Opening the Heart:
A Silent Jewish Meditation Retreat
January 10-17, 2027 // Brandeis-Bardin, CA
Give Yourself the Gift of Retreat:
The world can be overwhelming. But we don’t have to be overwhelmed. Even in times of turmoil, it is possible to find the heartfelt balance within ourselves that enables a deeper, lighter and more loving engagement with the world.
We long for community, for the solace and strength that come from being together beyond words. Taking a break from everyday life has never been more necessary.
Opening the Heart is a sanctuary not just of silence, but also of connection - to ourselves, our tradition, and each other. Here you will find peace in stillness, strength in our shared heritage and healing from fear and suffering.
A time for healing.
Hear from participants of Or HaLev's Opening the Heart Retreat, as they share their transformative experiences from their 7 days in silence.
Why Silence?
Silence can be a profound healer. In the quiet, we are given the chance to process our emotions in a container of compassion, without pressure to articulate or explain. Through silence, other forms of knowing and experiencing emerge that enable us to see ourselves with clarity and care. Or HaLev emphasizes the transformative nature of mindful silence, providing a peaceful loving and supported setting to be with your thoughts and feelings.
Shared Experiences, Shared Strength
The retreat is an opportunity to be in a community of peers: each on their own journey, all of us together. There is enduring comfort in the shared experience of silence interspersed with Hebrew chants, small group meetings, teachings and Q&A sessions, creating a powerful and deeply easeful environment.
Join the Community
Join us at Opening the Heart 2027 to embrace the healing power of Jewish mindfulness. Secure your place in this nurturing space where you can rest, meditate, and grow, supported by expert teachers and a compassionate community.
Is This Retreat Right for You?
This retreat is a diverse container open to anyone. We welcome all different Jewish backgrounds and meditation experience levels.
Participants Say…
“The retreat experience is an incredible gift of self-care and an opportunity to gain life wisdom from the teachers and fellow participants.”
- Beth
“The retreat really did help me move my practice and commitment to the `next` level.”
- Ami
“Amazing opportunity to plumb the depths of your soul. Unlike any other spiritual journey or experience.”
- Adam
“Unique and deeply impactful opportunity to improve life.”
- Dave
“The retreat has a diverse demographic and is open accessible to all. Or HaLev retreats simply make you happier, more grateful, more spiritually attuned, less anxious.”
- Efrat
“It’s a chance to drop in and attune to one’s inner life in a supported and powerful way.”
- Deb
This retreat will be led by renowned teachers, including:
-
Rabbi Dr. James Jacobson-Maisels
Rav James leads and directs the vision of Or HaLev. Ordained by Rav Daniel Landes, with a doctorate in Jewish Studies from the University of Chicago, he has been studying and teaching meditation and Jewish spirituality for over twenty five years. He was the founding Rosh Yeshiva of Romemu Yeshiva and has taught and innovated programs in Jewish thought, mysticism, spiritual practices and meditation at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Haifa University, Yeshivat Hadar and in a variety of settings around the world. He strives to integrate his study with his practice, and to help teach and live Judaism as a spiritual discipline.
-
Rabbi Dev Noily
Dev Noily serves as Senior Rabbi at Kehilla Community Synagogue in Oakland, California, Lisjan Ohlone territory of Huchiun, where they have led a weekly (now twice weekly) meditation sit since 2013. Dev trained in the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program (2016-17) with teachers Sheila Weinberg, Jordan Bendat Appel and Jeff Roth. They have practiced at Spirit Rock in northern California/Coast Miwok territory, Plum Village, and Blue Cliff Monastery in NY, and have taught at the East Bay Meditation Center.
-
Jes Golden
Jes Golden, Ph.D. (they/she) is a Jewish meditation teacher, writer, and researcher focusing on embodied experience in Jewish and Buddhist meditation. A graduate of Or HaLev’s three-year Jewish Meditation Teacher Training program, Jes teaches regularly for the organization, including programs such as the Ground & Center Series and Hadran. Jes is also an Adjunct Faculty member at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), an IJS Marbeh Fellow, and a Postdoctoral Affiliate at the Meditation Research Program at Harvard Medical School / Mass General Hospital. They hold a Ph.D. in Philosophy from UC Berkeley.
-
Danielle Berrin
Danielle Berrin is a writer, journalist, and communications professional whose career has spanned newsrooms, campaigns and client service. Alongside this work, she has been a lifelong student of Judaism and an enthusiastic participant in Jewish life. Drawn to spaces centering deep, joyful, pluralistic Judaism, she attended her first Or HaLev retreat in 2016 to cover it as a journalist and left transformed. A student of contemplative practice ever since, Danielle completed Or HaLev’s three-year Jewish Meditation Teacher Training program and teaches in various settings around Los Angeles. Danielle sees contemplative practice as a way of living more deeply into each moment, bringing a sense of curiosity and wonder to the ever unfolding story of our lives.
Pricing
At Or HaLev, we believe in the spirit of generosity as an essential part of practice. We also acknowledge that financial abilities differ for everyone. We strive to make this retreat accessible to those who wish to participate, regardless of ability to pay.
Please consider paying at the highest rate that you are able to. Your generosity enables this retreat to happen and helps support Or HaLev's activities and grow our community.
The prices do not include terumah to the teachers. Please see below.
Attendance is limited to ensure a personal and intimate experience for all participants.
Registration closes Dec 10th, 2026
If the scholarship rate is financially unfeasible for you, please write to retreat@orhalev.org, with a brief explanation of why you’d like to join us on retreat and your financial needs, and we will do our best to make the retreat accessible to you. Financial aid is limited.
Terumah & Teacher Support
Retreat prices reflect the direct operating costs of running this retreat. None of your payment goes to support the teachers. Rather, at the end of the retreat, you will be invited to donate, to make an offering of the heart, terumah, to support the teachers and this practice.
Come open your heart with us.
From the documentary "Seven Days in Silence" by Jonathan Perlman.
Sample Schedule
Wake up bells 05:30
Sitting practice, praying in traditional or alternative ways, chanting 06:00
Breakfast 08:00
Sitting with guidance & walking practice 09:15
Lunch 12:30
Sitting practice, Q&A, prayer, walking practice or yoga 14:00
Sitting Practice 17:15
Dinner 18:00
Sitting & walking practice, time for prayer 19:00
Teaching 20:00
Good night or niggun circle 21:30
A Few More Things To Note
All food is kosher and Shabbat will be observed in public spaces.
Our retreat is taking place at Brandeis Bardin Campus, California.
Each participant is responsible for their transportation to and from the retreat center.
Cancellation policy: Full refunds are available until Dec 10, 2026. After that, no refunds are possible because we need to pay the venue.
Questions?
Please contact us at retreat@orhalev.org, or fill out the form below.
