Events
EVENTS TAKE PLACE ON ZOOM UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE
KABBALAT SHABBAT WITH YELALA
Every Friday 18.30-19.45 GMT
In this time of physical disconnect, let us choose connection... We may not be able to go out into the apple orchards to welcome the Shabbat like the sixteenth century Jewish mystics, but we can convene in this Online Orchard, to sing in the Day of Rest with chants, meditations, and wordless melodies.
When you email us, please share a short personal memory of something calming, so we know you are a real human being.
This event is offered free of charge. If you are feeling abundant, we would appreciate a donation towards our work.
This event is open to all, regardless of whether or not you are able to donate.
THE COTTAGE IN THE WOODS
Zoom | November 2020-March 2021
As the air turns cold and the days darken, we invite you to warm yourself around a hearth of ancestral wisdom and community. Join Yelala to pass the whole Winter in our Cottage in the Woods, from the comfort of your home. Options exist to become a Cottage Resident (one price covering all Cottage in the Woods programming), or to attend individual courses.
Cottage Resident places are sold out but you can book for individual courses, see information below.
AT THE BOOK NOOK: WONDER WOMEN OF THE TANAKH
Zoom | 19.00-20.30 GMT | 11, 18, 25 JANUARY & 1 FEBRUARY 2021 PLEASE BOOK BY 4 JANUARY
A course over 4 weeks. Our sessions will include text study, as well as an embodied or meditative practice to connect to the medicine of each ancestress. While there are many awesome women in Tanakh, this course focuses on some of the women whose stories are lesser known, and who we have explored less in Yelala, but who deserve to be raised up.
This course is part of our Winter programme, The Cottage in the Woods
Please note it is not possible to book for individual sessions
DREAMWORKING WITH YELALA
Zoom | 19.00-20.30 GMT | FREE | 14 JANUARY 2021
Judaism has a long tradition of significant dreams, and we invite you to join us and Yelala to learn more about Jewish traditions and myths around dreams and dreamworking.
This event is sponsored and hosted by Moishe House Clapham
THE HEARTH: A COURSE IN RITUAL CRAFT
Zoom | 19.00-20.30 GMT | 15, 22 FEBRUARY + 1, 8, 15, 22 MARCH 2021 CURRENTLY WAITLIST ONLY
Ever wanted to craft or lead a Jewish-rooted ritual of your own? Suitable for all levels of ability.
Sessions include gaining knowledge of ritual-making throughout Jewish history, practical ritual design and leadership skills, chevrutah study (in pairs), additional mentoring sessions, and the opportunity to lead and workshop your own ritual.
This course is currently full. Please check you can attend all dates and then email hello@yelala.co.uk if you'd like to be put on our waitlist
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Your own Yelala Event
We often work in partnership with co-hosts. These events can be private for you and your friends / participants, or open to the public - it's up to you. We make some basic agreements, and then you can promote to your heart's content. If the event is open to the public, we will help you to promote the event, too.
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We have been guests at music festivals, faith communities, interfaith events, meditation groups, podcasts, Red Tent & Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) groups, retreats, & private homes. We are happy to participate in single or multi-gendered gatherings, and Jewish, multi-faith, or secular groups.
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In Devotional Circles we learn accessible chants & song based on ancient Hebrew liturgy, and enter soulful, song-filled meditation together. Occasionally we also run rituals online, from Tu b'Shevat seders to moments
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In Learning Circles we can explore a rich variety of sessions based on the creation and history of Jewish rooted ritual, feminine archetypes* and narratives in a Jewish context, and we can adapt our teachings to suit all levels of Jewish knowledge. We use song, study of sacred and anthropological texts, and invite embodied exploration, and personal reflection.
*Archetypes are based on the Netivot wheel, created by the Kohenet Institute as a tool for finding feminine representation in Jewish text & history.
Get in touch to host us.
If you think you'd like us to make a ritual for you, please click Ritual + Ceremony in the menu at the top of the page.
A selection of past events...
SHAVUOT SEDER WITH YELALA
28 May
Shavuot Seder? Isn't the Seder night a Passover thing?
