Spark of the Divine: What a Moment Can Hold

Wednesdays, April 3, 10, 17, May 1, 8, 15, 2024

12-1:30 p.m. Eastern

The kabbalists speak of the discovery of “a divine spark” as identifying one’s purpose and the meaning in existence. We do our part to repair the world by seeking to reveal the meaning, truth and purpose that is concealed. Essayist and memoirist Abigail Thomas calls these moments “the shock of truth” or “moments that feel like body blows.” In this Immersion, we’ll explore flash nonfiction, sections of essays and memoir excerpts that illustrate transformative, clarifying moments and allow time to write our own.

All sessions will be recorded and sent to participants. We encourage live attendance for you to get the most out of the experience.

Ellen Blum Barish is the author of the spiritual memoir Seven Springs (Shanti Arts, 2021), the essay collection Views from the Home Office Window (Adams Street Publishing, 2007), and a contributor to Chicago Storytellers From Stage to Page (Chicago Story Press, 2020). You can find her personal essays in Tablet, Lilith, Brevity’s Blog, Full Grown People, Literary Mama, and The Chicago Tribune and hear them on Chicago Public Radio. She founded the literary publication Thread, which earned four notables in Best American Essays. Ellen has taught writing at Northwestern University, Chicago-area synagogues, and writer’s studios, including Story Studio Chicago and Lighthouse Lit Fest. She works privately with writers on essay collections and memoir.