Opening the Gates of the Heart
A Silent Jewish Meditation Retreat
on the sacred gate of Yom Kippur
Oct 1-4, 2025 // Alonei HaBashan, Israel
The retreat will be conducted in English and Hebrew, with translation provided for both languages
Prefer Hebrew? Click Here
This upcoming Yom Kippur, we invite you to press on the restart button & enter the new year with an open heart, feeling at ease, connected and more alive than ever
On Yom Kippur, Jews across the world gather to fast and pray and sing, in order to cleanse their innermost being and start anew for a cycle of life.
As we pray for our souls to be inscribed in the book of life, before the doors of the sky close, 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 the other direction too, through the practice of not speaking on Yom Kippur.
What if, much like when we sit still in meditation practice, the spiritual practice of Yom Kippur was an invitation temporarily to close the outside doors of our being as a way of opening the doors of the heart?
Join us for a transformative retreat for Yom Kippur, welcoming the day of our rebirth in silence and chant, meditation and prayer, and deep presence, both within ourselves and next to each other.
Experience the heart of Yom Kippur on this 4-day in-depth retreat
In a magical rural atmosphere, we will practice mindfulness techniques, connect with the wisdom of Jewish tradition, and together journey through one of the most significant gates of the Hebrew calendar - a gate offering a profound opportunity for transformation and renewal on the conscious, psychological, spiritual, and collective levels.
Another gift of this retreat is that after the day of Yom Kippur itself we will have two more days of practice together. This makes it possible for us to continue in a spacious way to rest, ease, digest and deepen the Yom Kippur and retreat experience, culminating in a mindful and joyful Shabbat.
What to expect?
Silent meditation with instruction
A rich variety of guided practices
Movement practice / yogaA deep celebration of Shabbat
Chanting
Small group sessions
Teachings & times for Q&A
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.
The tools and experiences in the retreat will support our hearts, minds, bodies and souls in journeying through the themes and possibilities that Yom Kippur presents.
The retreat is conducted mostly in silence, with the exception of group sessions and personal conversations with the teachers.
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.
Meer our Team
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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, 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 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.
Cost
Enjoy a special 10% early bird discount on Double & Single occupancy rooms when you book by August 18th.
To receive your discount, please use coupon code 10 on the payment page.
Shared room of up to 4: 1,850 ILS
Double occupancy: 2,550 ILS 2,295 ILS
Single occupancy: 2,900 ILS 2,691 ILS
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.
We are offering a special scholarship for anyone who was affected by the 10.7 events and who would like to participate in the retreat but cannot afford it. For scholarship applications, please write to mindfulness@orhalev.org.
If you prefer to pay in Dollars, please contact us
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.
Particpants 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
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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
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
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.
Most of the retreat is spent in silent meditation practice, with phones turned off.
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 21, 2025. 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.
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 mindfulness@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:
