Chaya Kaplan-Lester
EDUCATION:
- CaliforniaInstitute of Integral Studies, MA Clinical Psychology,
San Francisco ('04-'07)
- Oxford University, Doctoral studies in Jewish Theology, Oxford (‘01-‘03)
- Pardes Institute of Jewish Learning, Jerusalem ('97 - '99)
- University of Pennsylvania, B.A. Religious/Jewish Studies & English Lit.;
graduated Cum Laude, Philadelphia ('93- '97)
JEWISH EDUCATOR/TEACHER:
“Experiential Torah” classes in several contexts:
- Isralight "Inward Bound Program" ('11)
- Shirat Devora Women's Midrasha, Jerusalem ('10-'11)
- Ha'Ohel “Open Tent Judaism," Jerusalem ('09-'11)
- Berot Bat Ayin Women's Midrasha, Bat Ayin ('08-'10)
- BCVS Inpatient Center for girl's with eating disorders, Jerusalem ('09-'10)
- Chochmat HaLev Center for Jewish Spirituality, Berkeley ('04-'07)
- Bayit Chadash Center, Israel ('01-'04)
- Rosh Chodesh gatherings at Moshav Modiim & other venues ('01-current)
PSYCHOTHERAPIST:
- Private practice, Jerusalem ('07-current)
- Leader of "Circle Works" Groups, Jerusalem ('09-current)
- The Creative Living Center, Berkeley ('06-'07)
LEADER OF SEMINARS/RETREATS:
- Elat Chayyim Jewish Retreat Center, New York State ('02-'04),
- The Jewish Women’s Spirituality Conference, San Francisco ('06)
- The Aleph Kallah ('03)
- England’s Limmud Conference ('02)
WRITER & ARTIST:
- Write/Performer of "Babel's Daughter" one-woman interactive theater
- Originator - "Parsha Poetry Project," Multi-Media Poetic Torah Commentaries
- Author - Articles and poems for numerous magazines and anthologies including:
A Different Light, Anthology of Israeli Writers, Our Lives, Heartbeats,
The Deronda Review, Maayan, Philomel, Mimaakim, Zapta, etc. (1998-current)
- Teacher/Leader - Creative Writing Groups, Israel ('01-'09)
- Writer & Performer - Ritual Theatre at Chochmat HaLev - creating interactive theater for Jewish holidays, Berkeley (‘05-‘07)
- Editor/Ghost-Writer - best-selling Soul Prints ('99) and The Mystery of Love ('02)
- Artist in Residence - Fig Tree Fellowship, melding Torah & poetry, Jerusalem (2000)
- Drama/Dance Instructor - Memphis JCC (’93), Camp Darom (’97)