Shavuot: Season of Revelation
With Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Eve Ilsen, and Friends
May 25 – 29, 2012
All-inclusive tickets include:
- Shabbat leading to the Holiday - "Anochi" with Rabbi Arthur Waskow
- All Night Learning in 12 ways - Tikkun Leil Shavuot
- Sunrise Shacharit - Ecstatic Prayer with Reb Zalman
- AdamahFoods First Fruits Farm-to-Feast Kiddush
- Deep teachings from today's Jewish renewers
- Midnight Hike to the top of "the Mountain"
- Pilgrimage Parade with costumes & goats to "the Temple"
- Kosher Artisanal Cheese Tasting
- Spiritual Counseling Face-to-Face with Rabbi Phyllis Berman
- Fun Activities for Kids!
We're looking forward to feeling the love with beautiful music from our friends at Romemu as we count the days down to Shavuot: Season of Revelation.
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, was ordained at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva, and received his PhD at Hebrew Union College — Jewish Institute of Religion. Reb Zalman remains active in the educating and training of rabbis, cantors and rabbinic pastors in his role as founding rebbe of the ALEPH Ordination Programs. He is the founder of the Spiritual Eldering Institute and was "Holder of the Chair of World Wisdom" at Naropa University.
Eve Ilsen is a psychotherapist, teacher, storyteller and singer. She has studied closely with mythologist Joseph Campbell, Eutonia bodywork founder Gerda Alexander, and trained for years in Jerusalem in waking dream and the therapeutic use of imagery with Mme. Colette Aboulker-Muscat. Since returning to the United states in 1986, Ms. Ilsen has also worked in tandem with her husband, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, co-creating the Wisdom School, co-leading workshops and partnering at holy day retreats. In 2008, she was ordained as a Rabbinic Pastor. These days, Eve is invoking transformative states by performing in concert, as a singer and a storyteller.
Rabbi David Ingber is the founder and Spiritual Director of Romemu. David studied Philosophy and Psychology at NYU, and has learned at a wide range of yeshivot in Jerusalem and New York, from the ultra-orthodox Yeshivat Chaim Berlin, through to modern orthodox institutions including Beit Midrash leTorah and Yeshivat Chovovei Torah. David received his smicha from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi in 2004. He then served as the Rabbi in Residence at Elat Chayyim Retreat Center for 2 years. Rabbi David promotes a renewed Jewish emphasis on meditative practices and is working for the integration of sacred body practices into mainstream Judaism.
Shir Yaakov Feinstein-Feit is a singer, composer, designer and producer. He has written liturgical chants and melodies that are used in prayer circles and synagogues around the world. Shir Yaakov was an Elat Chayyim Residential Intern, Isabella Freedman’s Creative Director and an ADAMAH fellow. He is currently the Musical Director of Romemu: NYC’s Shul for Body, Mind and Spirit.
Rabbi Marcia Prager is Director and Dean of Ordination Programs for ALEPH and rabbi of P’nai Or, the Jewish Renewal Congregation of Philadelphia. She is the author of The Path of Blessing and creator of the unique P’nai Or Siddurim for Shabbat and other innovative approaches to prayer and liturgy. marciaprager.com
Hazzan Jack Kesslerwas ordained as a Cantor at JTS, and had a twenty-year congregational career. He earned a Master’s degree in voice from Boston Conservatory and studied composition at Brandeis University. He directs the ALEPH Cantorial Program and two touring ensembles: Atzilut—Concerts for Peace and Klingon Klezmer. atzilutmusic.com
Romemu is a NYC congregation that is attempting to transform the way Judaism is practiced and experienced by infusing aspects of Eastern spiritual practices with traditional Orthodox influences, so the "ta'am" or "taste" is unmistakably Jewish. Committed to powerful prayer and transformative spiritual practices, Romemu attempts to engage the heart, mind and body in everything we do, helping us to foster greater levels of compassion. We believe that Judaism offers spiritual seekers and skeptics alike a path that celebrates our wholeness and provides practical, grounded ways to heal our brokenness. We are committed to helping to birth a post-denominational Judaism that transcends ideologies and labels, that is joy-based and contemplative, ecstatic and reverential, connected to our tradition, yet open to truth, wherever it is found.
P'nai Or is a unique congregation which grew in response to our search for innovative approaches to Jewish prayer, learning and celebration. Philadelphia P'nai Or was founded in the early 80's by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi along with students and colleagues who envisioned a new form of intentional Jewish community. Here Jewish teachers and learners would co-create contemporary forms of Jewish statement in a dynamic relationship to Torah, Hasidic prayer and teaching, the Jewish mystical tradition, meditation and current approaches in psychology and personal growth. We meet on Jewish holidays and every Shabbos in the West Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. An hour of lively, participatory Torah study precedes our Shabbos Morning service. Our davvenen' (prayer style) is upbeat, celebrational and participatory, blending Hebrew and English song and chant with opportunities for reflection and sharing. Throughout the year, we sponsor classes, get-togethers, and many celebrations.
Prayer at Isabella Freedman during Shavuot
We are thrilled to welcome the leading Renewers of Judaism today to Isabella Freedman for Shavuot. Reb Zalman, Rabbi David Ingber, and Rabbi Marcia Prager have worked tirelessly for decades to build a Jewish movement that:
- embraces the use of instrumental music as a spiritual tool on Shabbat and Holidays;
- employs consistent electronic amplification in order to increase access to prayer for all participants during all services; and
- is committed to holding space for an egalitarian prayer community that includes all genders and often inspiration from the spiritual paths of the rest of our human family while remaining rooted in Jewish tradition and practice.
As always, all meals are strictly kosher and supervised, and our eruv allows for enjoyment of our entire facility in respect for all streams/levels of Jewish observance during Shabbat and Holidays.
Registration Information
If you're new to Isabella Freedman, check out our Frequently Asked Questions for information about where we're located, arrival and departure times, what to bring, etc.
All-inclusive adult rates start at $710 per person for double-occupancy. Click the purple button to the right for information, rates, and to register online. Online registration is for full credit card payments only. If you would like to pay in installments, pay by check, or apply approved financial aid, please call 800.398.2630 x4. Please click the purple button to review our lodging options and rates prior to calling.
We strive to make our programs affordable to everyone.
Click here for information about Financial Aid.
CONSIDER CAMPING - New Options Available Now!
Just as the Israelites encamped at the foot of Mt. Sinai waiting for the giving of the Torah, consider joining us for Shavuot in the most natural way possible by choosing one
of our camping options. (Prices are per person.)
- Open Field Camping: $630 (bring your own tent and camp gear)
- Camping Platforms: $650 BYOTent or $680 for an IF rental (camping with a wooden platform to place your tent on)
- Kfar (Forest) Cabins: $680 (The perfect combination of camping and comfort, our Kfar cabins have 6 bunk beds for community dynamics, wood floors, ceilings, and walls, and screened doors and windows so you can enjoy the night air just like a camper! Bathroom facilities are in line with other camping options: compostable toilet, port au potties, and bathing in poolside bathrooms)
All camper fee options include all meals and snacks, use of the facility and its amenities, including access to bathrooms and hot showers, and all programming. Please call 800.398.2630 x4 to make camping reservations.
