Course Description
Come join Original Witness • Visalia Zen Center online for our Fall 2026 Interfaith Zazenkai: “Firewood, Ash, and Atonement: Dōgen’s Genjōkōan and the Jewish High Holidays”! During this retreat, we will celebrate new beginnings and explore the central theme of Atonement. Each and every moment is a new beginning, a self-discovery of at-one-ment.
I am very excited to welcome you and look forward to honoring this season of turning and renewal together as a community. Everyone is welcome! Especially you!
This is an important time of intensive spiritual practice, self-discovery, and at-one-ment. As this season celebrates new beginnings, we realize that each and every day is a new beginning. Year after year, we start over. We are always starting over! This is our practice.
We celebrate creation anew. We are called to awaken to the voice and vision of the Sacred everywhere and in everyone. This too is our practice.
In addition to the retreat, PRS students will have two additional Zoom gatherings/meetings.
Earns .5 credits towards smicha
This Course Is Free
Thank you to Rabbi Adam for generously giving of his time and expertise!
What This Course Entails
- Pre-Retreat Orientation via Zoom
A session introducing the course’s core academic topics. - Online Meditation Retreat
Full participation in the 6-hour online daylong Jewish meditation retreat on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
The retreat will run from 7am – 1pm Pacific Time - Post-Retreat Class via Zoom
A session for further study and exploration of how contemplative practices can enhance students’ rabbinates. - Academic Deliverable
Submission to Rabbi Adam of a 2–3 page reflection essay. Rabbi Adam will provide feedback on the essay.
Depending on enrollment, the live orientation and post-retreat sessions may be conducted as group sessions or 1:1s.
Registration
Students should register for this course by emailing Rabbi Adam directly:
Retreat information and registration
Online Interfaith Daylong Zen Retreat registration page
Learning Verification Method
Provide the following brit limmud to Rabbi Adam who will finish completing it and email it back to you.
Submit the completed brit limmud in the quiz verification of this course.
I was worried that a day of meditation would be tough for me but it turned out to be just what I needed to prepare for the HHD. Well done, Rabbi Adam!