Intensive Education
Dar'khei No'am program

Overview
Dar'khei No'am is an educational program that offers in-depth learning of Hebrew wisdoms in intensive seasonal modules. Fall, spring and summer weeks are in New Mexico, while the winter module, extended to three-weeks, is held in the mystical town of Tzefat, Israel. Over the yearlong term, the program includes courses in ritual artistry, Hebrew language, Jewish practice enrichment, and the Feminine Torah study, as well as the contemplative practices of authentic movement and Hebrew devotional chant.

Vision
We intend to serve the growing population of those Americans and Israelis seeking a spirituality within contemporary Jewish modes of practice that is embodied, nature-based, inclusive, and well-rooted in pre-Judaic ancient traditions and the original Hebrew language. Persons interested in integrating ancient spiritual paths within their contemporary practice, without connection to a particular religion, would also be served. We further intend to enhance understanding of the spirituality of abrahamic tribes: pre- Judaism, Christianity and Islam - recognizing this awareness and honoring as a movement towards full reconciliation of stratifications these religions have known.

Faculty
In addition to keren's primary instruction, guest teachers will be included for specific enrichment courses- TBA as they are contracted. For example, Jo'el Jojola, will offer teachings in native american ceremony as resonate with the native hebrew.

Program Structure

Fall Module - October 2009
Week long study in "Deva Lands" Retreat, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Spring Module - March 2010
Three-week intensive at "Beit Guri" Retreat, Tzefat, Israel, includes:
* Small trips within Israel included
* Option to add up to two additional weeks for private study and independent exploration of other areas in Israel using the center as a base

Summer Module
Week long wilderness experience with study, New Mexico

Additional Periodic Sunday workshops for local participants
* Fall Module: four Sunday workshops
* Spring Module: four Sunday workshops
* Summer Module: two Sunday workshops

Individualized Program: Participants design their course study, choosing from 2-4 modules, during a personal consultation with keren prior to registration. At the time of registration, the full 2009-2010 year term is planned and committed to.

"it is a huge privilege to learn, share and pray with you. I thank god that we were brought together!"

- amy, new mexico

 
the mik'dash center
for hebrew heritage wisdom
and embodied jewish practice

at last, - - -
a gathering place
wherein
the essence
of tribal hebrew ways
are recovered and integrated into
contemporary jewish practice
a place
without
institutional bounds on
the cultivation and immediate expression
of the sacred.
whoever is moved to be present is welcome.

Arrange for keren to teach in your community -
Introductory talks and workshops offered as guest artist/scholar at country-wide temples or institutes of learning

A free introductory talk -
Aboriginal/Ancient Hebraic Roots
Revitalizing the tribal essences in modern Jewish times

The Hebrew ancestors were tribal people, desert wanderers, and the leaders, the prophetic seers. Their ways of understanding and relating to The Divine and the other beings in nature were vastly different than common Jewish practices today. Though we re-tell stories of Abraham & Sarah, Moshe & Miriam, and the many others wandering in the tanakh, the essences of their practices and experiences are only vaguely apparent in contemporary Jewish practice.

keren's work directly answers to the fact that so many Jewish people are demonstrating a hunger to be personally touched by Jewish prayers and worship practices. She suggests that at this time in history our remembrance and inclusion of the sensibilities from the more ancient Hebrew culture can serve this need. keren further suggests that one of the consequences of exiles and collective trauma is the condensation of spiritual practices into "backpack-able religion", and she believes that now is the time to unpack. Today's spiritual seekers and younger generations are longing to hear the voices of their more ancient ancestry. Remembering their spontaneous and profound words of prayer, their rituals that included natural elements, and their pilgrimages to the "mount" to meet their maker, can revitalize contemporary Judaism with a healing dose of its own root-essence.

Additionally, the housing of religion within an establishment has been at least a barrier - if not an injurious cause - to many who would otherwise want to continue in the Jewish lineage. Keren's work offers a possibility to the prevalent concern for the future of Jewish people: that it is time to recall and recover our ancient wisdoms and riches.

This introductory talk is offered free-of-charge (travel expenses may be necessary) and can be formatted according to the needs of the congregation, such as a d'var torah during regular services (15-20 minutes) or as a more in-depth talk and discussion in another format (20-60 minutes).

