The Vision of the Reb Zalman Legacy Project
The Reb Zalman Legacy Project is a collaborative effort of the Yesod Foundation and Naropa University to preserve, develop and disseminate the teachings of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, better known as "Reb Zalman," an innovative leader in ecumenical dialogue and founder of the Jewish Renewal and Spiritual Eldering movements.
To this end, we hope to develop a unique on-line educational tool, giving users access to a virtual library of profound dimensions; a physical archival collection housed at Naropa University, providing a beautiful space for study, contemplation, and spiritual fellowship; a Contemplative Judaism M.A. program based on Reb Zalman's teachings at Naropa University; ecumenical, spiritual direction, and eldering workshops; and new books, booklets, CDs, and DVDs, developed from the wealth of Reb Zalman's material archive.
Important areas of intellectual and spiritual development to us are Deep Ecumenism (inter-religious dialogue), Paradigm Shift, Contemplative Practices, Ecology and Gaian Awareness, Spiritual Eldering, Psychology of Religion, Transpersonal Sociology, Jewish Mysticism, Hasidism, Jewish Renewal, Storytelling, and Sacred Music.
The Reb Zalman Legacy Project is a container that supports the evolving understanding of all of these ideas with the teachings of Reb Zalman as its core and foundation. We intend to preserve not only Reb Zalman's body of work, but also his process of renewal, so that his teachings will not become calcified and exist with meaning primarily for our generation alone. Therefore, with an eye to the future, we are building open access-pathways to primary texts, inviting new commentary, and providing new possibilities for spiritual fellowship.
"To Preserve, Develop, and Disseminate"
Through the unique partnership of the Yesod Foundation and Naropa University, each devoting its resources to this three-fold vision, we will create a lasting legacy from Reb Zalman's teachings of spiritual renewal.
Preservation
Preservation is specifically related to the physical materials of the Reb Zalman Legacy Archive at Naropa University. The importance of the archive in this project must be clearly understood; the archive is the gold standard of the Reb Zalman Legacy Project. As long as these materials are preserved, they are a useful resource for current and future generations, available for valuable research, extrapolation, and study.
Development
Because Reb Zalman wishes his legacy to be a "living" legacy, development is a major priority for us. Thus, the development phase of the Reb Zalman Legacy Project links the past to the future, making the physical archive a true resource for individuals and their spiritual growth.
Dissemination
Dissemination is the third phase in the project process and refers to the delivery-system for anything produced in the development phase. Since all genuine spirituality is concerned with the positive transformation of lives, we believe it is our responsibility to use this body of wisdom (the Reb Zalman Legacy Archive at Naropa University) to effect positive change in people's lives.
Making it Happen
The Reb Zalman Legacy Project is funded almost entirely by grassroots contributions from people like you. So if you like what you see here and appreciate the work we are doing, we ask you to please make a donation today . . . any amount will help us. Just click “Donations” in the left hand menu.
