2022 Winter Hevraya Retreat
Sunday, January 16 – Thursday, January 20, 2022
American Jewish University
Brandeis-Bardin Campus
Simi Valley, CA
PLEASE NOTE: All rooms are currently sold out, please email Barbara Shuman to be added to the waitlist.
Members of the IJS Hevraya (alumni of the IJS clergy and educator leadership training cohorts) are invited to join us for our annual in-person Winter Hevraya retreat at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University, in Simi Valley, CA, outside Los Angeles. The retreat will run from Sunday, January 16 – Thursday, January 20.
In this retreat, we will immerse in continuous, contemplative practice, through mindfulness meditation led by Rabbi Jonathan Slater, yoga led by Rabbi Myriam Klotz, text study and directed writing led by Melila Hellner-Eshed, chevruta, and group practice — all within a safe and supportive container intended to help us cultivate inner stillness and clarity. Participants will have an opportunity for one-on-one meetings with the IJS faculty after lunch and during dinner.
As always, our retreat will be partly silent, with morning davvening led by Hevraya members, meditation and yoga (or optional mindful walk and hitbodedut practice) all held in contemplative silence. After lunch we will open to speech with one-on-one meetings with faculty, and text study in the afternoons. Breakfast and lunch will be silent meals; dinner will be a speaking meal, with an optional silent eating table. Evening programs will end at 9:00 PM PT with a contemplative ma’ariv, and return to silence. On Wednesday morning, weather permitting, we will rise to “greet the dawn” in the fashion of the Hevraya of the Zohar, taking a short pre-dawn hike and davvening al fresco.
Your safety is our priority. We are closely monitoring Covid-19 and consulting with our medical advisory group. We will keep you updated on any adjustments that need to be made.
VACCINE POLICY
IJS is focused on the health and safety of our community. Guided by public health and medical professionals on our COVID Advisory Committee, as of September 2021, IJS requires all participants in IJS retreats to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All attendees to 2022 Winter Hevraya Retreat must submit proof of vaccination as part of registration.
Retreat Timing and Pricing
The retreat will officially start at 4:30 PM PT on Sunday, January 16 with check-in at 3:00 PM PT. The retreat will end at 12:00 PM PT on Thursday, January 20.
Retreat Tuition:
$850
Additional donation to cover IJS’s COVID-related costs:
$100 (or other)
Room and Board (Limited Availability):
Single Room: $725 (due to COVID-19 concerns, no double rooms will be offered)
