This year marks the centennial of Sage-ing International’s beloved founder, Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, born in 1924 in Zholkiev, Poland in what is now western Ukraine. His story will be narrated in a three-part series by his daughter, Chana Tina (Schachter) Duskis of Israel. In the first part of this three-part series, she will be assisted by her eldest brother Rabbi Shalom Schachter, Reb Zalman’s student Rabbi Or Rose, and others. The episodes will be presented in a podcast video-type format, accessed via ZOOM.

The first episode tells the story of the Schachter family’s amazing narrow escape from the clutches of Hitler’s Holocaust. Their extraordinary, miraculous journey was assisted by many human "angels", shaping the character and vision of teenage Zalman. The story begins in Vienna in November 1938, two days before Kristallnacht ("The Night of the Broken Glass"), and takes us to their dramatic arrival at Ellis Island, New York on Passover Eve, April 1941.

Chana Tina weaves together one remarkable synchronicity after another in this first great Turning Point of her father’s life, illustrated with private family photos and anecdotes. The forgotten chapters of Reb Zalman's story will come alive, touching your soul with the incredible power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit. Join her as she shares family lore, an account that laid the foundation for Sage-ing International, as well as the Jewish Renewal Movement. 

Facilitators

Chana Tina (Schachter) Duskis is a Sage-ing Facilitator and member of the Faculty of The Yerusha Academy where she teaches training programs. 

Chana Tina is the youngest child of Rabbi Zalman and his first wife, Tziporah Faygl. May their memory be a blessing. Chana Tina grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba where her father taught. She enjoyed decades of parental guidance and influence throughout her life and hopes to continue his legacy by tiptoeing in his rather large footsteps, spreading Sage-ing wisdom throughout the world. 

Chana Tina is not retired but "Re-inspired,” lives in a small city called Bet Shemesh (House of the Sun) midway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and stands ready to share her 69 years of life experience, wisdom and stories with you.

Rabbi Or Rose will be interviewing Chana Tina for this series. A student of Reb Zalman, he is the founding Director of the Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership of Hebrew College.

A prolific writer, Rabbi Rose has published several books and articles on Jewish spirituality, interreligious engagement, and social justice. His newest book is a co-edited anthology entitled With the Best of Intentions: Interreligious Missteps & Mistakes (Orbis Books, September 2023).

Rabbi Rose is currently working on a biography of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel for teen readers, and completing his doctoral thesis at Brandeis University on Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi’s emergence as a Neo-Hasidic and interreligious leader.

For program information or

to request one of a limited number of scholarships contact:

Education Coordinator Rosemary Cox, r.cox@sage-ing.org