An Elul Journey: Turn and Return

Preparing our Hearts and Souls for the New Year
 

With Rabbi Yael Levy

Sept. 11-14, 2025,

Stony Point Center in Stony Point, New York

The month of Elul is an opportunity for spiritual realignment, deep reflection and waking up to possibilities. It is a great time to be on retreat.

Present to our tender hearts and the drum beat of our world, we will listen to the calls of this season and engage in practices to help us turn toward 5786 with courage, faith, willing strength and hope.

There is so much wisdom in the tradition to hold and guide us.

Psalm 27, the psalm of this season, will be our foundation as we engage in:

Prayer
Sitting Meditation
Walking Meditation
Hitbodedut: Opening to encounter
Shared reflections and
Sacred silence.

We will find strength and support from each other that will help us all step into the New Year and say hineni—here I am, ready to take my place as a participant in the re-creation of the world.

This holy season asks us to be vulnerable, courageous, humble and true. It is a glorious and challenging journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to explore and prepare together.

Jump down to Registration

Here’s what registrants who attended a recent A Way In retreat had to say…

“I felt safe to go deep and got more than I imagined out of the experience. It was thrilling to wake up on Monday still in a slightly altered state and at 8am I was resisting getting on my computer to check emails.”

“Outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah were fabulous, and I'll treasure those memories forever.”

“I left the retreat feeling deeply moved and nurtured by Rabbi Yael's wisdom and compassionate invitation to connect to the spiritual in all ways and to each other.”

Register

Maximum retreat participation is 20

One-step registration includes all AWI program fees, your room and all meals for your three-night stay.

Retreat registration will be open until the maximum number of 20 participants is reached. Be sure to register early. A Way In retreats fill up quickly.

We offer a Roommate Match program. Register as a double option and contact Bea Leopold at retreats@awayin.org for a match.

Our meeting space will be in the Art Space building. View a Campus Map for location of accommodations.

Please select the single or double room option below, and your discount, if applicable. There are rooms available in Gilmore Sloane House (all 12 Rooms include an ensuite bathroom and 2 beds) and Magnolia Lodge (all 12 rooms have close-by hall-access bathrooms and showers and 2 beds.)

Go to Stony Point website to view accomodations.

Discounted Fees

There is currently an Early Bird discount of $18 for all registrants in effect until Tuesday July 8, 12 noon Eastern.

There are also discounted fees for A Way In Friends - individuals who have donated or pledged $500 or more to A Way In since July 1, 2024, and for rabbinical students. 

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations 30 days or more prior to September 11 will receive a 50% refund if your space cannot be filled. Cancellations less than 30 days prior to September 11 will receive a flat $180 refund.

Kindly register one person at a time.

Questions about Logistics: Bea Leopold, Retreat Coordinator c/o Retreats@awayin.org retreats@awayin.org.

Questions about Teaching Content: rabbiyael@awayin.org