What’s Jewish About Psychedelics, and What’s Psychedelic About Judaism?
An exploration through teachings, meditation and dialogue.
The Psychedelic Renaissance is underway, with American Jews playing a significant role in the reemergence of psychedelics for recreational, therapeutic, and spiritual uses. What might be the communal, ritual and theological ramifications of entheogen use in Jewish contexts? How might Jewish consciousness inform psychedelic spirituality, and vice versa? What is the role of psychedelics in healing, from ancestral trauma to the traumas we’re experiencing in this very week? And how might we anticipate and navigate the shadow sides of this work?
Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson is the author of several books on Jewish spirituality and mysticism. He has been writing about Judaism and psychedelics since 2007, and has recently been part of programs on the subject at Harvard Divinity School and the Parliament of World Religions.
He’ll be joined in conversation by Chochmat’s Spiritual Leader, fellow polymath Zvika Krieger.
This event is co-sponsored by Shefa: Jewish Psychedelic Support. Rabbi Zac Kamenetz, Shefa’s founder and CEO will be introducing the program and guest, Rabbi Jay Michaelson.
Tickets are $18 for Chochmat members and $25 for non-members. No one turned away for lack of funds – email shalom@chochmat.org if price is a barrier.
This event will be live-streamed on Zoom. Everyone who purchases a ticket will be sent the Zoom link on Thursday morning. Zoom-only ticket prices are the same.
Can’t make the live session? All registrants will receive access to the exclusive recording.
Shefa is a fiscally-sponsored religious organization dedicated to providing different avenues of psychedelic support to Jews and their communities. Founded in 2020, Shefa—”flowing abundance” in Hebrew— cultivates greater awareness in the Jewish community about the potentials risks and rewards of psychedelic use in various settings, advocates for a more culturally competent, religiously-inclusive approach to Jewish experience in the psychedelic world, and supports ethically and authentically integrating Jewish spiritual traditions and psychedelic exploration.
In short, Shefa creates powerful pathways to the heart of Jewish wisdom, practice, and community inspired by the contemporary psychedelic renaissance. Learn more about Shefa on their website shefaflow.org, or on Instagram at @shefaflow.
COVID Protocols
Our new policy effective May 19th, 2023 is as follows:
Chochmat HaLev, in consultation with our medical advisor and based on community survey results, will discontinue masking requirements for attendance at events. Masks, although not required, are recommended. We understand people will need to make their own decisions about exposure and risk based on their own personal preferences, and health status.
Chochmat HaLev will provide passive ventilation (e.g., open windows and doors under the supervision of security-trained personnel) and other equipment as available.
Chochmat HaLev will include specific guidelines for those attending in person events on our website and in announcements regarding events.
Chochmat HaLev will provide seating adjacent to a window in an end-of-the-row seat to individuals upon request.
DO NOT attend an event at CHL:
if you are experiencing any potential symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness
if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days and have not had a negative antigen test on Day 6 or later
if you have had a known exposure to COVID-19 in the past 3-5 days
if a household member has tested positive in the last 10 days and has not had a negative test on Day 6 or later
PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE
By attending this event, you consent that recordings or photos of you may be used by Chochmat HaLev. If you have any questions, please contact shalom@chochmat.org.
