Classes & Practice Groups
Classes, gatherings and meditation groups that explore Jewish texts, meditation and other spiritual practices, deepening our exploration of mindfulness and other spiritual practices in the Jewish tradition.
Photo from My Seven Days In Silence, a film by Jonathan Perlman.
About our classes.
Our classes and practice groups are rooted in Jewish tradition, with branches that stretch upwards towards the expansive sky. Or HaLev believes in an open and pluralistic Judaism that brings spiritual depth and authenticity.
Classes are a way to connect and engage with the Jewish roots of mindfulness and other spiritual practices. The Jewish tradition is rich with sources on different aspects of practice, and it is deeply rewarding to study and embody them. Like unearthing precious gems, the process of uncovering the understanding of spiritual life and practice in Jewish texts is an integral part of Or HaLev’s mission.
Similarly, each Jewish holiday and month carry with them a particular energy and the possibility to harness that energy for our growth and spiritual development. Or HaLev’s teachings open the portal of the Jewish calendar and reveal its ever-unfolding truths.
Our practice groups are a path to spiritual community. Once we establish a regular meditation practice, it is incredibly helpful to have a community of like-minded and like-hearted individuals with whom we can strengthen that practice. Just like sitting in a meditation hall and feeling the commitment and strength of those around us, joining a regular meditation group can enhance and reinvigorate our personal practice.
Becoming Whole: The Practice of Sefirat HaOmer
7-week Online Omer Series With Rabbi Ami Silver
In partnership with Pardes North America
Starting Thursday, April 25, 2024
At 10:30am - 11:45am PST / 1:30pm - 2:45pm EST / 6:30pm - 7:45pm UK / 8:30pm - 9:45pm Israel // on Zoom
Space to Be
3-Part Online Series With Danny Cohen
In partnership with Pardes North America
In this new series we’ll meet once a month to learn and practice trauma-informed practices that can help us find steadiness and greater spaciousness within collectively challenging times.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
At 9-11am PT / 12-2pm EST / 5:00-7:00pm UK / 7:00-9:00pm Israel
Thursday, April 25, 2024
At 8-10am PT / 11-1pm EST / 4:00-6:00pm UK / 6:00-8:00pm Israel
Thursday, May 16, 2024
At 9-11am PT / 12-2pm EST / 5:00-7:00pm UK / 7:00-9:00pm Israel
On Zoom
Registration is still open!
When the Ground Disappears: Facing Uncertainty, Pain, & Grief
A virtual course & retreat for Tisha B’av, focused on practicing with uncertainty, anger, fear, and grief
With Shira Abramowitz
Course Sessions:
Tuesdays, July 23rd, July 30th, and August 6th
Virtual Retreat:
Tuesday August 13, Tisha B’Av
On Zoom
Registration will open soon!
Opening Towards Freedom: Concrete practices, teachings and Seder activities to find liberation in the midst of this difficult time
3-Part Online Series With Rav James, Rabbi Geneveive Greinetz & Carrie Watkins
In partnership with Pardes North America
In this pre-Pesach series we’ll will embark on a journey of preparation for the Seder
3 Sessions.
Monday, April 1, April 8, 2024
At 5:00-6:15pm PT / 8:00-9:15pm ET
Sunday, April 14, 2024
At 10:30-11:45am PT / 1:30-2:45pm ET / 6:30-7:45pm UK / 8:30-9:45pm Israel // on Zoom
Registration for this series has ended.
Kelim Le'Orot: Vessels for the Light: Spiritual Preparation for the Holidays (Israel)
A Collaboration between Or HaLev and the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center
March 21 // Purim with Rabbah Mira Nesahma
April 10 // Pesach with Rabbi Daniel Silverstein
May 23 // Lag Ba’Omer with Avigail Be'eri-Harel
June 9 // Shavuot with Rabbi Ami Silver
At 7:30pm-9:00pm
David/Geller/Epstein Beit Midrash, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center
Jerusalem, Israel
Ground & Center: Weekday Community Meditation
Held by Or HaLev Teachers
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
At 10:15-10:45am PT / 1:15-1:45pm ET / 17:15-17:45 UK / 20:15-20:45 Israel // on Zoom
*By signing up for this, you’re also registering for Rav James’ Wednesday Open Meditation
“I had an ill-informed view of pluralistic Judaism and was surprised by the resonance of a very Jewish experience in a different context than I was used to. Through sitting with Or HaLev, I’ve discovered unexplored connections between habits of mind and body that other forms of insight, like therapy, have not been able to provide.”
- Sarah H
Open Meditation Group
With Rabbi Dr. James Jacobson-Maisels
In partnership with Pardes North America
Wednesdays at 10:15am Pacific/1:15pm Eastern/6:15pm UK/ 8:15pm Israel // on Zoom
Mindfulness has deep roots in Jewish teachings. One such source is the Hasidic master, Rabbi Kalonymous Kalman Shapira. Our weekly class will open the doorway to a world where mindfulness and Judaism are entwined.
This meditation group includes a sit with guidance, a chant, a brief teaching and time for questions and answers at the end. It’s a beautiful way to jumpstart or strengthen your practice.
This is a donation-based offering.
“Chanting is not the same as singing songs. It is the prayerful repetition of one line that enables entry into the words; to sing and be sung. Through chanting, I can soar to the highest heights and harmonize with the Divine in me, in those I’m chanting with, and in the words, which at another time may have been uttered hurriedly and without feeling.”
- Ariel H
Virtual Women’s Rosh Chodesh Meditation & Chanting Circle
With Rabbah Dr. Mira Neshama Weil & Ariel Dominique Hendelman
In partnership with Pardes North America
Starting in Elul & happening monthly afterwards
at 11 am-12:15 pm Pacific / 2-3:15 pm Eastern / 7-8:15 pm UK/ 9-10:15 pm Israel // on Zoom
Every new Hebrew month is a deep wellspring, with its own energy and wisdom. As Rosh Chodesh is traditionally a women’s holiday, our women’s circle invites you to take part in Jewish sacred time together. It includes chanting led by Ariel, a 30 minute meditation, and a teaching from Mira. This is a donation-based offering.
Introducing Yesod: Foundations for Deepening Jewish Mindfulness Meditation
by Or HaLev & The Institute for Jewish Spirituality
A brand-new opportunity to learn with two of the world’s leading Jewish mindfulness organizations!
With Rabbis James Jacobson-Maisels, Sam Feinsmith, and Dorothy Richman
A Ten-Month Online Program
January - October 2023
Our Gates of Awareness program has begun, and registration has closed. We plan to offer this program in a three year cycle, with the next cohort beginning in 2026. You're welcome to read more about the program here