Symposium is the experiential ‘glue’ that cements all elements of Starr King School – high-residency students, low-residency students, core faculty and adjunct faculty, staff and trustees, into a single multi-religious, counter-oppressive Spirit of Life.

To enroll for course credit, click here. 

1.5 units of credit will be given to students who are currently enrolled in a degree program (certificate students and special students are not eligible for course credit). In order to obtain credit,  students must SIGN the attendance roster for each event.  In addition, you must work at least ONE work shift before or during Symposium.  Making certain that you are signed in is the student's responsibility.

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Reb Zalman stands at the borders of two traditions: Judaism and Sufism. He is both a Rabbi and a Sufi Shaykh, and he has also participated in significant conversation and meditation with the Dalai Lama (the story is recorded in the book, “The Jew and the Lotus”,). Reb Zalman grew up in the Ultra-Orthodox Chabad/Lubavitcher movement. He was appointed by the head of that tradition, along with his beloved colleague, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, to outreach to Jewish college students in 1949. Reb Zalman ended up following along as the generation “tuned in, turned on, and dropped out”, and even followed them to India to find enlightenment with yogis and gurus. Ultimately, Reb Zalman and his colleagues founded the nationwide spirituality movement now known as Jewish Renewal. His talks will focus on how an authentically multi-religious life can be a viable option for religious leaders. Reb Zalman will also receive an honorary doctorate. Please join us!

Venue: Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California
8:30am       SKSM ONLY - Breakfast  in the cafe                              
9:00          PUBLIC EVENT - Announcements   in the Main Hall
9:45            PUBLIC EVENT-  Reb Zalman in the Main Hall
10:40           Break  
10:45            SKSM ONLY - Small Groups: text work (havruta)   Meet with your
                        group in the 3rd Floor Lecture Hall, the Library, the Conference
                        Room, or the Pre-School Classroom
12:15pm     SKSM ONLY - Blessing and Explanation of Sacred Food by Baruch
                         Lunch
1:15               SKSM ONLY - Ritual in the 3rd floor lecture hall
                        Ritual Coordination:  Michelle Favreault (and faculty
                         participants Karen Erlichman, Susan Ritchie and Sarah
                         Moldenhauer Salazar)
2:15                SKSM ONLY - Closing of the morning and announcements
2:30                SKSM ONLY - Peaceful Open House at the Home of SKSM
                          President Rebecca Parker

Venue:  First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th Street, Oakland, CA  94612
   
4:45 pm           [Musicians] Load in, sound check, brief rehearsal 
6:00pm            PUBLIC EVENT - Honorary degree for Reb Zalman featuring 
                              music by Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks and members of the
                              Chochmat HaLev ensemble, Shirat HaLev, including Issa Nessim
                              Enver, Bon Singer, Jeannette Ferber, Lior Tzarfaty, Artyom Ash
                               and Sam Markewich.
                               Ritual Coordination:  Ibrahim Farajaje.
                              Words of Welcome by Rabbis David J. Cooper and Burt Jacobson
7:30                    PUBLIC EVENT - Reception  
8:30                    PUBLIC EVENT - Clean-up and out