi Michaela Brown (she/her) is the associate chaplain for Jewish (and Interfaith) Life at both Carleton College and St. Olaf College. She participated in the joint Hebrew College and SVARA Talmud Pedagogy Fellowship where her capstone learning project at Hebrew College was reading about the creation of the first man and woman in the Zohar and analyzing it with queer theory.
September 2025
Torah Yoga with Diane Bloomfield
I Lift My Eyes to the Mountains/Ancestors (Psalms 121:1)
Diane Bloomfield- International Torah Yoga Founder
Wednesday, September 3 from 7 - 8:30 PM
Mount Zion Temple
The Twin Cities Jewish Renewal Community (TCJRC) and Mount Zion Temple are thrilled to host internationally-known Diane Bloomfield, the Israeli founder of Torah Yoga®, to lead a Torah Yoga® workshop for the Twin Cities.
Her unique approach combines Jewish mysticism and wisdom with yoga for a truly exceptional experience focused on learning and growing holistically. In the Hebrew word for mountain הרים we find a hint to our ancestors הורים. The Chassidic Rebbe Sfat Emet teaches: "The words of Torah are engraved in the body of a person, but they are hidden and need to be discovered." Through the study of Torah and the practice of yoga we will lift up our eyes to uncover the ancient-living qualities of Abraham and Sarah within our body, mind, heart and soul.
Members of TCJRC & Mount Zion $18 / person
Public $25 / person
Following the workshop, we will have light snacks, questions and books will be for sale. Please bring a yoga mat or blanket.
Bio: Diane Bloomfield was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, and made Aliyah to Israel in the 80’s. She lives in Jerusalem and has been immersed in the study and teaching of Torah and yoga for over forty years. Diane is the author of two books: Torah Yoga: Experiencing Jewish Wisdom through Classic Postures and Playing with Fire: Hebrew Doorways to the Jewish Soul. She teaches Torah and leads Torah Yoga classes and retreats in synagogues, schools and retreat centers in Israel, the United States and Canada, as well as on the web. Diane is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher. For more information, please see http://torahyoga.com/.
September 2025
Heritage Judaica Free Give Away
Tuesday, September 9 @ 4:30 - 6:00 PM
1171 Victoria Curve St., St. Paul
Sponsored by TC Jewish Renewal Community and J-Pride
Were you given 5 kiddush cups at your Bat Mitzvah? Have 4 Challah boards? 8 Menorahs? Did you rescue a challah cover from a thrift store or garage sale?
This is a free clearinghouse of surplus Judaica!
Adopt a new Judaica item! Or drop off what no longer serves you.
Come build community too!
April/May 2025 Events
First Night Jewish Renewal Passover Seder
Saturday, April 12 at 6:45pm
Get your tickets here! RSVP by Thursday, April 10
Come join us for a meaningful and joyous celebration of Passover at a community arts space in the Powderhorn neighborhood. Our Twin Cities Jewish Renewal Seder will be filled with traditional rituals, delicious food, and uplifting music, Jewish Renewal style. We are grateful for sponsorship from YALA!
Experience the story of Exodus in a unique and spiritual way, surrounded by a warm and welcoming and inclusive community. Whether you're a Passover veteran or attending for the first time, all are welcome to partake in this special evening. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with others, reflect on freedom and renewal, and enjoy a memorable start to the Passover holiday. We look forward to celebrating with you!
You will receive the location after you register. General tickets are $30 before taxes and fees. For $54, you can help to cover the cost of someone else's ticket. Don't let cost deter you! If you can't afford a general ticket, click the pay what you can ticket option and thendonate what works for you in the field below. Please contact Student Rabbi Adam Kersch for questions at adamtcjewishrenewal@gmail.com
Nava Tehila in Concert
Sunday, May 4, 7:00 pm at Beth Jacob Congregation
Co-sponsoring - Twin Cities Jewish Renewal Community
Tickets $18 per person on line through May 1, $20 at the door (family max is $36 online, $40 at the door)
Nava Tehila, Jerusalem’s Jewish Renewal Community, is one of the Jewish world's most innovative musical prayer communities. Its spiritual leaders: Rabbi Ruth Gan Kagan, Daphna Rosenberg and Yoel Sykes generate new prayer modalities, compose new music for prayer and train Jewish prayer leaders in the art of musical prayer leading.
