The Walls Fall Down:
Living and Loving After Pain and Loss
A 3-Part Virtual Series & Mini-Retreat for Tisha B'Av
With Zac Newman
Sessions on Sundays, July 13, 20 & 27, 2025
At 9:00-10:30 Pacific // 12:00-13:30 Eastern // 17:00-18:30 UK // 19:00-20:30 Israel
A Live Mini-Retreat on Tisha B'Av - Sunday, August 3 , 2025
On Zoom
*Sessions will be recorded for those who cannot make the live sessions
Join us to explore the healing opportunities that lie within the period of Tisha B'Av
In our own ways we are all holding profound grief and uncertainty in these extraordinarily challenging times. There is enormous pain and loss, inside and around. This series of classes and mini-retreat will offer you honest, connecting and compassionate ways of being in the midst of a world on fire.
In the 3 Weeks between the fast days of Shiva Assar B’Tammuz & Tisha B’Av we remember and turn towards our pain and losses, from ancient times through today. This difficult extended process is said to be the beginning of the annual arc of Return (teshuvah) which carries us into Yom Kippur and beyond.
Rabbi Alan Lew explains that teshuvah begins when we allow the breaching of the walls within ourselves; when we are willing to explore softening the inner tension and resistance which leave us hard as stone. We grieve, we regret, we feel the pain we have avoided. The first waves that come may feel like destruction. Something is being lost: the illusions we spun, the separation we strove to maintain. And, if we are able to stay steady in this process, we realise that through the breach, a great treasure has arrived. Down come the walls, and then in comes the light.
How do we practice wisely in times of grief?
How do we find our ground in the wake of loss?
How might our pain become a guide which leads us home?
In this course, through teaching, text study, discussion and a range of specifically developed guided meditations, you will learn concrete skills and practices for:
Accessing steadiness and stability when things fall apart
Supporting emotions to flow and connect rather than freeze or whirr
Holding and honouring the great diversity of the heartscape, from anger, fear, grief and sadness to rapture healing playfulness and love
Finding and resting in a space of boundless freedom, and bringing its blessing back home
Sessions will be 90 minutes each. Recordings will also be sent out weekly to allow for self-paced learning and participation. In addition to the weekly sessions, participants will also have the option to join a WhatsApp group to receive ongoing support in our practice together in between sessions.
We will then gather on Sunday, Aug. 3, the momentous day of Tisha B’Av, for a virtual mini-retreat that weaves together our shared learning and supports us to sanctify the sadness.
Mini-retreat Schedule*:
*This schedule may evolve as the course unfolds
Meet Your Teacher
Zac Newman
Zac has been practicing mindfulness since 2008 and teaching practice since 2013. He is a rabbinical student in the ALEPH Ordination Program, and trained to teach mindfulness through the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University.
Zac's responsibilities at Or HaLev include teaching, supervising our curriculum, mentoring other teachers and directing our English online program.
Prior to his role at Or HaLev, he 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 continually interested in how we can wake up to the wisdom of our tradition and the goodness of our lives.
“I found Zac to be a wonderful teacher and loved how he was able to respond to each person with so much presence and thoughtfulness. The texts that he brought into class really supported the teachings. I enjoyed how each class built upon one another, but could also stand alone.” - Rivka
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 and we strive to make this class 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 will help in supporting Or HaLev's activities and in growing our community.
Supporter
Enables a scholarship for those who cannot afford the course.
Standard
Covers the actual cost
of the course.
Scholarship
A subsidized rate
of the course.
We want to make this series accessible to anyone who wishes to join it. If the scholarship rate is financially unfeasible for you, please write to zacn@orhalev.org, with a brief explanation of why you’d like to join us and your financial needs, and we will do our best to make the series accessible to you.
We Are Here
Any questions? Please email Or HaLev Program Director, Zac Newman, at zacn@orhalev.org
