At Home Out There:
Sukkot Practices for Centering, Opening and Joy
A Virtual Meditation Journey with Zac Newman and Michal Fox
September 25 - October 3, 2026
Seven 30-minute meditations in your inbox throughout Sukkot
& a 75-minute Live Session on Thursday, Oct 1, 2026
At 9:30am PT/ 12:30pm ET/ 5:30pm UK / 7:30pm Israel
*This session will also be recorded if you're unable to make it live
On Sukkot, we are instructed for seven days “leshev b’Sukkah", to dwell in a Sukkah. “Ba-sukkot teshvu shivat yamim” - “You shall live in Sukkot for seven days” (Leviticus 23:42). As the culmination of our spiritual journey through the High Holidays, Sukkot brings us home. The temporary dwelling of the Sukkah is a different home than usual. It is also an ancient one, drawing us back to what is true right now and what is eternal, and a place of belonging which we often forget but always retain.
The word “leshev” from “leshev b’Sukkah” denotes not just dwelling but also sitting. Sitting together in meditation practice supports us to be more present. It allows disparate parts of ourselves to harmonize and gather. We dwell more fully in this place and in this moment.
During these precious days of Sukkot, we will explore together how the great richness of Sukkot practices can teach us, amidst all our vulnerability and real challenges, to find shelter, peace, and joy, through connection to the Earth and the Divine.
This week-long journey will include daily meditations, intention, reflection and practice instructions. For each of the days of Sukkot you will receive a 30-minute guided meditation video from Michal or Zac, exploring and practicing with the daily theme and resource below.
On October 1, as we approach the end of the holiday and Simchat Torah, you will be invited to a 75 minute live session with the teachers, with meditation, teachings, and a time for Q&A.
This course is an invitation to:
Explore the richness of Sukkot as an embodied experience from the Jewish tradition
Connect with profound and timeless resources of heart and mind through various practices
Play at your growing edges by reconnecting to the meaning of ancient rituals
Meet sacredness and divinity right where you are
Share a Jewish meditative journey with others around the world
Who is this for?
This journey is open to all, from beginner to advanced meditators and whatever your relationship with Jewish life is like. It provides a welcoming and supportive space to connect with others on a shared path of exploration and growth, and will offer mutual encouragement and support on your meditative journey in a Jewish spiritual framework.
Our journey will include a meditation for each day of Sukkot:
Day 1: Centering
Day 2: Allowing
Day 3: Landing
Day 4: Expanding
Day 5: Sitting in change
Day 6: Live session
Day 7: Resting in a deeper refuge
Day 8: Joy in divine embrace
Meet Your Teachers
-
Rabbah Dr. Mira Neshama Niculescu
Mira teaches Jewish texts and spiritual practices as a way of life. She is a Doctor in the Socio-Anthropology of Religion, an ordained Rabbah from the modern Orthodox yeshiva Harel in Jerusalem and a certified teacher of mindfulness meditation and yoga. For over 10 years, she has been sharing her exploration of Torah, Hasidut, Mussar, and Jewish meditation in English, Hebrew and French.
Born in Paris and living in Jerusalem, she writes and teaches globally online and in person, inviting students to dive deep into their own inner work (tikkun atsmi) as a way to contribute, one person at a time, to the tikkun (repair) of the world. -
Zac Newman
Zac is Or HaLev’s Program Director. He has been practicing mindfulness since 2008 and teaching practice since 2013. He trained to teach mindfulness through the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University. Prior to his role at Or HaLev, Zac was the Community Director of HaMakom, the UK-based Jewish meditation organisation. Zac is a long-standing student of religious studies and psychotherapy. He is a rabbinical student in the ALEPH Ordination Program, and he is continually interested in how we can realize the wisdom of our tradition and the goodness of our lives.
Choose your Rate
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.
Supporter
Standard
Scholarship
We Are Here
Any questions? Please email Or HaLev Program Director, Zac Newman, at zacn@orhalev.org
