Safed - the centre of Jewish mysticism. 'Blue' meeting as part of our Foundation's educational project

On 6.10.2023, at the Municipal Library in Mszana Dolna, we met with the participants of our educational project "The story of bicultural, pre-war Mszana Dolna". This time we went on a virtual journey to one of the 4 holy cities of Judaism and an important centre of Jewish mysticism, Safed. Urszula Antosz-Rekucka told the audience about this unusual 'blue' city, the highest in Israel, its monuments, beautiful synagogues and ancient cemetery. We looked together into the ancient, venerable synagogues associated with central figures of the Jewish Kabbalah, such as Joseph Karo, Isaac Luria and Solomon Alcabec.  The participants learned the basics of their mystical teachings, the concept of tikkun olam - the repair of the world - and the symbolism of the Hebrew letters and the beautiful teachings about God's sparks scattered in the world, which man with every good deed, but also with well-done work, kindness and prayer, raises and gathers anew, participating in the work of world renewal.

Safed is also a city of artists and galleries and a centre of klezmer music.  A few nigguns - songs based on psalms and other sacred texts, Shlomo Carlebach's compositions - were performed by Jakub Antosz-Rekucki.

After the spiritual nourishment, it was time for refreshments - blue sweets, cheeses and olives for which Safed is famous. As Shabbat was just beginning, blue candles were lit and those gathered enjoyed freshly baked challah.

The event was broadcast online on the FB channel Sztetl Mszana Dolna, and the recording will soon be on the YouTube channel @sztetlmszanadolna.

Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the EtnoPolska.Edition2023 programme of the National Centre for Culture.

The meeting is under the Honorary Patronage of the Town Mayor Anna Pękała.

We would like to invite you to the next event on 20.10.2023. It will be a summary of the photographic workshops at the Jewish cemetery, led by Agnieszka Traczewska, with an exhibition of the most interesting works and the promotion of the 2nd edition of the monograph on the Jewish cemetery. And on 17.11.2023, at the end of this year's edition of our project, we will talk about Bolesław Leśmian, one of the most outstanding Polish poets of Jewish origin.