Returning to Myself
Seven days of Jewish Mindfulness Practice with Or HaLev
Sunday, March 23 - Saturday (Motzei Shabbat), March 29, 2025
Seven Ramon Hotel, Mitzpe Ramon, Israel
Find your inner anchor, strengthen resilience & reconnect
In this exceptionally difficult time, when we have all lost so much, it can often feel like we have lost ourselves. Unmoored, uncertain and in a time of great instability and fear, we are experiencing high levels of emotional stress, which can make it difficult to function and impact our quality of life.
How do we return to ourselves?
In the upcoming in-depth retreat by Or HaLev, we will discover concrete powerful tools from the worlds of Jewish meditation and mindfulness, which will help us find the way back to ourselves even in the midst of challenge. Together, we will rediscover the resources of presence, clarity, peace, and the natural wisdom inherent in us, and we will learn how to nurture them in our daily lives.
What to expect
Surrounded by the beauty and the silent power of the desert, we will take a seven-day break from the tension and pain and turn our attention inwards to the silence within.
We will practice together, under the leadership of 2 renowned teachers, in a loving supportive community that enables us to do deep transformative work in the midst of pain and uncertainty.
Through our work together, we can heal and deepen our connection with our inner selves, cultivating trust in ourselves and others.
We will delve into meditation practice, utilizing mindfulness tools while connecting to the treasures of the Jewish tradition, embarking on a special spiritual experience in this challenging time - a period that offers an incredible opportunity to return and reconnect to ourselves and to Creation.
Silent meditation with guidance
Reflective practices
Yoga and conscious movement sessions
A deep celebration of Shabbat
Chanting
Group meetings
Daily times for Q&A
The retreat is conducted mostly in silence, with the exception of group sessions.
Meet Our Teachers
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Rabbi Dr. James Jacobson-Maisels
Rav James leads and directs the vision of Or HaLev. Ordained by Rav Daniel Landes, with a doctorate in Jewish Studies from the University of Chicago, he has been studying and teaching meditation and Jewish spirituality for over twenty five years. He was the founding Rosh Yeshiva of Romemu Yeshiva and has taught and innovated programs in Jewish thought, mysticism, spiritual practices and meditation at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Haifa University, Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Yeshivat Hadar and in a variety of settings around the world. In 2023 he embarked on "Yesod" - an in-depth Jewish Mindfulness teacher training program in partnership with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. This program introduces participants to a systematic approach to Jewish mindfulness and produces a new generation of Jewish meditation teachers. He strives to integrate his study with his practice, and to help teach and live Judaism as a spiritual discipline.
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Danny Cohen
Danny is a founding member and senior teacher at Or HaLev. He is also a skilled teacher and facilitator of transformative change processes, Nonviolent Communication, and mindfulness-based experiential psychotherapy. He teaches and learns at various institutions and companies both in Israel and around the world.
Cost
Enjoy a 10% Early Bird Discount on Double and Single Rooms when you book by January 23, 2025!
Shared room of up to 3: 3,580 ILS
Double occupancy: 3,990 ILS / 3,591 ILS with coupon code “10”
Single occupancy: 6,580 ILS / 5,922 ILS with coupon code “10”
To pay in Dollars:
Triple Room Men / Triple Room Women - $979
Double Room Men / Double Room Women - $1091 / $982 with coupon code “10_Jan23”
Single occupancy - $1800 / $1,620 with coupon code “10_Jan23”
The price includes accommodation and full board - a rich vegetarian and kosher menu, at the Seven Ramon hotel: All rooms are spacious (30-32 sqm), designed and include a balcony. The shared rooms include a gallery that allows for a separate sleeping area, ensuring maximum privacy and comfort. Each room includes: air conditioning, a seating area, a coffee machine, tea, a mini-bar, toiletries, a fully equipped bathroom, linens and towels.
The rate does not include terumah to the teachers. See below.
We are offering a special scholarship for anyone who was affected by the October 7th events and who would like to participate in the retreat but cannot afford it. For scholarship applications, please contact us at mindfulness@orhalev.org.
Retreat prices reflect the direct operating costs of running this retreat. They do not include any compensation for our teachers. At the end of the retreat, you will be invited to donate, to make an offering of the heart, to support the teachers.
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A unique integration of meditation and Jewish wisdom
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A team of internationally renowned teachers
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Serene desert settings for your practice
A Few More Things To Note
For more information please read this Preparatory Letter
The retreat will be conducted in Hebrew with an option for English translation.
This retreat is open to all levels of religious observance - from religious to secular - and to all levels of practice.
The retreat venue has a protected space (a secure room).
The food is kosher vegetarian (Rabbanut Dairy).
The retreat venue and all activities are adapted for Shabbat observation.
Should you discover that you are unable to attend, you may cancel for a full refund, less a 3% administrative fee prior to March 16, 2025.
Within one week of retreat start, cancellation with a refund is only possible if we’re able to fill your spot from the waiting list
In the event that the retreat needs to be canceled due to a national security situation, a full refund will be issued.
Participants Say…
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“I want to thank you for taking care of me, and for allowing me, in these challenging times, to return myself to myself”
- Yochi
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“I am grateful for the opportunity to return to my genuine nature, with full love for myself and self-acceptance”
- Yehoshua
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“This retreat was stunning and opening and the weaving in of Judaism was deep and beautiful and genuine”
- Hadar
Sample Schedule
Wake up bells 06:00
Sitting practice, praying in traditional or alternative ways, chanting 06:30
Breakfast 08:00
Sitting with guidance & walking practice 09:15
Lunch 12:30
Sitting practice, Q&A, prayer, walking practice or yoga 14:00
Sitting Practice 17:15
Dinner 18:00
Sitting & walking practice, time for prayer 19:00
Teaching 20:00
Good night or niggun circle 21:30
Please note: The retreat is not a therapeutic space, does not substitute for therapy, and requires individual responsibility for one's own physical and mental health.
Our goal is to make retreat a safe and supportive environment for all who attend. Please click here to find out more.
If you would like to discuss your mental health with us, or have concerns about whether this retreat is appropriate for you, please email us at mindfulness@orhalev.org and we will put you in touch with the lead teacher of the retreat to discuss your concerns.
We Are Here
If you have additional questions regarding any matter related to the organization or a retreat, you are welcome to contact Adam Treistman, Or HaLev’s Israel Community Manager:
