In this event (14th Elul 5784; August 31st, 2023) the end of the journey of the Department of Mysticism and Spirituality at Zefat Academic College (Safed) was marked. An exciting, sad-happy event, which included a presentation by Prof. Marianna Ruah-Midbar Shapiro, memories of students and lecturers, a lecture by Prof. Moshe Idel, a special ceremony, a Playback show by the members of the department, songs and blessings.
From this page one can download the presentation, view seven galleries of the photographs of the event participants and the texts written for the event and its aftermath. There are also links to some videos from the event.
The event was produced by Sarit Biran, a graduate of the department – thank you! Most of the photographs of the event were taken by Yoni Lubliner, thank you!
Following it, participants wrote moving messages (see the photo gallery).
In the photo gallery below, see the invitation to the event, and a wide variety of photographs of the participants during it. (Click on any photo to enlarge it and for more information.)
Prof. Moshe Idel‘s lecture dealt with his biographical-professional path, which led him to teaching in a special manner (due to the apecial character of the students) in the Department for Mysticism and Spirituality. The recording of the lecture will be uploaded here soon.
In the gallery below are photographs in which Prof. Ruah-Midbar Shapiro or Prof. Idel are lecturing, as well as the concept-midrash that was presented at the opening of the event and excerpts of other documents presented at the event. (Click on any photo to enlarge it and for more information.)
גלריה ב - מריאנה ואידל
Prof. Idel received a certificate of appreciation from the members of the departmen. (See the certificate in the gallery.)
The members of the department also surprised Prof. Marianna Ruah-Midbar Shapiro with a certificate of appreciation. (See it in the gallery; click on any photo to enlarge it and for more information.)
גלריה ג - תעודות
At the end of the event, flower pots were distributed to all the participants, in which colorful flower seeds were buried, in the spirit of the verse “And from thence did G-D scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth” (Genesis 11, 9). The pots were watered with the fruit of the vine in a glass that was raised at the end of the evening.
In the gallery below you will see photos from the ceremony. (Click on any photo to enlarge it and for more information.)
גלריה ד - טקס
The department’s Playback Ensemble (cast by Rina Lavi, a student from the first cohort, and with the participation of Yotam Alantan, a graduate of the department, and Dr. Omri Ruah Midbar from the department’s faculty) presented towards the end of the evening. See them in the gallery below.
At the event, Thea Magia Ruah-Midbar was the singer. The closing song “Strengthened to the World” (מחוזקים לעולם) was filmed – watch here, and see also in the gallery. (Click on any photo to enlarge it and for more information.)
גלריה ה - אמנים
Graduates of the department, including Tali Elohev and Yigal Eran, gave speeches at the event, as well as faculty members of the department, including Prof. Oded Maimon and Dr. Adam Klin Oron.
The talk of the department’s graduate, Sarit Biran, in the event was recorded – watch here (in Hebrew).
She also presented a video she prepared – watch it here.
A video about the department, made by the graduate Omer Lahav towards the end of his studies, was presented in the event. See here.
The event included blessings by the president of the college, Prof. Aharon Kellerman, and from the acting vice president for academic affairs, Prof. Mohammed Wattad.
In the gallery below you will see the aforementioned speakers and greeters. (Click on any photo to enlarge it and for more information.)
גלריה ו - דוברים וברכות
Among the members of the department’s faculty who participated in the event: Prof. Ronit Meroz (Tel Aviv University), Prof. Yossi Schwartz (Tel Aviv University), Prof. Oded Maimon (Tel Aviv University), Dr. Adam Klin Oron (Van Leer Institute), Dr. Ariel Picard (Shalom Hartman Institute), Dr. Yoed Kadari, Dr. Neta Sobol, Dr. Yonathan Cahana-Bloom, Dr. Gadi Yishai (Tel Hai College), Dr. Hagar Lahav (Sapir College), Dr. Liron Hoch (Zefat College).
Among the students and graduates of the department who participated in the event: Tali Elohev, Yigal Eran, Daniel Plotkin, Omer Lahav, Hagit Bodenkin, Racheli Noam, Efrat Ben-Yosef, Rinat Muskal, Shir Raved, Danny Wasserman, Tamar Haddad-Galili, Hagar Peled, Michael Sela Avraham, Malka Lubliner, Maya Liver, Talshahar Marzouk, Bashmat Kochav, June Eyal, Sigal Hoch, Shrulik Kuris, Hayuta Bat Ari, Andrea Kovacs, Uria Shay, Coral Malhab, Anna Skripkin…
The event was also attended by fellows of the department, who have supported it in various ways over the years, including: Prof. Ofra Mayseless (University of Haifa), Dr. Gideon Taran, Dr. Felix Kaplan, Dr. Deborah Gamaliel, Shelly Picard.
Included in the gallery below are some group photos from the event. (Click on any photo to enlarge.)
גלריה ז - קבוצתי
In honor of the event and following it, speeches and other texts were written by various participants. See the gallery below (click to enlarge).
גלריה - מסרים
Unfortunately, the recording of the whole event isn’t available. For a playlist of several videos taken or presented at the event – click here. (The videos are also embedded on this page, above.)
