With the psychedelic renaissance thoroughly underway in the wider culture, this series will focus on interweaving the fields of psychedelics and Jewish spiritual wisdom. We will travel together through a threefold path of preparation, immersion, and integration accompanied by voices from the rabbinic tradition and beyond in the hope of arriving at the end with more resources and perspectives on how to proceed and/or not proceed. We will also investigate how the lessons and best practices around psychedelics emerging from the realms of neuroscience, medicine and therapy can inform how we approach our religious and spiritual lives. Texts will be provided in Hebrew with English translation. No previous experience with psychedelics is necessary to participate in this series.

 Session 1: In this first session, we will cover the significance of preparation in Judaism in understanding the "set and setting" of journeys with psychedelics. Using models from the holidays, Shabbat, and spiritual practices, we will discover that getting ready for something is just as important, if not more important, than the thing itself. 

Tickets for Session 2 can be purchased here and Session 3 here.

Beni Summers is in his final year of rabbinical school at Hebrew College. He has focused his efforts on becoming a highly proficient teacher of Jewish mysticism, dedicated to inspiring seekers of all generations to live their Judaism as a spiritual practice through a neo-Hasidic lens. He served as the first rabbinic intern at Shefa: Jewish Psychedelic Support for three years, developing into a budding thought leader at the intersection of Judaism and psychedelics. He has also taught Jewish approaches to mindfulness meditation for many years, and convenes a weekly community for contemplative practice in Cambridge.