The Seder is such a fabulous, richly layered, joyful, multi-sensory & delicious ritual! So, we are making a special adapted seder to celebrate Shavuot. Join us! Explore this festival of revelation, kinship, and first fruits. We will combine poetry, song, learning, and symbolic food to celebrate the soul of this special festival.
Advance booking is essential, & no one is turned away for lack of funds. See further information in the ticket link below.
FIRST FRUITS: A RE-IMAGINED SHAVUOT RITUAL
29 May
"A person goes to one's field and sees a date that is bearing fruit, a bunch [of grapes] that is bearing fruit, or a pomegranate that is bearing fruit, and ties it with a string and says, "Behold these are Bikkurim." - Mishnah, Bikkurim 3
Bikkurim were the first fruit offerings that were waved in the air as a sign of gratitude and devotion at the ancient temple of Jerusalem. Have you learned a new craft or skill? Have you made a transition? What has changed since last Autumn for you?
whatever they are, bring your first fruits to wave, share and celebrate in our Zoom gathering at the eve of Shabbat.
POP-UP BEIT MIDRASH & YELALA PRESENT
MEETING THE HEBREW PRIESTESS: A 3 PART WORKSHOP SERIES
Consecutive Mondays, June 18:30-19:45 BST (UK)
Throughout Israelite and Jewish history, women have held a multitude of spiritual leadership roles, from keepers of sacred space to prophetesses and even witches. Join to explore ways in which our ancestresses have stepped into their spiritual power. In this series we will explore the presence of the Shrinekeeper, Prophetess and the Witch in Jewish text and history.
ITS SAYS WHAT?! WITH JW3
26 June
We join JW3 for this 30-minute bite-size series, educators from across the community will share some of their favourite pieces of Jewish wisdom.
He [Bezalel] made the laver of copper and its stand of copper, from the mirrors of the shrinekeeper-priestesses who served at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Exodus 38:8
Kohenet Yael will explore who these women were, what might their role have been? Why do most of us never learn about them? What might they have to teach us?
ROSH CHODESH AV WITH YELALA & NEW LONDON SYNAGOGUE
20 July
Join Kohenet Rachel for accessible meditative song, reflections on the month we are stepping into and the one we have left behind. The new moon of Av will rise on the evening of 21 July, but we will meet on the 20th.
WEEPING TOGETHER IN THE NIGHT: A RITUAL FOR SORROWS OF ALL SIZES
29 July
On the night that marks the destruction of our ancient sacred spaces, let us draw together to make space for griefs of all shapes and sizes. In this deeply broken world, let us find some solace in the connections we forge with one another, our ancestors, the Earth and ourselves. We will make space for song, silence and embodied ritual. We will hear passages of Eicha, the Book of Lamentations, which recounts, in heart-breaking poetry, the destruction of Jerusalem and her Temple. We will cry out from our most broken places for a world better than this one. We will remind ourselves that even in the darkest depths, we are not alone.
Join Kohenet Yael Esther and rising Kohenet Sara Moon for an evening to make room for our sorrows and to find comfort in a circle of like-minded souls.
A TU B'AV RITUAL OF SCARED SEXUALITY
2 August
In ancient Israel, the grape harvest began on Tu b’Av. Cutting down the green and yellow tendrils yielded ripe, sweet, juicy fruit of the vine - a fruit which in turn lead to an altered state of mind and a day filled with joyous festivities of connection and pleasure. Kohenet Rachel and sacred sexuality educator Seani Love are renewing and reclaiming this celebration with a rich and playful introductory-level exploration of sacred sexuality. Meet the archetype of the Sacred Lover in Jewish sacred text and within yourself. This session will contain exploration of the Sacred Lover and our relationship with them through experiential practices, song, and learning.
'Chilli' rating 1 out 4: No nudity, no genital contact at any time, no partnered work with other attendees, although if you attend with a partner we will offer options for you to explore gentle exercises in pairs that match our boundaries.
