Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and the Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality
Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality

Jewish Shamanic Healing

Explore ancient texts as well as oral traditions from which this long-neglected body of wisdom originates.

Ancient Jewish mystery wisdom considers illness a major opportunity for personal life shifting and unfolding. Healing is not about fixing but about directing the flow of the ailment toward the restoration of balance in the dynamics between soul and body. Rituals include prayers and incantations that call upon forces active in the spirit realms, various plants, incense smoke, the ram's horn, planetary influences, and stones. Some ceremonies also involve drawing a circle on the earth with specific mystical symbols, and many such rites require chanting and drumming. Often, the purpose of these rites is to clear the body's own channels of impediments and resistance to enable the smooth flow of the life force within each of us.

During this rare opportunity to explore the lesser-promulgated body of Jewish tradition, Rabbi Gershon will familiarize participants with ancient and medieval Aramaic and Hebraic source texts as well as oral traditions from which this long-neglected body of wisdom originates. Miriam will guide you through practicums of ceremony, guided imagery, chant, and movement toward experiencing these teachings and drawing them deeper within yourself, beyond the intellect, and into actual practice.

Program Outline

Healing in the Jewish Tradition

Healing and Spiritual Practice

The Encounter

The Initiation

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Registration Information

Single Room

w/ private bath & queen-sized bed

1,600

w/ private bath

1,450

w/ shared bath & queen-sized bed

1,450

w/ shared bath

925

w/ hall bath

750
Double Room

w/ private bath & queen-sized bed

1,025

w/ private bath

925

w/ shared bath & queen-sized bed

875

w/ shared bath

725

w/ hall bath

700
Triple Room

w/ private bath

725

w/ hall bath

650
Tent/Commuter
  550
Children (Ages 3-14)

per night

35

Training Institute Tuition

The tuition for this institute is $1,400 ($900 deposit) and does not include the cost of Room and Board (see table on the right). Listed room and board fees are per week.

Room and board includes housing, meals, Shabbat services, evening activities, hot tub, yoga, meditation, and full use of our facility. All rooms are air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter.

Financial assistance for graduate students in rabbinic, cantorial, or Jewish education are eligible for aid through a generous grant provided by The Lasko Family Foundation of Philadelphia. Click here to apply.

Limited financial aid is also available through the Elat Chayyim scholarship fund.

Arrival and Departure

Please arrive between 2pm and 5pm on the day your retreat begins. Retreats end with brunch at 11:30am on the last day of the retreat.

Room and Board Cancellation Policy

The Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality reserves the right to cancel any program at any time. In this event, you will be given a complete refund.

For transportation: A full refund of transportation fees is available if you cancel at least three days (72 hours) in advance. No refund is available if less than three days notice is given. For more information on getting here, please visit our Travel & Transportation page.

Tuition Cancellation Policy

In case of cancellation of the entire Institute, Elat Chayyim retains a $200 enrollment deposit, plus tuition for any weeks attended or partially attended. Any tuition paid in excess of these amounts is refunded.

Register now!

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