| Pardes Levavot |  |
Pardes Levavot, “Orchard of Hearts,” was formed in the spirit of creating conscious holy community. Our name expresses the spiritual blossoming of each individual heart within an inspiring and nurturing orchard.
For information on our congregation please call (303) 563-2110 and leave a message or send email to info@pardeslevavot.org. To join our congregation, please print a copy of our membership form, fill it out, and send it to our Synagogue.
Pardes Levavot gratefully acknowledges Allied
Jewish Federation of Colorado for their support of
our Circle of Family Education program. Thank you!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Debra Kolodny, Executive Director, ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal DATE: August 31, 2009 Phone: 301-565-0719 Email: DebraRuth@mac.com Web site: www.aleph.org Below is the August 2009 ALEPH News Service. We hope you run the following articles in your newsletters or distribute them to your community lists. We look forward to hearing from you if you do. This release contains: 1. Second Annual ALEPH/Ruach Ha’Aretz Winter retreat: Dedicating Ourselves for Holiness: A Mid-Winter Week's Dream, Delray Beach, Florida, Feb. 15–21, 2010 2. ALEPH joins call for Jews to observe Shabbat Noach, October 23-24, as Global Climate Healing Shabbat 3. ALEPH Affiliate, Havurah Shir Hadash builds Jewish Renewal Intentional Community 4. Former Executive Director of ALEPH, Rabbi Jeff Roth, Leading Two Meditation Retreats at the Am Kolel Sanctuary Retreat and Renewal Center 5. Former ALEPH Executive Director, Rabbi Jeff Roth to lead Six-Day Jewish Meditation Retreat over Thanksgiving in San Rafael 6. Am Kolel Sanctuary & Renewal Center Welcomes Arthur Kurzweil November 13-15, 2009 Kol tov, Deb Kolodny Second Annual ALEPH/Ruach Ha’Aretz Winter retreat: Dedicating Ourselves for Holiness: A Mid-Winter Week's Dream, Delray Beach, Florida, Feb. 15–21, 2010 Give yourself the gift of deep learning, rich community and profound joy! Immerse yourself in one of the following all-day workshop and in the evenings and on Shabbat experience the offerings of all the participants and teachers. Choose from: Angels and Demons in Jewish Prayer and Practice: A Liturgical Exposé Rabbi Daniel Siegel and Rabbi Hanna Tiferet Siegel of the ALEPH Beit Midrash Why do we pray? To remind ourselves that we are not alone! Prayer functions as a healing antidote for the troubling thoughts that disturb our equanimity, those demons of habit, fear, inadequacy, anger, and worry. Morning practice will include study, song, and reflection to access the essence of these prayers as a way to face and dispel the darkness. In the afternoon we will turn to the prayers that call upon the presence of angelic beings. Devotional Healing: Opening to Divine Flow Rabbi Shefa Gold of C-DEEP During this week of prayer and spiritual practice we will work at building a Mishkan: a place for God to dwell in our hearts, bodies, energy fields, relationships, communities and world. “Va’asuli Mikdash v’shochanti b’tocham. Make for me a holy place so that I can dwell among, between and within you.” This commandment send us onto the path of healing that allows us access to the full power of heart and soul, a wide perspective, and a strong calm center. This is Your Life Rabbinic Pastor Shulamit Kate Fagan of the ALEPH Ordinations Program Celebrate your life through stories, chant, gentle art/craft, meditation and writing. You will leave with something some would call an ethical will. It is never too early to begin the process of remembering and saving the stories of your family and of your life, gleaning the wisdom from both! Learn how to share your values, life's lessons, blessings, hopes and dreams for the future, love, and forgiveness with your family, friends, and community. From Age-ing To Sage-ing -- The Blessings of Our Years Rabbi Shaya Isenberg, Bahira Sugarman and Lynne Iser of the ALEPH Sage-ing Program, cameo appearance by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi Are we just living longer, or living better? Like many traditional cultures, Judaism teaches us that a gift that we receive with our elder years is the increased potential for acquiring wisdom. No matter what your chronological age, NOW is the time to feel empowered to transform your life experience into wisdom and consciously live your days with meaning, joy, and connection to your own self and to others. The second half of life offers a gateway of transformation to move from "age-ing" to "sage-ing," rather than backing into old age with fear and avoidance. What a blessing! This workshop may count as Part I of the ALEPH Sage-ing Mentorship Program. It is appropriate for: elders, their families, and professionals working with