Introducing the Deep Ecumenism Institute
The Deep Ecumenism Institute is Yerusha’s home for all educational programming related to the study of Deep Ecumenism, the innovative philosophy for inter and intra-faith dialogue, coined by Matthew Fox and championed by Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (z”l).
Join us as we journey with open hearts to The Holy Land,
led by Rabbis Nadya and Victor Gross
and Revs. Larry and Linda Daniels-Block
October 10-19, 2023
Walk in the footsteps of people of faith who carved the pathways that continue to entice pilgrims and seekers, the Children of Abraham and Sarah, to come and drink the milk and honey and breathe in the holiness and hope.
We will explore, pray, learn, and open to the present-day reality. We will come, not as mere tourists, but as visionaries; a group representing many faith traditions, engaging with one another’s Sacred Story and leaving seeds of our spiritual coexistence.
Our group leaders will engage travelers in shared spiritual practice, reflection and debriefing of daily experiences, powerful encounters with residents pursuing grassroots relationship-building and peacemaking – all with the goal of manifesting meaningful and healing interfaith relationships in our lives at home and in the dynamic Israel/Palestine region.
This video from our 2016 trip gives you a feel for the type of experience you can look forward to:
“This 2-week, interfaith trip to Israel, led by Rabbis Nadya and Victor Gross and Lutheran Pastors Linda and Larry Daniels-Block, was a unique and magical adventure – an exploration of the land and heritage of our respective faiths, and an opportunity to reveal something deep within each of us as we discovered the real meaning of shared tradition and deep ecumenism.” —Video by Steve Klaper.
What is Deep Ecumenism?
Meister Eckhart said: “Divinity is an underground river that no one can stop and no one can dam up.”
There is one underground river-but there are many wells into that river.
“…we would make a grave mistake if we confused the well itself with the flowing waters of the underground river. Many wells, one river. That is Deep Ecumenism.” —Mathew Fox
Reb Zalman z”l taught that we can and should find nourishment in traditions other than our own. He often reminded us that “you can’t get all your vitamins from one source.” In his last words to us all, published posthumously*, he adjured us to undertake “the more intrepid exploration of deep ecumenism in which one learns about oneself through participatory engagement with another religion or tradition.”
*Foundations of the Fourth Turning of Hasidism: A Manifesto
