Returning to Myself
Seven days of Jewish Mindfulness Practice with Or HaLev
Sunday, Feb 22 - Saturday (Motzei Shabbat), Feb 28, 2026
Neot Semadar Eco Village
Prefer Hebrew? Click here
Find your inner anchor, strengthen resilience & reconnect in a unique in-depth journey by Or HaLev
We have been through an exceptionally challenging maelstrom over the last two years - and each and every one of us is left with different experiences and feelings. Perhaps we are left with feelings of fear, tension, uncertainty, and loss, which still surface and overwhelm. Perhaps there are feelings of liberation, relief, and vitality that are awakening and echoing. And perhaps we are oscillating between the two extremes. It is not exactly clear to us: How do we actually return to ourselves? This is precisely the time to stop. To make time for self-reflection, healing, and nourishment. To return to the heart, to the essence, and to our inner soul.
A once-a-year opportunity to join our flagship retreat in Israel: a week of deep practice in the heart of nature and in high-quality accommodations
In this upcoming in-depth retreat, we will practice concrete powerful tools that integrate meditation and Jewish wisdom, which will help us find the way back to ourselves in the midst of this complex reality.
Together, we will rediscover the resources of presence, clarity, peace, and the natural wisdom inherent in each of us. We will learn how to nurture these in our daily lives.
This year, for the first time, the retreat is taking place at Neot Smadar Eco Village in the Arava Desert, which was honored by UN Tourism as one of the Best Tourism Villages for 2025!
A Taste of the Retreat Space
What to expect
Surrounded by primordial nature and the silent power of the desert, we will take a break from the grind of everyday life and relax into the quiet within.
We will practice together, under the leadership of renowned teachers, in a loving supportive community that enables us to do deep transformative work.
Through our shared practice and the supportive conditions of retreat, we can heal, deepen our connection with our inner selves, and cultivate trust in ourselves and others.
Silent meditation with guidance
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 specific, pre-scheduled times for spoken practice in different forms.
Who is this for?
This retreat is open to all, from beginner to advanced meditators, whatever your relationship with Jewish life is like. Together, we’ll create a welcoming and supportive space to connect with others on a shared path of exploration and growth, offering mutual encouragement and support on your spiritual and meditative journey.
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.
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Keren Gal
Psychotherapist, mindfulness teacher, and facilitator of community grief rituals. Graduate of the Mindfulness Teacher Training Program at Bangor University, UK. Yoga teacher, and practitioner of meditation and yoga since 2011. Holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Consulting, facilitates groups, and works as an emotional therapist using a mindfulness-based approach (Hakomi). Explores the connection between human development, ancestral lineage, and the collective — and what supports inner, social, and spiritual resilience and resourcefulness.
Participants share…
“A retreat like this—one of silence from the outer world, inner reflection, with a daily schedule and lots of compassion—is necessary for all of us in these times.” - Daphna
“The opportunity to do meaningful inner work, to clear off the dullness and connect deeply to God in ourselves and around us, in a space where I could be alone with myself, in a supportive and inspiring, growth promoting environment, was priceless.” - Adi
“A genuine opportunity to peel away layers from the heart and open up to a new life.” - A. Har Tzavi
“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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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
Cost
Shared Yurt cabin of up to 4: 3,695 NIS
Double occupancy: 4,495 NIS
Single occupancy: 6,596 NIS
The price includes accommodation and full board - a rich vegetarian and kosher menu - Neot Smadar, a unique ecological oasis in the heart of the Arava, offering beautiful and pampering rooms and well-kept green areas surrounded by the desert nature.
In every room, you will find air conditioning, a seating area, an equipped kitchenette (refrigerator, kitchenware, a coffee station, and more), an en-suite bathroom, toiletries (natural and organic soaps and shampoo), linens, and towels.
The registration rate does not include terumah to the teachers. See below.
We are offering a special scholarship for those who would like to participate in the retreat but cannot afford it. For scholarship applications, please contact us at adam@orhalev.org
If you prefer to pay in Dollars, please contact us.
Registration closes on Feb 8, 2026.
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.
Prior to registration, please read this Preparatory Letter
A Few More Things To Note
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.
The food is kosher vegetarian (Rabbanut Dairy).
The retreat venue and all activities are adapted for Shabbat observance.
Should you discover that you are unable to attend, you may cancel for a full refund, less a 3% administrative fee prior to Feb 8, 2026.
From this date, 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.
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 adam@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 retreat, you are welcome to contact Adam Treistman, Or HaLev’s Israel Community Manager:
