Founded in January 2000 by the late Rabbi Alan Lew z"l and Norman Fischer, Makor Or offers morning meditation on Thursdays, day-long retreats several times a year, and occasional classes on various topics relating to Jewish meditation.
The meditation practice of Makor Or is Jewish meditation, but it draws its technique from basic Zen meditation practice.
Morning meditation is led by the Director of Makor Or, Pam Reitman, who was a student of Rabbi Lew's for many years. Retreats are led by Norman Fischer, the co-found of Makor Or, and Rabbi Dorothy Richman, Interim Executive Director and Rabbi in Residence at Berkeley Hillel. Rabbi Richman also served at Congregation Beth Sholom as Assistant Rabbi with Rabbi Lew.
In addition to the programs running at the JCCSF building, Makor Or holds meditation sessions at Congregation Beth Sholom on Mondays, 6:20-6:50 am (prior to the morning minyan and Torah study) and on Fridays 5:50-6:20 pm (prior to the Kabbalat Shabbat service). (Friday meditation on 11/6 is canceled due to the Shabbat Retreat at the JCCSF building. See below for details.) Beth Sholom is located at 301 14th Avenue (at Clement Street). For more information, email Pam Reitman at pam@pamreitman.com.
Makor Or is a program of the San Francisco Jewish Community Center, located at California and Presidio, in San Francisco.
