Refuge in the Ark:

A Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Retreat

Sunday, November 16 - Thursday, November 20, 2025

Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY

This retreat will be primarily silent.

** Please Note: Registration is now FULL for this retreat, but we are accepting registrations to the Wait List. If you wish to come to the retreat, we recommend you register for the Wait List, and we will let you know if spaces become available. 

We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful, serene Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY, for a Jewish mindfulness meditation retreat led by faculty from the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS) and other experienced, beloved instructors.

Our faculty will include: Founding IJS Teacher, Rabbi Nancy Flam; Senior Core Faculty, Rabbi Miriam Margles;  Core Faculty, Rebecca Schisler; Senior Faculty Fellow, Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell; Vice President of Faculty & Program Rabbi Marc Margolius; and Cantor Lizzie Shammash. 

Over five days, we will focus on deepening our practice through silent meditation enhanced with Jewish teachings, meditation instructions, mindful prayer, and yoga/embodied practice. We will use silence as a tool to deepen our sense of calm, safety, and spiritual development, following Rav Shimon Ben Gamliel’s teaching that “I have found nothing better for a person than silence" (Pirke Avot 1:17).

Our days will include time practicing together as a whole group as well as time for smaller sessions in two tracks—one for those newer to Jewish mindfulness meditation and one for those with more experience. There will also be opportunities to mindfully explore the beautiful grounds and forested trails surrounding the Garrison Institute. This retreat will be silent other than our opening dinner and closing lunch, communal prayer, periods for questions and answers, and during one-on-one meetings with the faculty.

After you register, you will receive an email with information about travel to/from Garrison Institute, access to a ride share board, and other information. If you have any questions, please be in touch: [email protected].

Please note: You can find retreat pricing below on this form. If you are requesting financial support, please do so using this form BEFORE registering for the retreat. Thank you!


  • For those newer to Jewish mindfulness meditation (including those who are new to retreats)

  • For those with more experience with meditation on retreats.

  • Please share a bit more information below about your background in meditation and on retreats.


Please note that Garrison Institute provides single and double occupancy rooms with a limited number of triples and quads. Bathrooms are shared. There are two ADA accessible bedrooms on the ground floor that share an ADA bath, and all other rooms are on the second, third, or fourth floors.

  • Not ADA Accessible

  • There is one Single ADA Accessible private bedroom with shared bathroom.
    * Please only select this option if you have accessibility needs.

  • There are 2 ADA Accessible Room for two people with a shared bath.
    *Please only select this option if you have accessibility needs.

  • We encourage people to stay at the retreat center if at all possible in order to benefit most fully from the retreat experience. Commuters are expected to take part in all program sessions. This rate includes three meals a day and the use of all common areas.

$0.00

For those attending retreat with a partner or other family member: We suggest rooming separately. As a silent retreat, many participants have reported that the temptation to talk and interact with their partner/family member has taken a toll on their retreat experience. If partners or other family members request to room together we will assume both parties have taken this under advisement and will honor the request.

For those who signed up for a double room:  

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel more than three weeks prior to the start of the retreat: We are able to offer a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee.

If you cancel within three weeks of start of retreat: We regret that we cannot offer a refund unless we are able to fill your spot from the wait list.

If you need to cancel because of COVID or another serious illness, or due to an unavoidable work or family-related emergency: We will do our best to find someone to take your spot for a refund, but we cannot guarantee this. If we are unable to fill your spot, we regret we cannot offer a refund. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover such a situation.

Any fees refunded due to cancellation will be paid in the same manner as your registration fee (e.g., credit card or check).

If you need to cancel your registration, please contact IJS Support at: [email protected].



Dietary Information

Food on retreat will be kosher and there will be vegetarian options. The IJS Kashrut policy can be found here. 

Please help us by letting us know if you are (check all that apply):


Travel

Participants will need to arrange their own transportation to and from the retreat. Detailed information on how to get to and from Garrison will be available in your confirmation email.


Additional Information

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