Class Description and Biography

Suggested Ophanim Two-Day Intensive Workshop. The workshop gives an introduction to the meaning and functions of the the Hebrew letters according to the oldest text of the Kabala, the Sefer Yetzirah or "Book of Creation/Formation" . It includes intensive practice of the basic Jewish meditation technique which is the foundation of the inner work with the letters. The workshop teaches practice of the Ophanim letter postures including their use in healing, and special combinations. The classes will be taught by Zvi Zavidowsky.

Biography: Zvi Zavidowsky, Director, Nefesh Haya School

Zvi Zavidowsky has a B.A. degree in Religious Studies. His background includes studies of religions, philosophy, meditation, martial arts, and naturopathic medicine. He began to practice Zen meditation at age 15, followed by immersion in the teachings of Gurdjieff and the Sufis for 20 years. He began to practice orthodox Judaism in 1985, eventually coming to Israel to learn and work. He returned to the U.S. in 1989 where he was initiated into an ancient system of Jewish meditation, as well as the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov and kabbalah. He later received the teaching of Ophanim, Jewish internal exercises/meditation working with the Hebrew letters. He started to teach meditation in 1991 and is currently the director and head teacher of the Nefesh Haya School of Prophetic Jewish Meditation and Ophanim. Since 1996 he has continued to teach workshops on Ophanim and Jewish meditation throughout the US, England, and Canada, including the training of teachers such as Rabbi Yitzchak Marmorstein and Dr. Gabriel Cousens. He spoke on these subjects at two conferences on Jewish meditation at UCLA Hillel and Metivta in Los Angeles, CA in 1998. He and his family came to Israel on aliyah in 1999 where he has continued to learn and teach at the Nefesh Haya School near Jerusalem.

Zvi Zavidowsky is featured in an article on Jewish Healing practices in Hadassah Magazine (July, 1999) by Judith Feiner.

For information call:

(outside of Israel) 972-2-579-5587

(in Israel) 02-579-5587

Website: http://www.angelfire.com/pe/ophanim

e-mail: ophanim@zahav.net.il .