Rabbi Diane Elliot

As a college student Rabbi Lavey began to explore the world of Kabbalah and Eastern European Hasidism, which became the foundation of his own spiritual life. He is blessed to have had remarkable mentors and teachers on this journey, including Reb Zalman, Rabbi David Cooper, Rabbi Art Green, Sylvia Boorstein, and Professor Melila Hellner-Eshed. He currently teaches Zohar and Hasidic Commentaries on Parshat HaShavua and leads meditation infused with Jewish wisdom. Rabbi Lavey was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary and trained to be a spiritual director in Morei Derekh. He is an eighth-generation direct descendent of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, for whom he is named, and comes from a family line of rabbis that traces back to the 16th century.

Rabbi Diane Elliot is a ritual leader, spiritual director, and teacher of Jewish embodiment based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ordained at the transdenominational Academy for Jewish Religion, California, and active for more than 25 years in the Jewish Renewal Movement, she inspires spiritual seekers to become clearer channels for Presence through awareness and movement practices, chant, and nuanced interpretations of Jewish sacred text. Previously trained as a modern dancer, choreographer, and somatic movement therapist, Diane performed in venues across the U.S. and Europe and received numerous choreographic grants and commissions. She currently serves as a Program Director for ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal, co-founder of Taproot, and is a founding member of the Embodied Jewish Wisdom Network. She has authored four books of sacred poetry, most recently Traces: Poems, Prayers, Torah. Learn more about Rabbi Diane’s work and writings at www.whollypresent.org.

Photo by: Susan Freundlich