Opening the Gates of the Heart
A Silent Jewish Meditation Retreat
on the sacred gate of Yom Kippur
Sep 18-21, 2026 // Alonei HaBashan, Israel
The retreat will be conducted in English and Hebrew, with translation provided for both languages
Prefer Hebrew? Click Here
This Yom Kippur, we invite you to press the restart button and open the gates of your heart.
A rare opportunity to step away from the daily hustle & enter the new year with a heart that is open, at ease, connected and more alive than ever.
Yom Kippur is one of the most significant gates of the Hebrew calendar.
On this day, Jews across the world gather to fast and pray and sing, in order to cleanse our innermost being and begin a new cycle of life.
As we pray for our souls to be inscribed in the book of life, we close the doors of our own bodies. On Yom Kippur no physical nourishment gets in: we don’t eat, we don’t drink, we don’t bathe, we don’t anoint.
For some, the doors with the outside world close in another direction too, through the practice of not speaking on Yom Kippur.
What if, just like in meditation, closing these external gates is not a sacrifice, but an opportunity to open wide the gates of the heart?
Join us for a special journey of silence, meditation, prayer, chanting, and deep presence, in a serene pastoral setting overlooking the Golan Heights. Over four days, we will practice mindfulness techniques, connect with the profound wisdom of Jewish tradition, touching the very heart of the Yom Kippur experience and its potential for transformation and renewal.
What to expect?
The retreat is conducted mostly in silence and will include:
Silent meditation with instruction
A rich variety of guided practices
Daily yoga sessions, combining gentle movement, deep breathing, and soft stretching exercises
A musical Kabbalat Shabbat with singing and acoustic instruments
Chanting
Time for solitude, walking, and mindful presence in nature
Small group sessions
One-on-one meetings as needed
Inspirational talks and deep-dive teachings
Q&A (Questions & Answers) sessions
During the retreat, we will experience a range of opportunities for deepening and connecting to the space of prayer, both through traditional Yom Kippur prayers and through alternative spiritual prayer spaces.
This year we will arrive at Yom Kippur after already practicing together for 2 days, including over Shabbat. We will have time to settle and soften, gently to release and open to the beauty of our surroundings, before we enter Yom Kippur itself.
The tools and experiences in the retreat will support our hearts & minds, bodies & souls in journeying together through the themes and possibilities that Yom Kippur presents.
Who is this for?
This retreat is open to all, from beginner to advanced meditators, whatever your relationship with Jewish life is like. Together, we’ll create a welcoming and supportive space to connect with others on a shared path of exploration and growth, offering mutual encouragement and support on your spiritual and meditative journey.
Participants Share…
“If someone wants a Jewish opportunity to find the hard reset button on life, take a deep pause, and re-emerge with completely new eyes - this is it.”
- Danit
“The opportunity to do meaningful inner work, to clear off the dullness and connect deeply to God in ourselves and around us, in a space where I could be alone with myself, in a supportive and inspiring, growth promoting environment, was priceless.”
- Adi
“I discovered on retreat that by simply paying attention to my body and the world within me, I can cultivate this great sense of inner joy and peace.”
- Aaron
Meet our Team
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Zac Newman
Zac is Or HaLev Program Director & Teacher. 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.
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Avigail Beeri- Harel
Avigail is a graduate of Or HaLev’s ‘Keter’ Jewish Meditation Teacher Training Program. She is a PhD candidate writing her dissertation on contemplative practices and the mind-body relationship in medieval Kabbalah, and is a rabbinical ordinand. She teaches Kabbalah, Hasidism, and Niggun at Hadar and other institutions, focusing on the intersection of Jewish thought and meditative interiority.
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Adam Treistman
Adam is Or HaLev’s Israel Community Manager. A veteran workshop facilitator, he has been teaching meditation and Jewish spirituality for over 15 years. He facilitates transformational and personal growth retreats in Israel and abroad.
Cost
Shared room of up to 4: 1,690 ILS
To pay in Dollars: $574
Double occupancy: 2,450 ILS
To pay in Dollars: $833
Single occupancy: 2,990 ILS
To pay in Dollars: $1016
The price includes full-board accommodation* – a rich, vegetarian, and kosher menu, at Alonei HaBashan: all rooms feature private bathrooms and showers, a kitchenette with a coffee corner, and a refrigerator.
*Food will not be served on Yom Kippur
The price does not include terumah to the teachers. See below.
Retreat prices reflect the direct operating costs of running this retreat. They do not include any compensation for our teachers. At the end of the retreat, you will be invited to donate, to make an offering of the heart, to support the teachers.
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An open, enabling, and supportive practice space
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A unique connection between meditation and Judaism
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A green and pastoral environment
Before registration please read this Preparatory Letter.
A Few More Things To Note
The retreat will be conducted in English and Hebrew, with translation provided for both languages.
This retreat is open to all levels of religious observance - from religious to secular - and to all levels of practice.
To allow for a space of true inner silence and a deep connection to the retreat experience, the retreat will be held in silence and with phones turned off. An emergency phone will be available if needed - please see the preparation letter for details
The retreat venue has a protected space (miklat).
The food is kosher Mehadrin vegetarian.
The retreat venue and all activities are adapted for Shabbat and Chag observers.
Should you discover that you are unable to attend, you may cancel for a full refund, less a 3% administrative fee prior to Sep 8, 2026. From this date, cancellation with a refund is only possible if we’re able to fill your spot from the waiting list.
In the event that the retreat needs to be canceled due to a national security situation, a full refund will be issued.
Sample Schedule for Yom Kippur
Wake up 6:00
Sit together 6:30
Chanting 7:15
Tefilah (traditional or alternative) 8:00
Sit together 12:00
Tefilah (traditional or alternative) 13:00
Teaching 15:00
Group meetings 16:00
Sit 17:00
Neilah 18:00
Yom Kippur ends & meal 19:00
Optional sit 20:30
Please note: The retreat is not a therapeutic space, does not substitute for therapy, and requires individual responsibility for one's own physical and mental health.
Our goal is to make retreat a safe and supportive environment for all who attend. Please click here to find out more.
If you would like to discuss your mental health with us, or have concerns about whether this retreat is appropriate for you, please email us at adam@orhalev.org and we will put you in touch with the lead teacher of the retreat to discuss your concern.
We Are Here
If you have additional questions regarding any matter related to the organization or a retreat, you are welcome to contact Adam Treistman, Or HaLev’s Israel Community Manager:
