Zvi Bellin, Ph.D. – Integrating Contemplative Practice with Spiritual Wisdom
Netivot Shalom Community Retreat Director
Berkeley, CA
∞ Uplifting co-created rituals that facilitate exploration of personal spirituality and intimacy between community members.
∞ Yoga, meditation, and cultivation of awareness to enhance well-being of body, heart, mind, and spirit.
Participant Testimonials
“I am still so high from everything that happened [at the retreat], and I am incredibly grateful for such a healing weekend. I needed this past weekend so badly, and it was everything and more that I could have hoped it would be. I have not been myself for months, and finally, this weekend, and now, I am feeling like ME again!” – Alyssa, Retreat Participant
“Zvi is a wonderful yoga instructor with a Jewish soul, a down-to-earth demeanor, and a delightfully eclectic taste in music! It’s a treat to practice yoga in his poetic, accepting, multi-generational classes, with the full richness of his iPod accompanying our movements.” — Joelle, Yoga Series Participant
“It always feels so warm and open. I especially enjoyed the movement workshop. You have this way of encouraging people to connect with parts of ourselves we all think about but not many of us actually pay attention to them. I mean how often have I wanted to leap around a room with wild abandon and how often do I actually let myself do that? I am so grateful for the space that you created to allow me to do that. As far as the gathering goes, everything was wonderful.” — Randy, Returning Participant
“The Contemplative Shabbat Retreat for Young Jewish Professionals brought me a great deal of inner peace through mindful meditative workshops. The opportunity brought together an intimate group of like-minded Jews who carved out time for personal work. As we sat in social silence for the weekend, we were taught life skills for stress-reduction, concentration, and strengthening the presence of our highest selves under the lens of Judaic tradition.” – S.K., Shabbaton Participant
“I just wanted to thank you very much for your wonderful workshop. I really enjoyed your integration of self-awareness exercises and meditation with the physical components of Yoga. It definitely made it very clear how connected the mind and body are, and how Yoga is the best medium for aligning the two in the healthiest possible way. Thanks!” — Uri, Workshop Participant
“Thank you for the wonderful retreat, Zvi. It was very powerful and beautiful and I am in a great space. Please keep me updated on future events. I loved the chanting /singing, the movement, the breathwork, the meditating, the intentional speaking, your facilitation method, the silent meals and all the instruction you gave.” — M.G., Contemplative Retreat Participant
“I feel really fortunate and blessed to be part of this group. I am so impressed with your approach to teaching and sharing your knowledge.” — J.B., Tele-Midrash Participant
Professional Endorsements
“Dr. Zvi Bellin teaches an inspiring Torah that is a unique blend of traditional text study, contemplative practice, and humanistic psychology. He is a caring, engaging, down-to-earth teacher who brings light and life to Jewish hearts and souls.” – Rabbi Jacob Staub, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
“Zvi Bellin is a multitalented and capable facilitator, counselor, and teacher. Over the years that I have worked with Zvi I have watched him mature as a heartful voice of listening and compassion; he has helped dozens of people I know come to terms with difficult family issues, faith issues, and questions regarding sexuality. As a ritual leader and “space holder” Zvi is able to create both traditional religious services and highly nontraditional spiritual opportunities for people to open their hearts. He is at home leading a rousing chorus of Hebrew songs and conducting an intimate heart circle with a wide range of participants. Finally, Zvi is a joy to work with. As he has grown professionally, he is increasingly able to take on more and more responsibility and continues to do so with a lightness of spirit that makes working with him a pleasure.” – Jay Michaelson, Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality
Contact Information: To create a tailored experience for your community please email Zvi at zvilove@gmail.com, or phone, 917-533-4559.