PAST WISDOM, PRESENT PRACTICE: SACRED SPACE BEYOND SHUL
5 August
In these times of lockdown, most of us are also locked out of our usual sacred space, the Synagogue. How have Jewish ancestors created spaces for connection with the Divine at home and elsewhere?
Through Jewish text, anthropology, and a little conversation and song, we will trace a journey through biblical altars, ancient hill-top shrines, the rabbinic honouring of the home table, and a rich tapestry of folk traditions from across the diaspora, which may serve as inspiration for how we might find sacred space no matter where we are. This session includes content from the Meeting the Hebrew Priestess: Shrinekeeper class. Hosted by New London Synagogue.
PAST WISDOM, PRESENT PRACTICE: GRIEF
12 August
How do we walk the path of mourning in this disconcerting time? Kohenet Rachel will share stories about grieving practices from Jewish texts, mourning rituals from across the diaspora, and will also share experiences that may help you in creating or supporting vigil, burial, and remembrance rituals in this socially-distanced time. This event is suitable for you whether you are grieving, helping others to grieve, or are simply curious. All emotions are welcome; please be aware that this is not a therapeutic space.
Hosted by New London Synagogue.
THE RHYTHM OF ELUL: ANCESTRAL PRACTICES FOR OUR TIMES
24 August
For our ancestors, the journey towards the New Year and Yom Kippur was a whole season of internal and even external pilgrimage, the month beforehand peppered with grave-visiting, ritual candle-making, deep-night devotion, even full moon rituals by the sea. Coronavirus may have separated some of us from our usual practices at this time of year. For others, this may all be new! How can we learn from the rhythm of Elul? Join Kohenet Rachel as we find old-new ways to walk the path towards renewal as the season turns.
THE NEW YEAR FOR ANIMALS: A SPECIAL PEREK SHIRA SONG CIRCLE
27 August
Did you know that in Jewish tradition, animals have their very own New Year? We'd like to celebrate! With a special Perek Shira song circle!
Perek Shira is an ancient Jewish text that teaches us that every aspect of the natural world has its own song. We'll sing our way through Perek Shira, celebrating our animal friends along the way.
If you have a pet who might like to join in the celebrations, please feel free to invite them along. We'll make a space to bless within our song circle to bless the animals in our midst. Please note that you are welcome whether or not you have an animal in your life; pets are not required for participation!
STRUGGLES OF MOTHERHOOD: GUARDIAN MOTHERS OF THE NEW YEAR
7 September
Over Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, we read the stories of four mothers:
Sarah, who laughs bitterly when she is promised a child in her old age…
Hagar, Sarah’s reproductive slave, who is banished by Sarah and sent into the desert…
Hannah, who models true prayer, in the face of great sorrow…
Rachel, who weeps for her children...
For each mother, motherhood is a struggle - whether it’s infertility, race, class, internal family conflict, or some combination, none of these mothers finds the process of birth straightforward. There is frustration, sorrow and strife. Bringing new life into the world has never been easy.
Join Kohenet Yael Esther to explore what medicine these ancient mothers might offer us as the New Year draws closer and closer...
AT THE BEDSIDE: JEWISH CUSTOMS & FOLKLORE OF BLEEDING & BIRTHING
November 2020
A course over 4 weeks, suitable for anyone who has been born! Sessions include learning about Jewish customs around birthing and being born into the world from across the Jewish diaspora, with song, ritual, discussion, and room for practical ideas. This course makes no assumption that attendees wish to be parents, and focuses on our relationship with this liminal doorway through which we have all entered life.
This course is part of our Winter programme, The Cottage in the Woods
IN THE WILD WOODS: JEWISH WAYS WITH WINTER SOLSTICE
December 2020
A course over 3 weeks. Join us to learn about Jewish customs around Winter Solstice, including midrashim (folklore), Earth-centred practices, women’s practices, and the stories of the ancestresses we raise up at this time.
This course is part of our Winter programme, The Cottage in the Woods
Since this course is sold out, click here to see our next course, which begins in January
Please note it is not possible to book for individual sessions
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