Chanukah, translated as “dedication”, commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a period of desecration and tragedy. Celebrated during the darkest month of the year, Chanukah calls us to bring our awareness and compassionate light to the places in our lives that have been left unattended and uncared for.
Join Makai on a collective journey of rededication where we will seek to cultivate greater attention, care, and acceptance of our inner world.
Throughout the day, we will immerse ourselves in several modalities including sitting meditation, walking meditation, gentle movement, mindful eating, Q and A, and writing practice. The content of this course will pull both from sources originating from Buddhist and Jewish tradition.
We will conclude the retreat by lighting candles together to bring in the first night of Chanukah.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
Tentative Retreat Schedule:
9:30-9:45am— Arrival
10:00-10:15am— Introduction to theme and day
10:15-10:45pm— Anchoring and RAIN practice
10:45-11:15pm— Q & A
11:15-11:30pm— Break
11:30-12pm— Talk
12:00-12:45—Writing exercise and sharing
12:45pm-1pm—Lovingkindness practice
1-2pm—Lunch (with prompted conversation)
2-2:15pm— Mindful Movement
2:15-2:45pm— RAIN practice with self-compassion
2:45-3:15pm—Walking practice with instructions
3:15-3:30pm—Q and A
3:30-3:45pm—Break
3:45-4:15pm— Talk
4:15-4:30pm—Lovingkindness Practice
4:30-5pm—Closing ritual
Makai Dorfman has been practicing meditation for over 12 years and is deeply passionate to share his experience as it has made a transformative impact in his own life and in his relationships. He has attended and volunteered on several insight meditation retreats in the Goenka tradition and through Common Ground Meditation Center in addition to a number Jewish meditation retreats. Makai is currently in a two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Training Program led by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield and is teaching this course as a part of his requirements. He has worked as a Jewish Educator for over 13 years in a variety of settings and across ages, including teaching for two years in Beth El’s Aleph Preschool. Makai has a Masters in Jewish Education through the Jewish Theological Seminary in NYC and is currently in a Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.