This past Wednesday evening, Feb. 9, 2011, at CJC, 50 women attended our 3rd Jewish Women's Circle event, entitled 'Painting the Soul Canvas'. The large turnout is a testament both to this JWC's esteemed repute and to the universal desire for creative expression. South African born presenter Neria Cohen led us in a uniquely wonderful workshop based on the teachings of Jewish mysticism. Neria travels the world with her innovative spiritual arts seminars and we were fortunate to have her come to Mission Viejo to guide us on a meditative journey.

To begin with, kudos to our interior designer Batsheva Bollinger who created an elegantly tranquil, spa-like setting with regal purple pageantry. A softly flowing fountain complemented the beautiful purple flowing fabrics throughout the room and flickering candlelight prepared us for the stillness and serenity the evening would bring. Thank you Batsheva for making such a special space for a very special JWC time!

Our dining from the opulently decorated buffet was a sumptuous serving of delicious, nutritious soups and salads, with a variety of flavorful fresh baked breads alongside. Analia LaRocca is JWC's amazing chef and we thank her and her helpers Roz Gantman and Cindy Cisneros for the wonderful dinner! No evening for women would be complete without wine and chocolate - both of which were served, with the huge chocolate chip cookie dessert having been baked by Bassie's hard working daughter, Mashie Marcus. Thanks so much Mashie!

After a warm welcome from both Siri Smith and Rebbitzen Bassie Marcus, we were introduced to Neria Cohen, who just flew in from her snowy home in Brooklyn to our delightfully sunny SoCal.

Neria's workshop topic for us was the 'Discovery of our Inner Sanctuary...A Journey through the Temple within.' At our tables Neria had set up an elaborate ensemble of painting/decorating supplies, a canvas tablet for each person, plus a paper diagraming the Holy Temple in Jerusalem .  Neria explained that in Kabbalistic teaching the Temple is a model for our soul. There is a verse in Exodus (25:8) that says, "They shall make for Me a sanctuary and I will dwell in them".  Neria explained that "in THEM" (instead of in IT ) means that God not only dwells in his holy Temple but resides in the sanctuary which exists within the human soul.

Part of the diagram of the Temple showed that the deeper inside the structure the more holy the space. Jewish mysticism teaches that we have two souls - the Godly soul which senses something beyond the physical world and the Animal Soul that is our physical existence, our raw energy. Both of these souls are important. G‑d wants us to live and thrive in our physical world; He provided us with miraculous bodies and senses and emotions. Yet the two souls are meant to work together to elevate the physical or superficial to the spiritual & the holy.

Neria then asked us to close our eyes & breathe deeply as she began her guided meditation session. The lights were dimmed, beautiful relaxing music was playing and Neria's lovely, soothing voice instructed us to relax every inch of our bodies & imagine a journey into our inner sanctuary. We inwardly ascended 15 steps from the outer Temple courtyard towards the animal altar. Here we channeled our animal soul energy upwards. We then entered The Holy space where our yearnings to nurture our Godly souls comes fully into focus. Finally we arrived at the Holy of Holies, where the spiritual & physical meet, where Heaven and Earth converge, where we are ONE with G‑d.

As we opened our eyes after this intense meditation Neria asked us to start painting whatever was brought forth from our journey within. She stressed that we are not to be judgmental or to listen to the voices in our head but paint through a process of thought and feeling, concentrating perhaps on color, shape and texture over form. Neria told us to be present in the moment and not be concerned about the end product.

I think everyone delighted in the opportunity to express ourselves with the paint, glitter, feathers, & jewels that Neria provided.  Those who felt so moved showed the group their creations and Neria offered thoughts on how each design had integrated the physical and spiritual through the medium of our artistic expression.

If this event sounds awe-inspiring by my brief description than it was all the more so by experiencing it. The immediate response to Neria's workshop was overwhelming positive and we were all so grateful to have had her come to share this with us. Thank you Neria Cohen!!

Great appreciation also goes out to Alejandra Paz who orchestrates, organizes and provides the tools to make our JWC hum smoothly! Also thank you to our Wed. night helpers extraordinare: Mushka and Mashie Marcus, Mushka Moscowitz, Brigitta Cymerint, Joelle Quinn, Andee Dekofsky, and Lucille Nuckols for staying late to help clean up!

Our next JWC event is coming up at the end of March and will deliciously prepare us for Passover!  Be sure not to miss it!  More info will follow via email.

May you find the door to your own inner sanctuary and may you never lose the key!

Dara Linson