elders. The Winter Retreat will take place at the Duncan Conference Center (http://www.duncancenter.org/), located on five wooded acres of peace and serenity, 30 minutes from the Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale airports. The center promises delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals. Indoor and outdoor labyrinths grace the grounds. Accommodations are appointed as private hotel rooms with wireless internet connection, and individual a/c controls. Space is limited, so register right away! Private room requests will be honored on a first-apply/first-served basis at additional cost, assuming space permits. All-inclusive, lodging/meals and course fee: $1265 - double room [$1375 - after Nov 1st] $1445 – single room [$1555 - after Nov 1st] $850 – commuter [$905 - after Nov 1st] ALEPH joins call for Jews to observe Shabbat Noach, October 23-24, as Global Climate Healing Shabbat A number of experts on the global climate crisis, led by Bill McKibben, have called for world-wide actions on October 24 to protect our planet from climate disaster. In response, ALEPH has joined with a broad spectrum of Jewish organizations to urge our affiliated communities, rabbis, cantors, rabbinic pastors, lay leaders and members observe Shabbat Noach on October 23-24 -- when Jews around the world read the Torah portion about the Flood, Noah, the Ark, and the Rainbow -- as "Global Climate Healing Shabbat." The international observance of "Global Climate Healing Shabbat Noach" is a prelude to the United Nations conference on the climate crisis scheduled for Copenhagen in December of 2009. We hope the momentum of this Shabbat Shabbat will help the UN conference make the decisions necessary to greatly reduce threats to our climate. Widespread drought, flooding, storms, wildfires, melting polar ice caps mountain snowcaps and glaciers, the forced migration of invasive species and the expansion of diseases into new territories cry out for action. Passage after passage of Torah and secular Jewish writings teach us that as Jews we must act more vigorously to celebrate and heal the web of life. We call on our members, leaders and communities not only to green our households and communal buildings but also to work for major public policy changes away from fossil fuels and toward shifts in energy use, transportation, food production, housing and other dimensions of our society. ALEPH encourages interfaith as well as Jewish work during the week before and on the weekend of Shabbat Noach, with special prayers, sermons, Torah commentary, songs, lectures, debates, panel discussions, resolutions, meals, nature-walks, stories for children, invitations to public officials and environmental activists, and other means of bringing Jewish commitment to bear on healing the earth from the dangers that over-use of fossil fuels is bringing upon us all. Please join us and register your intent to create a local event (even if you are just beginning to plan) in both these places: http://www.350.org/oct24 <http://www.350.org/oct24> http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/602/t/4180/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=50242 ALEPH Affiliate, Havurah Shir Hadash, builds Jewish Renewal Intentional Community A golf course, a pool, a boat slip in the marina? Real estate developers typically depend on amenities like these to entice homebuyers. Now, a development in a southern Oregon is trying something different, offering the adjacent Jewish Renewal synagogue, Havurah Shir Hadash, as its most highly-valued attraction. Aleph Springs, located in Ashland’s Railroad District near downtown, is a new “intentional Jewish-inspired” neighborhood of eight single-family homes and a complex of six condominium units “wrapped around” the synagogue. Home sites are currently available for purchase. Aside from orthodox enclaves, this may be the first neighborhood of its kind where the homes are intended to expand the “campus” of an existing synagogue, according to Rabbi David Zaslow of the Havurah. “We’re thrilled to find ourselves at the center of this unique neighborhood,” says Zaslow, whose focus has been on developing relations between people of all faiths and traditions. “The idea that everyone is welcome, and that everyone will be embraced is consistent with our spiritual mission.” As an “intentional community,” Aleph Springs is a cousin to co-housing, says Laurel Miller, a partner in the development group. “But that’s where the resemblance ends.” In co-housing communities, residents co-create their environment; share a common house as well as responsibilities. In that regard, Aleph Springs is more like a conventional subdivision. In fact, says Miller, Aleph Springs bears a likeness to the traditional