To find out the details on any of our programs sign up to receive our monthly newsletter at Metivta@metivta.org .

Contemplative High Holy Day Services
Metivta's High Holiday services meld traditional liturgy with meditation, chant, Torah study. The second day of Rosh Hashanah is a stand alone chanting service.
High Holidays Schedule 2010. Registration Form

Annual Retreats
Metivta retreats are offered several times year in secluded settings in Southern California. A small group retreatants come together to meditate, study, pray and chant. Although much of the time is spent in silence, something truly remarkable takes place. For a few days, we become members of an intense, dedicated community. We emerge refreshed, cleansed and ready to re-enter our everyday lives more centered and grounded and with a renewed commitment to our spiritual practice.
For more information or to register contact Lyle@Metivta.org.

Wednesday Morning Study
The Wednesday morning study group is an ongoing group of dedicated students who meet from 7:45 AM to 9:00 AM. We study various texts, usually in Hebrew though not always. Using both Judaic skills and the awareness that meditation fosters in our lives helps us interpret and understand the texts together. Taught by Rabbi Jonathan Omer-Man by telephone and by Rabbi Ivan Ickovits in person, students enjoy a penetrating and lively discussion.Participants are limited.

If you are interested in joining this class email Marilyn Zweifach at Marilyn@metivta.org.

Special Programs and Services
Whether it is a program for Pesach, a Hanukkah celebration, a Tisha B'av study group or something inspired by one of our guest teachers like our recent Dzikr workshop, our special programs are each unique.

Contemplative Kabbalat Shabbat Services
You are invited to join the Circle for the Celebrations of Kabbalat-Shabbat and Holy-Days
Rabbi Jonathan Omer-Man says that on Shabbat and a Holy- Day, "More is available from Above. How do I experience it? How do I prepare to be receptive? How do I carry it throughout the rest of the week? Our circle explores this unique time....Read more
For more information on upcoming services contact Gilla at gilla29@msn.com

Tikkun L'eil Shavuot
Each year we meet for a traditional Tikkun L'eil Shavuot, the late night study session on Erev Shavuot. In keeping with our belief that we can receive Torah anew in every moment, we study, chant, meditate and do yoga together so we may open to what is possible for us at this time in our holiday cycle.

Yoga & Havdallah in the Succah
We continue our passage through the high holiday season with a special Shabbat program, Yoga and Havdallah in one of our members succahs. Iyengar instructor and Metivta member, Ida Unger leads us in a yogic journey through the creation story (parashat Bresheit) via a series of poses. The poses celebrate each day of creation, and culminate with restful poses that bring us to a state of Shabbat Menucha - the deepest state of rest, in a succah of peace.

Zhikr Workshop
Dzikr is an ancient spiritual exercise in which a group uses breath, movement, chant, and meditation together as a sublime means to deep connection with the Divine. Recently Rabbi Ivan Ickovits taught Dzikr theory and practice to the Metivta community giving all an opportunity to learn this powerful exercise. Dzikr, remembrance, is a Sufi practice of many different circles of Sufis - mystics connected to the Islamic faith. The following are his notes on this sacred practice which have become an integral part of Metivta retreats and High Holiday services. "Dzikr is not an exclusively Islamic practice but a Universal one. There are references to the practice in Jewish literature. It is a form to stimulate and revitalize the experience of the presence of God. As such it is sacred and requires quietude, focus - access to one's inner space. This practice is done sitting, standing, and / or moving."

For information about current programs and services Click here

Metivta, a Center for Contemplative Judaism
10880 Wilshire Blvd Ste 920 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (818) 654-9293
metivta@metivta.org