Creating Ourselves Anew:

Spiritual Preparation for the High Holidays with Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder
 

The High Holiday season is a time for introspection and discovery. During the Hebrew month of Elul we are called to reflect on where we have been, who we are in the present and where we want to go in preparation for the coming year, 5784. The Hassidic master, Rabbi Kalonymous Kalman Shapira, also known as the Piazetzner Rebbe (1889-1943), taught that teshuva is more than a process of returning to what was, but rather a process for creating ourselves anew. He believed that each person can create a new self by drawing down spiritual wisdom into their bodies.

During our retreat, we will explore what it means to live fully into our potential, awakening our hearts and spirits to embrace the new and release the old as we embody, transform and draw closer to the Divine.

What spiritual tools might we cultivate to create ourselves anew?

Through art making, chant, movement and journaling, we will engage with traditional and contemporary texts. Together, we will reflect, release and renew ourselves for the year to come as we cultivate our inherent creativity.

What to bring:

• A journal and writing implements.
• Favorite art supplies. Some art-making materials will be provided.
• Wear comfortable clothing for movement.
• An open heart.

Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder is a spiritual leader and artist who designs transformative learning and ritual opportunities to provide seekers with joyful and creative approaches to Judaism. She serves as Rosh Hashpa’ah, head of Spiritual Direction for the ALEPH Ordination Program, supporting the spiritual development of the seminary students and faculty. In addition to being a mashpia, a spiritual director, Rabbi Eva enjoys her roles as a creative life-cycle guide, pastoral counselor, teacher and ritualist. 

R' Eva received rabbinic smicha though ALEPH and graduated from Lev Shomea as a spiritual director. An alumna of CLAL’s Rabbis Without Borders and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality Clergy Leadership Program, R’ Eva also graduated from R’ Shefa Gold’s Kol Zimra Hebrew Chant Leadership training and R’ Nadya Gross’s Wisdom School. She teaches Mindfulness Meditation, Wise Aging and Mussar integrating the expressive arts into her practice. R’ Eva is currently a Fellow of the Jewish Studio Process Creative Facilitator Training in addition to being in their inaugural Clergy Cohort. Recently retired as the Rabbi of The Shul of New York, she now lives in Boulder with her husband, Larry. They have two adult partnered daughters and two grand-dogs who keep them smiling.