The Baal Shem Tov, or Besht —  the founder of Chasidism — 
met the soul of the Messiah during an ascent to heaven. 
The Besht asked him, "When will the Master come?" 
The Messiah answered, "When your wellsprings break forth to the outside!" 
(from a letter written by the Besht to his brother-in-law about one of his soul ascents) 

The Mission

NeoHasid.org will open the door to people who would like to benefit from Chasidic songs and Chasidic practices of deveikut (deep connection). NeoHasid.org will be egalitarian in many other senses, giving access to anyone who wants to connect their own spiritual practice with Chasidic traditions. This means actively including women's voices, based on the belief that men and women must have equal power in determining the shape and direction of Judaism.

NeoHasid.org will also give equal respect to all the ways that exist for practicing Judaism. One of the sweetest aspects of the first Chasidic egalitarian minyan in Manhattan is that it brought together all kinds of committed Jews, from every movement. NeoHasid.org will model this achdut (unity) by soliciting and promoting music, teaching and offerings contributed by people in every part of the Jewish community.

NeoHasid.org will participate in creating and developing what people call "neo-Hasidism." This will include tracking the use of Chasidic nusach and customs in new contexts, and connecting people to what's happening. Finally, NeoHasid.org will promote ways in which minyanim already using some Chasidic nusach–whether they are Orthodox, egalitarian or somewhere in between–can deepen their connection to these traditions.

You can read a longer version of what NeoHasid.org is about here.

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Design in progress © Rabbi David Mevorach Seidenberg 2006