country club community, where residents are drawn by common interests, and a clubhouse serves as the social hub. “The difference is that here, our clubhouse is a synagogue.” The Havurah, says Miller, is particularly well-suited to the role, serving the region not only as a house of prayer but as popular venue for secular concerts and other cultural events. Miller sees the likeliest buyers as “retirees and young families who are attracted not only to the proximity of a synagogue, but to the idea of being part of a warm and caring community with a built-in religious, spiritual, social and cultural center.” She says, “It’s a sweet way for people to live, and we’re proud help make it happen at Aleph Springs.” For more information, call Laurel Miller at (541) 973-9363, or check the web site at <http://www.alephsprings.com/> or send an email to alephsprings@gmail.com. Former Executive Director of ALEPH, Rabbi Jeff Roth, Leading Two Meditation Retreats at the Am Kolel Sanctuary Retreat and Renewal Center Opening the Heart: A Jewish Meditation Weekend, October 15th – 18th Join Rabbi Jeff Roth for a three-day meditation retreat and experience practices that thousands have found transformative, enhancing clarity, wisdom, compassion and happiness. Participants will learn a range of meditative techniques including concentration techniques, contemplative prayer chants, mindfulness meditation, the path of blessing, walking and eating meditations and practices that cultivate joy. Experience how a regular Jewish meditation practice can help cultivate awareness in all aspects of daily life. Shabbat will be engaged as a weekly anchor for formal practice that reminds us of the possibility of bringing our awareness to a meeting of the Divine Presence in every moment. The retreat is held in social silence, where attendees will refrain from conversation with other participants at all times. Rabbi Roth will provide instruction for practices as well as relevant didactic material and will answer questions during specified group time. Silence allows for a settling of the mind as well as an in depth look at ones experience of life in each moment. In meeting the present moment, the opportunity to meet the Divine Presence manifests. Fees for the retreat cover room and board and administrative costs only. The teachings are offered freely. Donations will be requested to support the teacher’s work, and to support this model of charging only the actual costs to participants. Financial support is available through the sponsor of the retreat, The Awakened Heart Project. Contact brian@awakenedheart.org with requests for aid or with other questions. Am Kolel Sanctuary and Renewal Center is at 19520 Darnestown Road, Beallsville, MD 20839. All meals are vegetarian. Space limited to 24 people. To register, go to: http://www.awakenedheartproject.org/retreats/jewish-meditation-at-am-kolel-outside-of-washington-dc Room and Board for three nights: $250 (quad occupancy - 9 meals) $300 (double occupancy - 9 meals) $400 (single - 9 meals) $175 (commuter - 6 meals) Rabbi Jeff Roth is the founder and Director of The Awakened Heart Project for Contemplative Judaism. He was the co-founder of Elat Chayyim where he served as Executive Director and Spiritual Director for 13 years. He is an experienced meditation teacher and the facilitator of over 100 Jewish meditation retreats. Three Week Jewish Meditation Retreat Sunday, December 20th, 2009 - Sunday, January 10th, 2010 Am Kolel Retreat Center, Beallsville, Maryland We are very excited to be holding a three week meditation retreat. There are many benefits to an extended period of retreat practice, which makes this opportunity a unique one in the Jewish World. The retreat will be in silence comparable to other Jewish silent retreats. Most mornings, there will be davvening using chanting, and some mornings will be used for solo davvening. There will be instructions given most days. There will be daily lectures, some of which will be prerecorded. All participants will have private interviews with the teaching staff - two or three times per week - with other contacts as needed to support your practice. Our hope is that a significant number of people will want to sit for all 3 weeks. Preference will be given to those interested in sitting the entire period - shorter periods will be considered only if space permits. The retreat will be limited to 25 people. Rabbi Jeff Roth will be the primary facilitator of the whole period. Other teachers may join for shorter periods. The final staffing pattern will depend on the number of participants. There will be a sliding scale of prices. The three weeks at Am Kolel will cost $2100/$1600/$1100 for room and board, based on single/double/quad occupancy. There are limited