Their music is sung in synagogues across Israel and throughout the globe.
November/December 2024
Kabbalah Coloring Workshop Sunday, November 10 @ 2 – 3:30 PM Led by Bonnie Resnick
Judaism Meets Curiosity: An Interactive Playful Experience Sunday December 8 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Kabbalah Coloring Workshop Sunday, November 10 @ 2 – 3:30 PM Led by Bonnie Resnick
Come learn how the mystical sparks of Kabbalah are felt and seen in our bodies and souls. We will explore Kabbalah concepts using David Friedman’s, The Kabbalah Coloring Book or your own artistic drawings.
Register Space is limited. Mendota Heights location sent with registration.
TCJRC Members $12, Non-members $18 (Fill in the d
Come learn how the mystical sparks of Kabbalah are felt and seen in our bodies and souls. We will explore Kabbalah concepts using David Friedman’s, The Kabbalah Coloring Book or your own artistic drawings.
Register Space is limited. Mendota Heights location sent with registration.
TCJRC Members $12, Non-members $18 (Fill in the dollar amount in other and write Kabbalah Coloring in comments)
Loving Our Own Bones - Spiritual Book Group Sun. November 17 @ 7 PM
Judaism Meets Curiosity: An Interactive Playful Experience Sunday December 8 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Kabbalah Coloring Workshop Sunday, November 10 @ 2 – 3:30 PM Led by Bonnie Resnick
A transformative spiritual companion and deep dive into disability politics that reimagines disability in the Bible and contemporary culture. A 2024 National Jewish Book Award winner and essential read on disability, spirituality, and social justice.
Everyone is welcome to participate. You can learn a lot and share in the discussion eve
A transformative spiritual companion and deep dive into disability politics that reimagines disability in the Bible and contemporary culture. A 2024 National Jewish Book Award winner and essential read on disability, spirituality, and social justice.
Everyone is welcome to participate. You can learn a lot and share in the discussion even if you have not had a chance to read it. Contact Sherry at tcjewishrenewal@gmail.com for the Zoom details.
Judaism Meets Curiosity: An Interactive Playful Experience Sunday December 8 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Judaism Meets Curiosity: An Interactive Playful Experience Sunday December 8 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Judaism Meets Curiosity: An Interactive Playful Experience Sunday December 8 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Led by Spruce Kraus
Want to invite more curiosity and playfulness into your spiritual practices and life? Together we will co-create a space for exploration through movement, stillness, sound and story.
Learn a simple tool, based in neuroscience, for turning on curiosity in the brain. Curiosity is really a superpower to lessen stress and aw
Led by Spruce Kraus
Want to invite more curiosity and playfulness into your spiritual practices and life? Together we will co-create a space for exploration through movement, stillness, sound and story.
Learn a simple tool, based in neuroscience, for turning on curiosity in the brain. Curiosity is really a superpower to lessen stress and awaken interest and discover expanded possibilities.
We will use simple techniques that are inspired by InterPlay to promote a playful sense of ease and an authentic sense of connection both to yourself and others.
Registration - St. Paul location given with registration. Suggested Donation TCJRC Members $12, Non-members $18 (Write Curiosity Experience in comments).
Twin Cities Renewal Community & JFCS's J-Pride present
Soulful Shabbat: Service & Dinner
The night will start with a Renewal-based musical Shabbat Service in an outdoor amphitheater led by Rabbi Sandra Razieli, Rabbi Debra Rappaport, Rabbi Jill Avrin, Rabbi Sholom Resnick Bell and Julie Dean. Following services, we invite you to stay for a delicious falafel dinner at the Nature Center. Adults $18 Child $6
January/February 2024
Rosh Chodesh Shevat Celebration & our TCJRC Fifth Anniversary Kick-off
Wednesday, January 10 at 6:30 - 7:45 PM
(If you like, you can grab some food from Byerly’s and meet us at 5:30 pm)
Led by Kohenet Riv Shapiro
at Byerly’s Community Room, 3777 Park Center Blvd, St Louis Park
Space is limited - Please RSVP. Suggested donation $10. Free for members.
We gather to celebrate the new moon of Shevat with Kohenet Riv Shapiro and the Twin Cities Jewish Renewal Community. Kohenet Riv will share teachings on the themes of the Hebrew month, guide us in music and chant, and open space for us to share what's on our hearts and be witnessed in community.
All people are invited to enter into the new month with awareness, inspiration, and community togetherness. Please grab some food from Byerlys that night and meet us.
Riv (they/them) is a queer artist and musician, outdoor educator and Kohenet. After seven years working with Jewish Renewal organizations in the Bay Area, Riv has moved back to Dakota land to serve as the Arts & Culture Producer at the Minnesota JCC. Blending the roles of Educator, Priestess and Artist, Riv is dedicated to sharing the wisdom and the medicine of their Jewish ancestors through adaptive, accessible, and liberatory means.
Tu B'Shevat Seder & Sing with Sarina Partridge
Thursday, January 25 from 6:30 – 8 PM
Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 West Franklin Avenue, St. Louis Park
Organic seder foods (fruits, nuts, and grape juice) provided. Space is limited - RSVP today! Suggested donation $10.
Celebrate the Jewish New Year for the Trees (Tu B'Shevat) with song, community and a kabbalistic seder* journey through the Kabbalistic Four Worlds of Creation. Local song leader Sarina Partridge will teach original songs, speaking to the themes of the holiday, for community singing - simple, satisfying harmony songs, taught by ear in a way that welcomes all singers. Sarina, Rabbi Debra Rappaport (Hineni), Terry Gips (TCJRC, Alliance for Sustainability), and Riv Shapiro (Minnesota JCC) will offer Tu B'Shevat teachings. All are welcome - come sing!
Presented in partnership with Twin Cities Jewish Renewal Community, Alliance for Sustainability and Hineni.
Sarina Partridge (www.sarinapartridge.com) is a musician, song-leader and educator in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sarina performs, teaches, and tours with a wide variety of music projects - place-based music inspired by time in wilderness, Eastern European and Yiddish song, community song-leading, old-time music... and everything in between.
*Seder is the Hebrew word for "order" and refers to a ritual meal. The Tu B'shevat seder dates back to the Jewish mystics of the 16th century and includes specific fruits, nuts, and grape juice/wine.
TCJRC Jewish Spirituality Book Group
Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul by Rabbi Naomi Levy
Sunday, January 14 from 7-8:30 PM CT on Zoom
All are welcome to participate even if you have not read the section.
Winner of the 2017 Nautilus Award in the Religion/Spirituality of Western Thought category.
In this inspiring book, Rabbi Naomi Levy sets off on a three-year exploration of the mystery behind a moving and mystical letter that Albert Einstein wrote in response to a grieving father about the unity that underlies all existence. The stories in the book are told with wisdom, wit and deep compassion and are an inspiring guide on how to live a more meaningful and connected life.
Read the first part of the section through page 179 on Listening to the Love Force: The Key to Intimacy and Uncovering Your Calling. For the Zoom link contact Sherry at TCJewishRenewal@gmail.com.
Save Sunday night February 18th for the following Book Group meeting.
October 2023
Songs to Re-Root and Remember with Sarina Partridge - Tuesday, October 24 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Join song leader Sarina Partridge (Minneapolis, MN) for an evening of joyful singing and deep connection. Sarina will teach original songs, speaking to the themes of Jewish diaspora and the natural world, for community singing – simple, satisfying harmony songs, taught by ear in a way that welcomes all singers. Come sing!
Sarina Partridge is a musician, song-leader and educator in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She feels most alive when learning, creating and sharing songs. Sarina performs, teaches, and tours with a wide variety of music projects – place-based music inspired by time in wilderness, Eastern European and Yiddish song, community song-leading, old-time music… and everything in between. She has a passion for connecting people with their own creativity and with community, and for using song to help build the world we all deserve. sarinapartridge.com
CLICK HERE to reserve your spot!
Suggested donation $10. Light snacks provided
Space is limited – RSVP today!
Presented in partnership with the
Contact Sherry at tcjewishrenewal@gmail.com with questions.