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This course is an introduction to some of the great spiritual visionaries of Hasidism — the teachers whose lives helped shape Jewish history for generations. Among them, the Baal Shem Tov, the Baal HaTanya, Reb Levi Yitschak of Berditchev, The Rebbe Elimelech and his brother Reb Zusha, Rebbe Nachman of Breslau. There are quite a few!
Each week we will encounter a different Hasidic teacher. Through biography, historical context, traditional stories, and the melodies they sang or inspired, we will explore each figure’s unique spiritual voice and the heart of their teaching.
Together we will ask: What made this person’s life and teaching distinctive? What message did they offer for the human soul — in struggle, in joy, in everyday life? How do their teachings speak to us today?
This course offers both a rich learning experience and an experiential journey—through melody, storytelling, and profound teachings.
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
Course Structure
The course is lecture based. It offers both a rich learning experience and an experiential journey—through, for example, melodies and storytelling.
Prior Knowledge
The course is given in English.
No prior knowledge about the subject is needed.
To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom.
Course Material
Course material is included in the cost for this course.
About the Teacher
Hanna Yaffe is a speaker, storyteller, and singer, known for building bridges and nurturing peace through the intertwined languages of story and song. A voice of healing, love, and unity, she collaborates with musicians and storytellers from diverse religious backgrounds—including Christians, Hindus, and Muslims.
Born in London to a Rabbinic family, Hanna lives an observant Jewish life. She teaches widely about the Hasidic movement, bringing its stories, melodies, and spiritual depth to life.
Her acclaimed anthologies—Lullabies from Jerusalem and Birth in a Time of Bloodshed—have received prestigious awards, exploring universal themes of love, hope, and motherhood. She also compiled Return Again, a collection of Hasidic tales.
She lives in Jerusalem with her husband, close to her seven (wonderful!) grandchildren.