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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 21h

My article “Hasidism through the Prism of Psychedelics, Psychedelics through the Prism of Hasidism: A Case Study” is now out in Harvard Theological Review. The project stemmed from an amazing find in the Zalman Schachter-Shalomi archives. If you can't access via your library, ask me for a PDF!

doi.org

Hasidism through the Prism of Psychedelics, Psychedelics through the Prism of Hasidism: A Case Study | Harvard Theological Review | Cambridge Core

Hasidism through the Prism of Psychedelics, Psychedelics through the Prism of Hasidism: A Case Study - Volume 119 Issue 3

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Looking forward to this panel on "Apocalyptic Imaginaries in Jewish Psychedelic Discourse" w/ @leorroseman.bsky.social, Natalie Bloch, and yours truly. March 21st at 4pm Sweden time (10am ET, 7am PT). More details & free registration here: calendar.prodwebb8.lu.se/evenemang/en...

calendar.prodwebb8.lu.se

End of the World: Apocalyptic Imaginaries in Jewish Psychedelic Discourse

Lunds universitet. In this webinar, we explore how apocalyptic imaginaries and psychedelic engagement intersect with Jewish thought, both in Israel and in the U.S. We consider how notions of aliyat ha...

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Reposted by Sam Shonkoff

Leo Baeck Institute London @lbilondon.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

We are happy to advertise the international Leo Baeck Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 (German academic year October 2026-September 2027). More information and how to apply: www.lbilondon.ac.uk/fellowship @dubnow.bsky.social

lbilondon.ac.uk

Leo Baeck Fellowship Programme | Leo Baeck Institute London

Applications are now invited for the international Leo Baeck Fellowship Programme 2026/2027 (German academic year October 2026-September 2027).

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

I’m teaching a public program TONIGHT via livestream and IRL in Berkeley on “Homeland, Exile, and Diaspora in Jewish Spirituality.” All are welcome. www.eventbrite.com/e/homeland-e...

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

This panel will illuminate the cultural significance of the Hopkins/NYU study and how its results might inform views on psychedelics, religions, & entanglements between them. Hosted by the GTU in collab w/Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics & Berkeley Center for the Study of Religion.

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

In a panel at the GTU (Berkeley) on June 11, Pollan will engage in discussion with Zac Kamenetz, who participated in the Hopkins/NYU study; anthropologist Aidan Seale-Feldman; anthropologist Bia Labate; and neuroscientist Michael Silver. Scholar of religion Sam Shonkoff will moderate.

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Publication of the scientific article from the Hopkins/NYU study was stalled for years. On May 19, Michael Pollan published his own article in The New Yorker about the study, its contexts, & its controversies. Then, the scientific article finally appeared on May 30 in _Psychedelic Science_.

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

The team sought to replicate/improve upon the 1962 “Good Friday Experiment.” Both studies asked: What happens when you give psilocybin to seasoned religious practitioners from traditions that don’t normally use psychedelics? Are they somehow primed? Do psychedelics change their religious outlooks?

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Entanglements between psychedelics and religion are nothing new. However, we now find ourselves at an intriguing moment in that history. Nearly a decade ago, a team of scientists from Johns Hopkins & NYU observed the effects of psilocybin on dozens of religious leaders from various traditions.

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Event on June 11: “Psychedelics and Spirituality in Light of the Religious Leaders Study,” at the GTU, w/ @michaelpollan.bsky.social, @zackamenetz.bsky.social, Aidan Seale-Feldman, Bia Labate, & Michael Silver, moderated by @samshonkoff.bsky.social. events.gtu.edu/event/gtu.ev...

events.gtu.edu

Graduate Theological Union | Event Details

View upcoming events for Graduate Theological Union

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Reposted by Sam Shonkoff

Michael Pollan @michaelpollan.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

At long last, religious leaders study published, in Psychedelic Medicine | Ahead of Print www.liebertpub.com/toc/psymed/0/0

liebertpub.com

Psychedelic Medicine | Ahead of Print

Psychedelic Medicine

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

May 2025 is a big month in psychedelics & religion, kicked off by @michaelpollan.bsky.social's piece today, which contextualizes the scientific article that will (finally!) come out this month on the Hopkins-NYU study of psilocybin effects on religious leaders from nearly a decade ago. Great piece.

newyorker.com

This Is Your Priest on Drugs

Dozens of religious leaders experienced magic mushrooms in a university study. Many are now evangelists for psychedelics.

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Israeli police inform protestors that they can no longer hold up “photos of children or babies from Gaza.” Let that fact sink in.

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Reposted by Sam Shonkoff

Oxford Interfaith Forum | Interfaith Academia 🏅🏅 @oxfordinterfaith.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

📕 Book Presentation "Seeking the Hiding God" 🌟Professor Arnold Eisen in conversation with 🌟Revd Prof Serena Jones, and 🌟Prof Sam Shonkoff More information 👇 and registration 🔗

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

I think my talk will be cool, but I'm most excited to listen to these other three papers. Sweet session. Come say hi if you're still alive next Tuesday morning in San Diego! #aarsbl24 #sblsaar24

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 13/08/2024

A matriarchal culture probably wouldn't use the phrase "contemplating your navel" as a shorthand for unproductive thinking.

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Sam Shonkoff @samshonkoff.bsky.social · 06/12/2023

New article: "Child Mind in Hasidic Spirituality." Hasidic celebrations of the “simple person's" capacity for spiritual connection is well known. An oft overlooked image, though, is that of the child, whose "beginner" consciousness may be emulated by adult seekers. www.academia.edu/110219703/Sa...

academia.edu

Sam Shonkoff, "Child Mind in Hasidic Spirituality," in Eitan P. Fishbane and Elissa Russ-F...

The normative texts of Jewish tradition tend to portray young children as not-yet-adults. There are expressions of excitement for them to grow up and perform actions of Torah study, marriage, and righ...

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