Journeys into Oblivion

Ancient Jewish Wisdom for the End of Times

August 25–28, 2008

Did you know that the proverbial “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” is based on early Jewish prophecies?

Find out what the Jewish tradition says about the quickening of time and events that we are experiencing in this era and learn how to deal with the fast-paced momentum of this very tense and exciting period of human evolution and history. Join two brazen mavericks of contemporary Judaism for spirited chant, illuminating wisdom, deep belly-humor and entrancing movement.

We’ll take a wild ride across the open-ended plains of Midrash, the slippery slopes of Talmud, the rocky ridges of Torah, the deep canyons of Tenakh and the endless wilderness of Kabbalah. Explore teachings of old that address the new and help us to better cope with the ups and downs of everyday life in these unusual times... and beyond.

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Aug 25 - 28

Teacher

Rabbi Gershon Winkler is the author of fourteen books, mostly on Jewish mysticism, philosophy, history, law and the occult. Father of six and grandfather of seven, he is a pioneer in the research and dissemination of Jewish shamanic wisdom and founder of Walking Stick Foundation, dedicated to the recovery of aboriginal Judaism. Ordained in Jerusalem by the late Kabbalist, Rabbi Eliezer Benseon, Gershon renders user-friendly the lesser-promulgated wisdom of Jewish mystery wisdom.

Ravi Miriam Maron, R.N., M.A. is a spiritual healer and mentor in private practice who also conducts training programs on Kabbalistic and Jewish shamanic healing modalities and has facilitated workshops across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Israel. A mother of three and grandmother of seven, her concerts, as well as her albums, feature Jewish healing and mystical songs and chants. As a prolific singer/songwriter her work has received wide acclaim from interdenominational sources across the globe.

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Registration Information

The program fee for this class is $300. Fees are per person, and do not include the cost of Room and Board (below).

Room and Board

Room and board includes housing, meals, evening activities, hot tub, yoga, meditation, and full use of our facility. All rooms are air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. Adults fees apply to ages 18 and higher. Rates are per person, and include all meals. For double or triple occupancy, you may either request a roommate, or be matched with one by our staff.

Deluxe rooms

Deluxe rooms have private bathrooms. Single and double occupancy are provided with queen-sized beds, triple occupancy has twin beds. Handicap accessibility available, please call (800) 398-2630 x307.

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Plus rooms

Plus rooms have private bathrooms. A limited number of queen-sized beds are available for a $15/night surcharge, please call for availability.

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Standard rooms

Standard rooms share a bathroom with one other room. A limited number of queen-sized beds are available for a $15/night surcharge, please call for availability.

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Economy rooms

Economy rooms have twin beds with the bathroom in the hall.

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Dormitory rooms

Dormitory rooms are either triple or quadruple occupancy with bunk beds and bathrooms on the hall. Campers supply their own tents and equipment. The commuter fee includes all meals and snacks, use of the facility and its amenities, and participation in any open programming provided, such as prayer, meditation, or yoga.

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Children's Rates

Infants and toddlers under three are complimentary. Children aged 3-17 are welcome to share the room with at least one parent or guardian per room.

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Financial Assistance

Financial Aid for Room and Board

We provide limited scholarship funding to reduce room and board fees for those in extreme financial need. Financial aid is only available for dormitory rooms with hall baths for single adults and economy rooms for couples and families. If you would like to request financial aid, please complete the financial aid form. Please note financial aid requests must be received at least three weeks prior to the retreat.

Student Aid Provided by The Lasko Foundations

Up to 50% scholarship is available for graduate students in rabbinical school, cantorial school or in Master’s degree programs in Jewish Studies. To apply for this scholarship, please complete the Lasko Scholarship form. Lasko awards may not be combined with any other financial aid provided through Isabella Freedman.

Financial Aid for the Jewish Arts Institute

A grant from the Mazer Family Fund of UJA-New York covers up to 50% of the program fee for the Jewish Arts Institute. To apply for this grant, please complete the financial aid form.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation's
Jewish Experience Fund for Adults

Thanks to a generous grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, adults 21 years of age or older who are residents of Western Massachusetts and want to participate in a program at Isabella Freedman are eligible to apply for up to a 50% subsidy of the total cost of the program to a maximum of $500 per program. This funding can be applied to Program Fees and Room and Board Fees. To apply for this grant, please contact The Harold Grinspoon Foundation directly.

Cancellation Policy

Payments made will be refunded in full (less a $75 processing fee) if you cancel more than 10 days prior to a retreat for which you are registered. If you cancel within 10 days or less, a non-refundable credit (less a $75 processing fee) will be held for one year from the date of issue. This credit is non-transferable. No credit or refund is available if you cancel less than 24 hours prior to or on the workshop’s arrival day, if you do not show up, or if you leave a retreat early for any reason.

Isabella Freedman reserves the right to cancel any program at any time. In the event of such cancellation, you will be given a complete refund. A full transportation refund is available if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) in advance. No transportation refund is available with less than 3 days notice.

If you are participating in a Training Institute and you miss or cancel one retreat session, your Room and Board Fee will be refunded according to the policy above, but the program fee for a missed or cancelled retreat session is still due. Withdrawal is permitted only after the first retreat session. If you withdraw from a Training Institute after the first retreat session, or if you are asked by faculty to leave the institute, you will receive a full Program Fee refund for any remaining pre-paid retreats.