Programs

December 20-27, 2012

Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center, Corralitos, CA (near Santa Cruz),

www.polmountainretreat.com

Registration is open until November 20^th

Too often we walk through life with a heart closed to ourselves and the world, trying to protect ourselves from being hurt and overwhelmed and so missing the fullness and beauty of life. At other times, we seem flooded and overcome by the raging waters of emotion and lose ourselves in anger, self-pity, anxiety and confusion. Yet there is a middle way, as the sages describe it, between the ice of emotional numbness and the burning fire of emotional explosion, it is the open heart of love and compassion. Over this week, using the techniques of mindfulness, prayer, and silence we will gently open our heart.

Participants are welcome to follow their own particular religious practices and traditions on the retreat which is open to everyone. Food will be kosher, vegetarian, and delicious.

For more on what to expect from the retreat experience, please see www.orhalev.org/retreats

To see a sample daily schedule, click here. Registration is open until November 20^th.

About the teachers:

Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels teaches Jewish thought, mysticism, spiritual practices, and meditation at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and Yeshivat Hadar and the Drisha Institute in New York City, and leads Jewish meditation retreats in Israel and North America. James is known for his grounded, insightful, and personal teachings, and his ability to make texts and concepts relevant to how we live our daily lives, Listen to his teachings at www.orhalev.org/teachings.

Dr. Zvi Bellin
Thursdays: August 9, 16, 23, and 30
7pm
Location: Chochmat HaLev

Prepare for the High Holy Days by cultivating awareness, compassion and community.  In this group we strengthen our connection with each other, and support each other and our spiritual practice.  We will begin with greetings and gratitude, and then we will alternate chanting and silent sitting in order to settle in and become more present with each other. We will have an opportunity to share what is going on in our lives through a facilitated check in over tea.

Perfect for those new to meditation and experienced meditators who want to strengthen the social aspect of spiritual practice.

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We all know religions say “no” to many aspects of sex, but what does Judaism say, “yes…yes…YES!” to? Cozy up in our living room with dinner and lively discussion hosted by Zvi Bellin, Ph.D. and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. The conversation will focus on sex, particularly as it relates to various cultures and customs, as well as what Judaism encourages and what the Torah can teach us about how to properly treat our sexual partners. Join us in a Jewish, sex-positive environment, where all questions are welcome.

Have you ever felt like an outsider in the Jewish Community? Sometimes what makes you an outsider is the exact gift that you can bring to your community. Nehirim and the JMC are two organizations that are expanding the boundaries of what Judaism looks like. In this workshop we will share some “war stories,”  discuss how to carve your own space in the Jewish world, and learn some practices of self-acceptance as a first step towards healing.

342 Smith Street
Brooklyn, 11231

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (ET)

Contemplative Sufi-Jewish Retreat

with Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks, Prof. Dr. M Ibrahim H. Baha’uddin Chishti,
 and Dr. Zvi Bellin

Angelica Center, Santa Rosa
May 11-13, 2012

Join a unique experiential weekend where two spiritually rich cultures collide to increase the qualities of wholeness and awareness in your life. The mystical expressions of Sufism and Judaism have a long-standing tradition of co-mingling – inspiring in each other ecstatic and subtle practices that honor every person’s connection with the Divine.  Our weekend will include an array of practices from both traditions, expertly guided to form a holy community where each member will have the opportunity to deepen their connection to themselves and the world around them. We will hold friendly silence throughout the retreat, promoting inner-stillness by refraining from idle chatter. There will be singing, chanting, and ample opportunity to ask questions. 

Our weekend will include:

Inner Awakening with Breath and Body Awareness
Dhikr: Sufi Ceremony of Divine Remembrance
Contemplative Ecstatic Prayer for Shabbat
Mysticism of the Arabic Letter Alif
Four Worlds Torah Study
Five Nourishing Meals

Tell All Perspectives Presents:

 

COUNSELING SPIRITUALITY & SEXUALITY ISSUES

A Conversation with Dr. Zvi Bellin

 

Tuesday, November 29th at 5pm

The Wright Institute
2728 Durant Avenue in Berkeley
Room 109

 

Dr. Zvi Bellin earned a PhD in Pastoral Counseling and Counselor Education from Loyola University in Maryland and an M.A. in Counseling and Guidance from New York University. He has worked as a therapist in a number of mental health settings, and has interned as a Psychiatric Chaplain. Zvi’s most recent interests include exploring the raw experience of meaning in life, and the integration of personal spirituality into a practice of holistic well-being. He directs retreats across the country offering Jewish practice with a contemplative twist, and through Nehirim, he serves the GLBT Jewish community. Zvi is the Director of Jewish Education for Moishe House, an international organization that builds dynamic Jewish community for young Jewish adults. This Spring he will be a Visiting Professor at Fordham University, teaching counseling courses in their Graduate School for Religion and Religious Studies.

