- This event has passed.
Hineni: Jewish Mindfulness Retreat 2026
Friday, April 24 - Sunday, April 26
The third annual Hineni retreat* is a multi-day immersion into mindfulness meditation for Jewish, Jewish-adjacent, and curious individuals of all backgrounds. Led by Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, this retreat is designed for both experienced practitioners and those new to meditation.
This year’s theme, Shabbat Rest as a Mindfulness Practice, explores the Jewish wisdom of Menucha (spacious rest). Through a blend of teaching, silence, and sitting, walking, and eating meditations, we will create a sweet and joyous refuge from the turbulence of daily life. Our time together will include contemplative Shabbat prayer, moving beyond a high volume of words to find deep connection through chant, song, and silence.
Dates: Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26 (full schedule below)
Location: Burlington Friends Meeting House (near Ohavi Zedek Synagogue).
Food: Friday dinner and Saturday lunch and dinner provided. Please enjoy breakfast before arriving on Saturday and Sunday.
Produced by: The Mindfulness Team of Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.
This retreat is open to everyone—whether Shabbat is a regular practice for you or something you’ve never experienced before.
* Hineni means “Here I am!” in Hebrew, a spiritual call of presence.
“I recently had the privilege of learning with Rabbi Jordan at a 5 day silent meditation retreat , ‘Awakening the Divine’, at Isabella Freedman Retreat Center in Falls Village, Connecticut, organized by Or Halev, a center for Jewish mindfulness in California.
Rabbi Jordan taught me how to wake up to my life and bring more intention into my everyday experiences. His presence, warmth and open-heartedness put me at ease.”
– Judy Danzig, OZ Congregant and Executive Board Member, Mindfulness Committee Chair
Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell is Senior Core Faculty at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), where he focuses on teaching Jewish mindfulness and text and leading the development of a new center for advanced Jewish mindfulness practice and study. Jordan has been a practitioner of meditation for nearly 30 years, and brings a wealth of experience in Jewish education and contemplative practice to his work.
His previous leadership roles include serving as Director of Camp Ramah in Canada from 2019-2022 and as the founding Director of Ramah Beyond, leading wilderness and mindfulness retreats and trips. Earlier in his career for IJS, Jordan was a teacher of Jewish Mindfulness and Director of the Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training, and he also taught meditation to clergy through IJS’ Clergy Leadership Program. After his ordination in 2008, Jordan served as a congregational rabbi and co-founded the Center for Jewish Mindfulness in Chicago, which became part of the Orot Center. Jordan is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly.
A recipient of the 2014 Covenant Foundation Pomegranate Prize, Jordan lives in Toronto with his wife Yael and three kids. Outside of work, you can find Jordan in his kayak exploring new waterways or in a hot yoga studio.
Friday, April 24 – Setting the Intention
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Check-in
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Evening Program
Welcome and Opening Circle
Teaching, Instructions and Contemplative Prayer/Chanting
7:00 PM – 7:45 PM | Dinner
7:45 PM – 8:15 PM | Evening Practice
Shabbat, April 25 – The Deepening
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Morning Practice
Meditation and Contemplative Shabbat Prayer
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch (Observed in Silence)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Afternoon Practice
Meditation, instructions, and Q&A
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Mindful Movement
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Teaching & Meditation Practice
5:00 – 6:00 PM | Light Dinner
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Break
7:30 – 9:00 PM | Singing circle and Havdalah
At Ohavi Zedek – open to all
With snacks and Musical Havdalah Services
Sunday, April 26 – Integration & Returning
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Morning Practice
Including contemplative prayer and meditation
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Meditation Teaching & Practice
Instruction and meditation (sitting and walking)
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Q&A
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Carrying the Practice Home
Community sharing and closing ritual
1:00 PM | Retreat Ends
