How Does It Feel? A Bob Dylan Shabbat

co-presented by Asheville JCC, Beth Ha Tephila, Beth Israel and Center for Jewish Studies at UNCA

Friday afternoon, 3pm at Brown Hall at UNCA 

On the Spiritual Soundtracks of Our Lives

How does popular music illuminate the spiritual pathways of our lives? Join us for a conversation on the meaning embedded in the music we love (with a unique emphasis on Bob Dylan) with authors Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff, poet and scholar Rick Chess, and other friends. Books will be available for purchase.
Please register for parking at UNCA here.

Kabbalat Shabbat at Beth Ha Tephila, 43 North Liberty Street, 7pm

“Oh Sister” – Greeting the Sabbath Queen with Bob Dylan

Jewish lore speaks of the Sabbath as a union of two star-struck partners, whose love animates the worship that welcomes the Sabbath and carries us on the wings of song through Saturday night. We’ll greet the “Shekhina,” or Sabbath Queen, with melodies inspired by Bob Dylan, and accompanied by community clergy and special guests.

Shabbat Morning Services – D’var Torah and Reflection at Beth Israel, 229 Murdock Avenue, 9:30am

How Does It Feel? Dylan’s Many Masks and What It Means for Us

Purim is the season of masks, of extremes, of stories and rituals that challenge our day-to-day in order to teach us something new – just like rock and roll and just like Bob Dylan. Scholar and writer Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff will share a vision of masks and deeper understandings at the nexus of the wisdom of Purim and good old Bob Dylan.

Class after Kiddush luncheon/1pm(featuring Dylan’s own Heaven’s Door whiskey!), Beth Israel

About Man and God and Law: The Spiritual Wisdom of Bob Dylan

Join Stephen to continue the conversation on the spiritual wisdom of Bob Dylan, exploring themes and texts from his songs in context of classic Jewish wisdom.

Havdalah at the Asheville JCC, 6:30 pm

Havdalah: Tryin’ to Get to Heaven Before They Close the Door

with Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff and Special Musical Guests

Bring out the Sabbath with a Dylan-inspired Havdalah and sing-along with Stephen and special musical guests.

OUR SPEAKER

Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff illuminates the intersection of popular culture and religion. His book About Man and God and Law: The Spiritual Wisdom of Bob Dylan has been called “evocative,” “soulful,” “stirring,” and “a revelation.” Teaching and lecturing around the world, Stephen lives in Jerusalem, where he is CEO of the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center. Find out more at www.mangodlaw.com.

BOOKS

Malaprops will be on site Friday afternoon and Saturday evening to facilitate book sales.