Contemplative Shabbat Retreat

with Rabbi Jacob Staub and Dr. Zvi Bellin

Pealstone Retreat Center, Baltimore, Maryland

November 4 – 6

***EARLY BIRD PRICE OF $159 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1ST***

Have you ever wondered how you can bring more relaxation, joy, and personal fulfillment into your life? Without having to be a Buddhist or a Yogi! Meditation and awareness practices are for Jews, too, and can support an authentic Jewish practice. Rabbi Jacob and Zvi will be facilitating a full Shabbat experience at Pearlstone Retreat Center near Baltimore, MD. You will learn valuable practices for your well-being and spiritual toolbox that will allow you to decrease stress, enhance body-heart-mind flexibility, and live more authentically.   There will be instruction in Jewish-inspired meditation and Yoga, contemplative prayer services and delicious Kosher Shabbat meals, individual psycho-spiritual counseling and exploration of other research- informed awareness practices. The weekend will be held in gentle silence to allow retreatants to enter into a deep inner space of personal awareness. (If you just thought, “I could never do that,” then this Shabbat is especially for you.)

Is this for me?: This retreat program is geared towards Jewish and Jewish-interested people of all ages. No prior meditation experience needed; no familiarity with traditional Jewish practice. You should come with a curiosity to learn more about yourself through Jewish practice with a contemplative emphasis.

About the Tefilah Services (Prayer): The prayer services at this retreat will follow the elemental flow of traditional services, though the liturgy will not be fully traditional nor completely read. Each service will be crafted to add to the experience of the weekend — a deepening inward for greater personal awareness. Thus, the services will include ample silence, chanting, verbal kavvanot (guided intentions), and contemplation of individual lines and verses. It will be intended that, should individuals choose to do so, they can pray the full liturgy to themselves as they sit in the room with the whole minyan. The Torah service will include three Aliyot, in which whoever would like can come up for a group blessing. If you have specific questions about the services please email: zvilove@gmail.com .

Program Cost: ***EARLY BIRD PRICE OF $159 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1ST*** In order to make the retreat affordable, participants are only required to pay the fee of room and board. This cost is $189 per person. At the completion of the retreat, participants will be asked to donate to the teachers. The cost of the retreat includes two nights lodging in hotel style rooms with private baths (three people per room), five delicious kosher meals, a complete weekend workshop series including meditation, contemplative services, and Yoga instruction, and an individual psycho-spiritual session with Rabbi Jacob Staub or Dr. Zvi Bellin.

Registration Information and Location: REGISTRATION FOR THIS RETREAT IS LIMITED TO 30 PARTICIPANTS. Please email zvilove@gmail.com to receive your registration form. Payment information will be given at this time. The retreat will be held just outside of Baltimore, MD at the Pearlstone Retreat Center (www.pearlstonecenter.org) 5425 Mount Gilead Rd, Reisterstown, MD 21136-4110, (410) 429-4400

LAST YEAR’S SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, Nov 4th

Arrival and Check In (Snacks available) – 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Prepare for Shabbat – 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Candle lighting and the Logistics of Silence – 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv – 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Shabbat Dinner – 7:15 – 8:30 p.m.

Stories, Chanting, and D’var Torah – 8:45 – 10:00 p.m. (Lailah Tov)

SATURDAY, Nov 5th

Early Morning Sit – 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.

Gentle Yoga – 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.

Contemplative Shacharit and Torah Service – 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Shabbat Lunch – 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.

Afternoon Practice – 12:45 – 3:30 p.m. (Sitting and Movement Meditation, Q and A period)

Shabbas Menuhah/Rest (Snacks available) – 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Individual Sessions)

Shabbat Mincha Practice – 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Third Meal/Dinner – 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.

Ma’ariv and Havdalah – 6:30 – 7:00pm

Evening Practice – 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. (Sitting Meditation, Dynamic Breath Meditation)

Night Program – 8:45 p.m. (Yoga practice and Special Topic Talk: “Hen, Hesed, Ve-Rahamim: Cultivating Self Compassion, Receiving Divine Compassion”)

SUNDAY, Nov 6th

Early Morning Sit – 6:00 – 7:00 a.m.

Flow Yoga – 7:00 – 8:15am

Breakfast – 8:15 – 9:00 a.m. (Individual Sessions)

Contemplative Shacharit – 9:00 – 10:30am

Transitioning back to the “Real World” – 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

SAFE TRAVELS AND MANY BLESSINGS!

FACILITATOR BIO:

Rabbi Jacob Staub is Professor of Jewish Philosophy and Spirituality at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where he teaches Jewish Meditation and Jewish Contemplative Practice and where he directs the program in Jewish Spiritual Direction.  He has studied and practiced Jewish Mindfulness with his mentor, Dr. Sylvia Boorstein, and with Rabbis Sheila Weinberg and Jeff Roth.  He is the co-author of Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach and has written extensively on Jewish belief and practice.

Dr. Zvi Bellin holds a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling and is a licensed therapist in Maryland and DC. Zvi directs intimate retreats for the Jewish community that are both spiritually uplifting and intellectually stimulating.  His teaching style follows the tradition of blending Torah study with contemplative Jewish practice. Zvi has studied extensively with teachers spanning various Jewish denominations, including, Rabbi David Zeller, Miriam Ribner, Rabbi Zvi Miller, and Rabbi Jeff Roth.

Please contact zvilove@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

This program is endorsed by The Awakened Heart Project, Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality, and the Moishe House.  We thank them.