The Exploration Sessions
Your Questions Answered
Online | One-on-One or Group
This custom class is created by YOU!
Your curiosities, callings, and questions.
How it works:
You tell us what you want to learn, what piques your interest and curiosity and Rabbi Matthew will bring sources to explore.
These can include primary mystical sources, historical context, philosophical views, stories, contemplative music, experiential meditations and whatever else enriches the learning for you. The session can be focused on Jewish material or other religious and spiritual sources.
These classes are open to people of any background.
Your session can be one-on-one or with a group of friends or family.
What are your questions? What do you want to learn?
Schedule an introductory call with Matthew to start digging in.
Testimonials
Learning with Rabbi Matthew is an intellectual adventure marked with song and ruach
“Learning with Rabbi Matt is an intellectual adventure marked with song and ruach. He eagerly shares his broad range of knowledge and in-depth experience with anyone lucky enough to listen. I love how he can introduce new perspectives on old ideas, skillfully taking lessons from past chassidic masters and combining them with the latest concepts in Qi Gong, meditation and philosophy. His infectious smile and amazing energy are real motivators for his students. If I had any complaint, if you could even call it that, I would say that in every class he suggests new books and sources that I would love to explore but never have enough time for!”
I highly recommend taking any class that speaks to you!
“Matthew is a wonderful teacher who makes class accessible to students of all kinds from any religious or non-religious background. He injects humor and stories into his teachings to keep everyone engaged, but is able to communicate a powerful message. I highly recommend taking any class that speaks to you!”
— Kim Varieka
Matthew knows what he is talking about, AND you can talk to him!
“Matthew combines two sets of qualities that are not usually found together: deep Jewish erudition, sharp insights, and understanding of our rich textual tradition on the one hand, and on the other, a contemporary sensibility and an accessible menshlichkayt that allows him to reach and inspire people of any age. He knows what he is talking about, AND you can talk to him!”
Now as I dance towards death I have found in Matthew Ponak an exceptional life teacher
“As a curious female octogenarian my spiritual journey has been long and challenging. Now as I dance towards death I have found in Matthew Ponak an exceptional life teacher. He is young enough to be my grandson, yet brings that digital-savvy wisdom of youth, grounded in the body, related to the Kabbalah and Torah, which has helped me integrate, becoming whole by finding pleasure and joy in everyday existence.”
Rabbi Matthew brings a fresh eye and enthusiastic energy to any learning and teaching he does
“I have learned with/from Rabbi Matthew in a group setting and in chavruta one-on-one learning. Rabbi Matthew brings a fresh eye and enthusiastic energy to any learning and teaching he does. He is able to focus in very close on a text but also has the knowledge and ability to draw in strands from a multitude of other areas, including music, Chasidut, the natural world and more. He has a great depth and breadth of Jewish knowledge but also brings experience and knowledge in other areas to whatever he is teaching. He articulates his ideas and insights with clarity, care and a sense of calm.”