Current Projects
Or HaLev is dedicated to our mission of bringing mindful Judaism to the world, one person at a time.
Gates of Awareness: Mindfulness Teacher Training in Partnership with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS)
In our current culture fraught with mental health issues, racial inequities, health challenges and political disparities there is a growing recognition of the importance of the intersection of Judaism and mindfulness. At the same time, there is a lack of qualified teachers who are skilled both in Judaic and meditation practices. The need for teacher training has been recognized by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and Or HaLev, the two leading organizations dedicated to both Jewish spirituality and mindfulness, and a partnership was born to launch an exciting three year teacher training program! The program was launched in Israel and North America in January 2023.
OHL is thrilled about this partnership, as it enables us to expand access to our programs in order to reach a critical mass of people and communities in a way that also responds to the varied needs of students. Currently, we are limited in our reach due to lack of trained teachers that will allow us to reach students on a much larger scale. We are thrilled to be partnering with IJS, a leader in the field, and their superb staff and teachers. This partnership not only expands our teacher and knowledge base, it allows both organizations to create an impactful program that will positively transform the growth of the field and the ability to reach our community on a far-reaching scale.
Faculty Development
Our teachers are the beating heart of Or HaLev, we see investing in them as paramount to our continued work. In this vein, our Faculty Development program enables our team of incredible teachers to connect to and learn from each other, on a monthly basis, where they can share in practice together, and an annual two day retreat (both in-person and online).
When we come together, we create sacred community, which is at the center of our practice. Yet too often we practice, teach and learn alone, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Our Faculty Development program engenders a sense of connection, as we support one another in our practice, to grow as teachers and practitioners, and to explore ourselves in a context of insight, challenge and love. Until recently, Or HaLev teachers have been a loose collection of individuals sharing a passion for this work and bringing it to others when the opportunity presented itself. Now, we want to bring ourselves together to support our growth, connection, and camaraderie through a faculty development program that will create a sense of shared language, development and connection between us.
Our Work in Israel
Or HaLev builds pluralistic practice through Jewish spirituality and meditation - engaging Israelis from widely different backgrounds. By providing precious resources for crafting a meaningful life through connection, joy and inspiration rooted in shared Jewish spiritual heritage, Or HaLev opens hearts while reducing fear and prejudice. Or HaLev’s transformative models of mindfulness practice directly impact Israelis, particularly young adults, enabling the growth of a movement to create accessible, relevant, pluralistic Judaism open to all Jews in Israel and throughout the world.
In a society constantly experiencing trauma and uncertainty, Or HaLev provides a unique opportunity for Israelis from vastly different places to come together in practice that leads to healing, resilience and compassion.
Recently, Or HaLev responded quickly to the war in Israel by developing new online meditations sent on a WhatsApp to provide support and healing for a traumatized Israeli population.
"I live in Ashkelon. After 10 difficult days this was so very much needed. Thank you so much. I'm now better equipped.” - Tali M
“It amazes me how powerful this is, how accessible. I feel much calmer now. Thank you." - Idan M
Supporting Our Healers
As we experienced firsthand the deep psychic and emotional wounds so many people in Israeli society were feeling in the aftermath of Oct. 7 and the ensuing war, we realized that one special demographic – Israeli therapists – were effectively serving on the mental health front lines of a traumatized and heartbroken nation. As they worked tirelessly, absorbing their patients’ challenges and sharing the burden of processing profound traumas, we dared to ask: Who will heal the healers?
Our response manifested with the launch of our newest retreat program, Tomche Hachlama – “Supporting Our Healers” – curated especially for Israeli therapists who are treating the most impacted victims of the war.
In recognition of their intense work, Or HaLev developed a specialized mindfulness program to provide professional therapists with a restorative and healing sanctuary to process their experiences among a community of peers.
Our first retreat took place in mid-July in the beautiful Arava desert, where more than 30 therapists convened for three days of mindfulness meditation, wellness and movement practices, individual and group processing sessions and one-on-one counseling led by Or HaLev’s exceptional, trauma-sensitive trained teachers.
And this is just the beginning!
The feedback we received from our launch was so encouraging: A majority of participants reported that the retreat added value to their lives. So we already have additional therapist retreats on the books for 2025, each with an entirely new cohort, and big plans to expand the program into a multi-year, community-building fellowship centered around retreats, online learning and other wellness and integration practices.
It is our honor and privilege to provide support and care for the therapists who work to unburden so many suffering souls. And it is our hope that in providing these therapists with the tools and resources they need, the benefits will extend to their patients – and ultimately, Israeli society as a whole.