Attendees of the talk would listen to lecture, song & mantra, and have the opportunity to receive answers to any questions they may have for Ms. Abrams and her body of work. All talks can be customized to the communities' specific interests and needs.

Guest Artist/Scholar Retreats

Ms. Abrams co-creates with nationwide communities, synagogues and educational institutes an in-house half or full-day retreat, according to each one's specific interests and requests. The contents and order of a sample full-day retreat is below:

An introductory talk and discussion
What does she mean by "Hebraic wisdom" and why do I care?
This hour long talk occurs some time before the retreat begins - either the evening before, or the morning of the retreat

The Magic of Hebrew Mantras, an interactive teaching
Some of the treasures of the Jewish inheritance are the ancient Hebrew texts of praise and devotion, (t'heelim) understood to be from the time of King David. Here, we glean some sacred phrases, or mantras, from within the texts. Participants are guided to pronounce, understand and read (if possible) the key Hebrew words in phrases of text and discuss the primary roots. We engage with the text with contemplative thought and creative processes. No Hebrew literacy necessary.

Quiet break, personal or small group reflective assignments
Participants are requested to bring a journal or notebook for writing exercises and reflection.

Filling in the Blanks,
deepening the experience of standard practice
Would you like to feel touched by the standard prayers you speak in services? Create new meaning within traditional practice at home and in shul. Participants are encouraged to bring a prayer they are drawn to understand in a more personal way, and the group will engage in as many as possible. All questions and inquiries are welcome.

"Miriam's Drum", a presentation of songs, mantras and meanings
Participants will enjoy an hour of musical performance. Explanations and meanings for the mantras and words in the songs are offered.

teaching arenas and intentions

in addition to individual studentships, keren's teachings are offered via her mik'dash center, the newly forming santa fe institute of kabala, as well as independent contracts with both jewish and other spiritual groups around the usa and israel.

as teacher, keren's main intention is to inspire the innate wisdom of the being through body-mind-spirit attention and integration.

all of the teachings are intended to facilitate each person's direct experience and conscious awareness of the divine and sacred dimensions of being-ness, as well as refining mindfulness and witness practice and presence. in the transmission of spiritual wisdoms, either hebraic or universal, keren guides with experiential and embodied methods.

primarily, the subjects keren teaches range from jewish/hebrew tradition & wisdom, practice, language & prayer, to authentic ritual as an art form, to forms of devotional practice, to improvisation, movement and dance.

Course Descriptions for the Dar'khei No'am program

Ritual Artistry
Courses in this arena will offer participants the tools to be artists in the making of ritual. From the perspective that ritual is a form of art-making, we will explore the use of natural elements, gesture, music, movement and symbols ń both universal and particularly Hebraic ń in the making of ritual for holy days and life cycle milestones.

Hebrew Language
Courses in this arena will provide participants the teaching and opportunity to practice the basic building blocks to read and to pronounce the Hebrew language towards deepened comprehension of Hebrew text. As courses will be based on participants' current level of Hebrew study, all participants can expect to advance their skill level.

Jewish Practice Enrichment
Courses in this arena will support participants to deepen their understanding of Jewish customs, prayer and ritual, and to bring a more embodied and meaningful experience to these practices.

Feminine Torah Study
Courses in this arena will enlighten students to approach Torah, both written and oral, with a very new perspective that involves contemplative thought, intuition and creative art to glean, today, the wisdoms of ancient Torah. In this course, we approach Torah study with the intention to receive the ģilluminationī embedded in the codification of Judaism as a continuation of the ancient Hebrew's spiritual revelation.

Authentic Movement
Authentic movement is a form of meditation in motion. In this practice we strengthen our presence in compassionate witness of self and others, and we discover more freedom in our embodied experience both alone and within the group experience.

Hebrew Devotional Chant
Hebrew devotional chant is a practice of engaging Hebrew mantras from ancient text with chant and music. Participants discover this practice as a method of personalizing and more fully embodying their prayer experience.

Please email for details of courses and registration instructions, which will be published on our website in June 2009.

 
other workshop titles include:

• tekes mikhilah (feminine forgiveness ritual)
• the sod of eidut, the sod of eirut
• authentic ritual creation
• authentic movement
• sacred space jam -devotional practice
• sacred rest: the shabbat
• the movement of prayer
• hebrew devotional chant
• jewish daily home-rituals

See calendar for upcoming classes and retreats in new mexico at the deva lands