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Published on May 15th, 2018 | by Leah Lazer

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Scholar in Residence

Bring Rabbi Margalit to your institution as a Scholar in Residence, for a speaking engagement, Shabbaton, interactive workshop, or for customized rituals and text studies. Click here to download our 2019 Program Offerings flyer.  Click here to see examples of past events and classes.

Our Approach

Albert Einstein said, “You can’t solve a problem with the same kind of thinking that got you into the problem in the first place.” For a long time we in the Western world have tried to control, manipulate and use the world by breaking it down to smallest parts. Now, we’re learning how to reconnect.

Organic Torah integrates ancient Jewish wisdom with new directions in modern thought such as ecological and systems thinking. This approach to Jewish texts focuses on patterns, recovers the organic vibrancy of our traditions, and helps reveal their relevance to modern lives.

As one participant in our classes puts it, Organic Torah “pairs modern day science writings with stuff out of the Torah, the Mishnah, and the Talmud in the same way that a chef would pair wines with food.” We’d love to bring our delicious pairings to your congregation or institution!

Workshop Menu

Choose from the topics below, or suggest your own idea.

1. Ecological Judaism for the 21st Century

• Find an Eco-Jewish perspective that inspires us to action.
• Explore Jewish contributions to fighting climate change, ecological degradation and creating a flourishing world.
• Develop new ways to see ourselves as integral parts of the miracle of Life.

2. Organic Torah: A New Synthesis

• Find a new harmony between science and religion.
• Explore how Jewish “organic thinking” helps us with in many areas from environment to spirituality, from health to social justice.
• Develop a new, integrated way of looking at Jewish texts, nature and ourselves.

3. Tree of Life Learning: How to Read Classic Jewish Texts So They Come Alive

• Find the deep meanings hidden in perplexing biblical, rabbinic and mystical texts.
• Explore the ways that these ancient texts give insights into our own lives.
• Develop confidence and skills in opening up the secrets of our textual heritage.

4. The Holistic Spiritual Journey: Jewish Paths to Connection, Creativity and Fulfillment

• Find a combination of traditional and innovative Jewish paths to spiritual growth.
• Explore meditation, movement, dynamic discussion, textual play and more.
• Develop your own skills and practices for continued spiritual growth.

Additional examples of past workshop titles:

    • Three Bridges from Ancient Wisdom to Social and Ecological Justice
    • Emergent Judaism: How an Ancient Tradition Gets New Ideas
    • Exploring an Ecology of Torah Texts
    • Ecological Justice and Judaism: A Deep Shift in Consciousness
    • Why Bother? Mitzvah, Hope, and Planting a Garden
    • Roots of a Jewish Ethics of Eating
  • Beyond the Culture of Control

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  • Rabbi Natan Margalit, Ph.D.

    RABBI NATAN MARGALIT, Ph.D.
    Founder, President, Principal Teacher at Organic Torah

    Natan Margalit was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He received rabbinic ordination at The Jerusalem Seminary in 1990 and earned a Ph.D. in Talmud from U.C. Berkeley in 2001. He has taught at Bard College, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College. Natan is Rabbi of The Greater Washington Coalition for Jewish Life, in Connecticut. Natan is a member of the Va’ad (Core Faculty and Steering Committee) of the ALEPH Ordination Program, where he is Director of Rabbinic Texts. He is Founder and President of Organic Torah. He lives in Newton, MA with his wife Ilana and their two sons.

  • Testimonials

    “Rabbi Margalit is a phenomenal teacher and speaker – he is a darshan, magid and rebbe at all once. He brings a deep and genuine love for Jewish text, and blends it with the richness of our Hasidic story telling tradition. He is a truly magnetic speaker, capturing our hearts and minds with his accessible style and deep wisdom.”
    — Rabbi Daniel Berman, Temple Reyim, Newton, MA

    “Loved Natan’s class and his deep understanding of Torah mixed with contemporary environmental texts.“
    — Kyle, Urban Adamah Participant, Summer 2017


Organic Torah, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation based in Massachusetts. All materials on this website are copyright © 2010-2017 Organic Torah, Inc., except where otherwise indicated. All rights reserved.



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