After studying Kabbalah throughout the year, Kol Isha (a woman's voice) will reflect on the now-trendy topic at an annual retreat from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 15 at the home of Temple Micah member Dale S.

To learn about Kabbalah, a subject both unfamiliar and difficult to most participants, the women and men of Kol Isha began by reading David Ariel's book, The Mystic Quest: An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism. Guest teachers filled in the blanks during monthly meetings and helped lay a foundation on the nature of Kabbalah.

Rabbi Zemel led the group on an introductory session in October that considered the nature of mysticism and its connection to religion.

In November, Jay McCrensky, a Kabbalah practitioner, teacher and author of Understanding Evil: Insights from Kabbalah, explained the 10 sefirot, or manifestations of God, a central tenet in Kabbalah that ascribes male and female characteristics to God. (Interestingly, the characteristics turn some modern stereotypes on their heads. For instance, power is assigned to the feminine side of God, while love and beauty are in the male column.) McCrensky shed light on the Kabbalistic influence on a number of contemporary Judaic practices, from Shabbat services to Pesach to mikvahs.

In December, Temple Micah member Bob Dorfman, who has studied Kabbalah, discussed the genesis of the Kabbalistic concept of tikkun olam, a key feature of Reform Judaism today. He explained that, while the practices differ, the spirit of Kabbalah is much the same as the spirit of contemporary Reform Judaism.

The remaining sessions focused on special topics related to Kabbalah. In January, Sue Roemer, cantor emeritus of Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, led the group in Jewish meditation practices. In February, Ori Soltes, a Georgetown University lecturer in art, history and theology, presented slides and gave an insightful talk on the relations hip between Jewish mysticism and Jewish visual art.

In March, Rabbi Zemel returned to discuss how a Kabbalistic understanding of Shabbat can enliven and enhance the Shabbat experience. And in April, McCrensky returned to discuss a Kabbalistic understanding of Pesach, and to lead the group in Kabbalistic chanting.