Nov 5-7

Talmud and Texts Shabbat Keys to Heaven and Earth A Hasidic-Taoist Symbiosis

Rabbi Miles Krassen

An intensive weekend of study and practice focusing on fundamental teachings for aligning body, heart and mind with the universal energy flowing from the roots of our souls. Text study will focus on original Hebrew texts from the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and Maggid of Mezritch compared with Taoist classics. Insights from these teachings will be applied and cultivated through prayer, chant, meditation, and energy practices. All Hebrew texts will be translated and taught in English.

Nov 5-7

I Cannot Read Hebrew, I Never Went to Yeshiva, But I Want to Study Talmud

Arthur Kurzweil

There is no need to wait to begin studying Talmud. Now that we have the Steinsaltz Edition of the Talmud, anyone can begin to reap the benefits and rewards of Talmud study. During this retreat, we will devote ourselves to the study of a number of important Talmudic passages in an effort not only to understand the profound ideas embedded in the text, but also to gain the skills and experience necessary to continue Talmud study independently. You need no foreign language skills, no previous experience, only a willingness to explore this monumental spiritual work that Rabbi Steinsaltz has described as the central pillar of Jewish culture and perhaps the most important book in Jewish life. Texts will be supplied.

Nov 5-7

Siddur as Spiritual Roadmap

Rabbi Marcia Prager

Judaism as a tradition is a profound path of spiritual growth. Our great teachers have woven, in rich tapestries of poetry and prose, the image of a universe resplendent with the creative energies of Divine wisdom and love. The spiritual poetry of our tradition calls us to open our hearts to awe and wonder, to the Oneness that underlies and unites all being. We are called to respond with our love and commitment to be extensions of the Divine intention in this world. Join us for an adventure into the exhilarating spiritual language of the Siddur (prayerbook). In these sessions we will explore the meaning of prayer and learn hands-on skills for reclaiming the Siddur as a sophisticated tool for spiritual deepening and growth.

Nov 7-10

Beginning Meditation Retreat for Rabbis on the West Coast

Sylvia Boorstein & Rabbis Jeff Roth and Sheila Peltz Weinberg

This is a free meditation retreat for rabbis at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California. See Meditation in Jewish Life for details.

Nov 12-14

Eighth Annual Jewish Mens Retreat

click here to see schedule and details

Staff

Join a high-spirited weekend gathering of men from all over the US and Canada -- young men and seniors, straight and gay, secular and religious, Jewishly beginning and Jewishly well-versed. The weekend will highlight the kind of heartfelt davenning and mens sharing that fosters close community and personal growth. Our sessions will be filled with song, prayer, dance, drushodrama, fellowship, and of course, great food. Our focus will be the weekly Torah portion and other Jewish sources that provide a road map to men seeking growth and healing, both for themselves and in doing Tikkun Olam (community/planetary healing.) This retreat is a rare opportunity to spend time in a group of men interested in renewing themselves and their Judaism. No previous Jewish or mens group experience is assumed or required.

Nov 25-28

Thanksgiving Basherte Workshops for Singles Finding your Beloved, Your Soulmate

Efraim Eisen & Rosalie Harris-Eisen

Basherte is the Yiddish word for soulmate. In this workshop you will learn ways to get yourself ready for the meeting of your beloved. Weaving together ancient text, wisdom, and contemporary processes, the Basherte Workshop creates a welcoming, comfortable, and stimulating space to optimize both becoming and attracting a fitting partner. This unique workshop will follow the four worlds model, the connecting of body, heart, mind, and spirit, to develop the skills and confidence necessary for healthy relationships. We will examine relationship patterns and myths that have kept you stuck; practice talking to someone new; develop a greater awareness of how to make good relationship choices. Dyadic and group process, meditation and guided imagery, song, hevrutah (study partnership), prayer, and blessing will be part of the journey towards your beloved. The Basherte Workshop promotes respectful interactions, personal accountability, and honest communication. Relationship is defined beyond gender. If you are seeking a committed relationship, you are welcome here. The Basherte Workshop has received rave reviews across the United States and Canada. Attendees will be eligible for the Basherte on-line Match-making Service, only for Basherte Workshop participants.

Dec 3-5

Re-Dedicating the Inner Temple: The Spiritual Practice of Chanukah

Rabbis Shefa Gold and Miriam Klotz

This weekend retreat at the dark of the year will introduce a meditative element to the practice of Chanukah, by connecting each candle with one of the chakras and the corresponding sephirot on the Tree of Life within us. Each energy center in the body represents an inner temple. Our process will be to discern what desecration may have occurred there, cleanse the energy center, and light a candle to rededicate that energy in our lives towards holiness. We will use the practices of chant, silence, imagery and inner exploration to give new and richer meaning to our celebration of Chanukah.

Dec 17-26

Nine-Day (or Seven-Day) Meditation Retreat

Shoshana & Rabbi David Cooper and Rabbi Shaya Isenberg and Rabbi Jeff Roth and Eliezer Sobel and Bahira Sugarman

David and Shoshana will be returning once again this year to lead our popular silent winter retreat. The days that surround the Winter solstice are an especially powerful time for the inner gathering of the new life we hope to birth into the world during the next solar year -- the next century -- the next millennium. This retreat is designed to provide a special time and space for this work by connecting with the greater insight of our maggid, or inner guide. We will meditate in silence and chant together, learn mystical teachings, and work with guided kabbalistic meditations that help heal on a soul level. Most of our nine-day retreat will be spent in silence, in order to more fully hear the maggids still, small voice. All of our work will emphasize developing a powerful meditation practice that each retreatant, whether beginner or advanced, will take home. No previous experience in meditation, Judaism, or Kabbalah is required, but retreatants should be prepared to make considerable effort in the practice sessions. People of all ages and backgrounds have found this inner work enormously rewarding. Living in deep, personal silence in this kind of environment creates a spaciousness of mind that opens the heart to compassion and the mind to wisdom, leading to richer experience in everyday life.

Space permitting, some retreatants will be allowed to attend for the final 7 days only. Preference will be given to nine-day participants.

Dec. 30, 1999-Jan. 2, 2000

New Year's Eve Basherte Workshops for Singles: Finding your Beloved, Your Soulmate

Efraim Eisen & Rosalie Harris-Eisen

Looking for a meaningful and adventurous way to celebrate this special New Year’s? Retreat to the beauty and holy ground of Elat Chayyim to celebrate this Shabbat Millennium in a special way. We think that the risk of saying, "yes" to love is greater than the Y2K risk. If the power goes off, we will refund one-third of your fee.

. Music, Dance, Meditation, Yoga, Nature Hikes and Hot Tub
. Explore new ways to enhance your journey for your beloved
. Special Guests
. Joyous Sharing of Shabbat

Information and Registration: Weaving together ancient text, wisdom and contemporary processes, this unique workshop creates a welcoming and stimulating space to find your soul and your soulmate. The Basherte workshop follows the Kabbalistic Four Worlds Model of connecting body, heart, mind, and spirit. Dyadic and group process, meditation and yoga, song and blessing, and fun will be part of your journey. Everyone sincerely looking for a partner is welcome. Single parents, register early for special children’s program.

Participants are eligible for the new Basherte Online "Matchmaker."