The Vedanta Society Berkeley traces its roots to a dedicated group of devotees, who were inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s powerful lectures during his visit to the Bay Area in 1900. Among the ardent devotees, Sarah Fox (Premika), her sister Rebecca Fox (Radhika), Frank Rhodehamel, Mrs. Huey and others formed a regular Vedanta study and discussion group in Oakland, California under the tutelage of Cornelius Heijblon (later Swami Atulananda). This convivial intellectual group was instrumental in cultivating the Vedantic movement in the East Bay. In 1939, Swami Ashokananada established the Vedanta Society Berkeley under the auspices of the Vedanta Society of Northern California with the commitment and generous financial support provided by Sarah Fox, Rebecca Fox and other East Bay devotees. In 1970, Vedanta Society Berkeley became an independent center of the Ramakrishna Order. Thus, the visceral calling of the Vedantic spirit, ignited by Swami Vivekananda’s soul-stirring lectures of 1900, found a permanent abode in the Vedanta Society Berkeley. The Society today is active in a variety of intellectual, spiritual and devotional programs: spiritual retreats, meditation camps, prominent interfaith guest lectures, classes on Vedanta, ancient scriptures, Holy Trio and world religions, and other religious and spiritual celebrations. Swami Prasannatmananda, the Swami-in-Charge, welcomes all who would like to discuss their own spiritual quests or interested in knowing more about Vedanta.