options for single and double rooms, and requests for those rooms will be on a first come, first served basis. Former ALEPH Executive Director, Rabbi Jeff Roth to lead Six-Day Jewish Meditation Retreat over Thanksgiving in San Rafael Cultivating An Awakened Heart: November 23-29, 2009 Sylvia Boorstein, Norman Fisher and Rabbis Joanna Katz and Jeff Roth At Santa Sabina Center, San Rafael, California Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to explore the nature of life and the precious gift it is to be here. But often times this is not our primary daily experience. It is easy to get caught up in the challenges that accompany our lives. Spending six days in contemplative practice is a uniquely wonderful way to gain balance in our lives and cultivate a grateful heart, which can help us see the truth of our lives more clearly. This practice opens the heart to wisdom and compassion, propelling us to a life of loving-kindness. This six-day meditation retreat will give you the tools and the time to delve inward and cultivate these qualities. Using silence and a variety of Jewish meditation approaches this retreat will help you look deeply into your own life. There will be daily periods of prayer, chant and meditative movement, and instruction will guide both beginning and advanced practitioners into the sacred space of retreat. We will maintain social silence but there will be time for questions and answers, small group and private interviews with the instructors. The week will culminate in a deep celebration of Shabbat followed by the chance to hear each other’s learning as the retreat comes to a close. The costs of the retreat include room and board and an administrative fee to cover other retreat costs. The teachings are offered without teaching fees. Participants will be asked to make a voluntary contribution to support the teachers. Some financial aid is available. Requests for financial aid should be made to Rabbi Roth at jeff@awakenedheartproject.org Sylvia Boorstein has been teaching meditation retreat since 1985. She is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center and a psychotherapist who has led numerous retreats and training programs for rabbis and Jewish educators. Norman Fischer is a Zen priest, teacher, poet and former co-abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center. He is the co-founder of Makor Or, a Jewish meditation center in San Francisco. He leads Jewish meditation sessions around the country, is an author and the founder of the Everyday Zen Foundation. He will be on staff for the first two days of the retreat. Rabbi Joanna Katz is the co-founder of Elat Chayyim. She also works as a prison chaplain. Rabbi Jeff Roth is the founder and Director of The Awakened Heart Project for Contemplative Judaism. He is the author of the newly released, Jewish Meditation Practices for Everyday Life. Rabbis Jeff and Joanna as well as Norman Fisher are on the faculty of the Elat Chayyim Advanced Meditation Program (ECAMP). The retreat is sponsored by The Awakened Heart Project. For more information or to register visit: <http://www.awakenedheartproject.org/> . The cost for room and board is: $775/person for a double, $1000/person for a single. Am Kolel Sanctuary & Renewal Center Welcomes Arthur Kurzweil November 13-15, 2009 Please join us November 13-15, 2009 for A Shabbat of Kabbalah, Talmud and Magic at beautiful Am Kolel Sanctuary & Renewal Center near Washington DC for an intimate weekend of study and celebration with Arthur Kurzweil – noted author, publisher, teacher and magician. The teaching begins on Friday evening, November 13, following Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner, and will include 4 presentations by Arthur Kurzweil including, “Chaye Sarah – Our Lives, Our Spiritual Pilgrimages”, “Twenty Transformative Ideas from Kabbalah, “Discovering the Secrets of the Talmud” and “Searching for God in a Magic Shop” - his last presentation, on Saturday night. The Shabbaton will include music and joyous prayer with Reb David Shneyer and friends. Sunday morning will include Kabbalah in Motion yoga and meditation, a spiritual ritual, and brunch. The fee for the weekend is $180, which includes all program sessions and 4 meals – dinner Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday and brunch on Sunday. Overnight accommodations Friday and Saturday include breakfast and are available for $40 per person per night. Couples from the same household may take a discount of 10%. A Saturday only option is available. This event is open to the public. To register, or for more information: Contact Gilah Rosner at gilah@am-kolel.org <mailto:gilah@am-kolel.org> or 301-349-2799 and check the calendar page of our website, www.sanctuaryretreatcenter.com. |