Urban Meditation Retreat (Israel): A Weekend of Jewish Meditation with Or HaLev and The Pardes Institute

This weekend-long Jewish meditation retreat brings Or HaLev and the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies together in Jerusalem, Israel. It is an urban meditation retreat: a stretch of quiet, guided practice rooted in Jewish teaching, held in the city rather than away from it. It is led by Zac Newman and Naomi Shifrin, and it suits anyone drawn to Jewish meditation, whether or not they have sat a retreat before.

What to Expect

Or HaLev describes retreat as a chance to step out of the busyness of daily life, with its constant technological stimulation, and into an inner space that grows quieter and more still. The aim of meditation here is not to stop thinking. It is to increase awareness and to be less pulled around by thoughts and feelings, the way waves pull at the sea.

Every Or HaLev retreat includes sitting and walking meditation with guided instructions, a mindful eating practice, chanting, and rich Jewish teachings. Teachers are present throughout to guide, support and answer questions.

The sample daily schedule from Or HaLev shows the rhythm of their retreats:

- 5:45 AM wake up, 6:15 AM sit, 6:45 AM chanting
- 7:30 AM prayer practice or a walk, then breakfast at 8:00 AM
- Mid-morning sitting with mindfulness instructions, a walk, and a sit with Q&A
- Lunch at noon, then afternoon sits and walks, including instructions in blessing practice, and yoga at 3:45 PM
- Dinner at 6:00 PM, a teaching at 7:30 PM, a walk and a final sit, and goodnight at 9:15 PM

This is a sample from the organizer's retreats generally, so the timing of a shorter weekend may differ.

Your Teachers

Zac Newman is the Program Director of Or HaLev, the organization that offers Jewish meditation retreats ranging from half a day to a week, online and in person. He co-leads this weekend.

Naomi Shifrin co-leads the retreat alongside him.

The Setting

The retreat takes place at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, in the Jerusalem District of Israel. Pardes is a centre of Jewish learning, which suits a weekend that pairs meditation with study and chant.

Before You Go

Or HaLev's retreats are not only for seasoned meditators. Past participants describe them as accessible to beginners from a wide range of Jewish backgrounds, and also rewarding for people who return year after year. Many Or HaLev retreats are timed to a particular holiday, so that people can step more fully into the wisdom of the Jewish calendar.