The Joys (and Oys) of Sage-ing

June 19-22, 2008
Co-sponsored by the ALEPH Sage-ing Project

Learn to turn life’s difficult lessons into blessings. The Aleph Sage-ing Process™ — developed out of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi’s paradigm-shifting vision for growing older — is a deeply ecumenical process that benefits people of all ages.

Participants will gain experience with the transformations of consciousness that are the fruits of spiritual eldering, passing through a gateway from "age-ing" to "sage-ing." Rather than back into old-age with fear and avoidance, learn how to harvest the wisdom of life experiences to enrich the present moment, face mortality and repair relationships, and develop a regenerative spirit that will help you take an active leadership role in society.

This workshop may serve as a prerequisite course for the Sage-ing® Guild’s leadership certification programs.

Register now:

June 19 - 22

Teachers

Rabbi Shaya Isenberg teaches Jewish studies and comparative mysticism at the University of Florida where he is past Chair of the Religion Department. He is co-founder and co-director of UF's Center for Spirituality and Health, an affiliate member of UF's Center for Gerontological Studies and he serves as Rabbi for P'nai Or Gainesville. He also is a faculty member and serves as a director of studies for the Aleph Rabbinical Ordination Program.

Bahira Sugarman, a traditional Reiki Master Teacher, was ordained as a spiritual guide by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and has been celebrated as an Eyshet Hazon (Woman of Vision). She combines psychotherapy with healing work in private practice. Licensed as a clinical social worker, a marriage and family therapist and a massage therapist, Bahira also teaches T’ai Chi Chuan and Reiki.

Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, was ordained at the Lubavitcher Yeshiva, and received his PhD at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. Reb Zalman ordains rabbis through the ALEPH Rabbinate Program and is the founder of the Spiritual Eldering Institute. He was recently the "Holder of the Chair of World Wisdom" at Naropa University.

Registration Information

The program fee for this class is $300. Fees are per person, and do not include the cost of Room and Board (below).

Room and Board

Room and board includes housing, meals, Shabbat services, evening activities, hot tub, yoga, meditation, and full use of our facility. All rooms are air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. Adults fees apply to ages 15 and higher. Rates are per person, and include all meals. For double or triple occupancy, you may either request a roommate, or be matched with one by our staff.

Deluxe rooms

Deluxe rooms have private bathrooms. Single and double occupancy are provided with queen-sized beds, triple occupancy has twin beds. Handicap accessibility available, please call (800) 398-2630 x307.

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Plus rooms

Plus rooms have private bathrooms. A limited number of queen-sized beds are available for a $15/night surcharge, please call for availability.

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Standard rooms

Standard rooms share a bathroom with one other room. A limited number of queen-sized beds are available for a $15/night surcharge, please call for availability.

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Economy rooms

Economy rooms have twin beds with the bathroom in the hall.

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Dormitory rooms

Dormitory rooms are either triple or quadruple occupancy with bunk beds and bathrooms on the hall. Campers supply their own tents and equipment. The commuter fee includes all meals and snacks, use of the facility and its amenities, and participation in any open programming provided, such as prayer, meditation, or yoga.

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Children's Rates

Infants and toddlers under three are complimentary. Children aged 3-17 are welcome to share the room with at least one parent or guardian per room.

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Financial Assistance

Financial Aid for Room and Board

We provide limited scholarship funding to reduce room and board fees for those in extreme financial need. Financial aid is only available for dormitory rooms with hall baths for single adults and economy rooms for couples and families. If you would like to request financial aid, please complete the financial aid form. Please note financial aid requests must be received at least three weeks prior to the retreat.

Student Aid Provided by The Lasko Foundations

Up to 50% scholarship is available for graduate students in rabbinical school, cantorial school or in Master’s degree programs in Jewish Studies. To apply for this scholarship, please complete the Lasko Scholarship form. Lasko awards may not be combined with any other financial aid provided through Isabella Freedman.

Financial Aid for the Jewish Arts Institute

A grant from the Mazer Family Fund of UJA-New York covers up to 50% of the program fee for the Jewish Arts Institute. To apply for this grant, please complete the financial aid form.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation's
Jewish Experience Fund for Adults

Thanks to a generous grant from the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, adults 21 years of age or older who are residents of Western Massachusetts and want to participate in a program at Isabella Freedman are eligible to apply for up to a 50% subsidy of the total cost of the program to a maximum of $500 per program. This funding can be applied to Program Fees and Room and Board Fees. To apply for this grant, please contact The Harold Grinspoon Foundation directly.

Cancellation Policy

Payments made will be refunded in full (less a $75 processing fee) if you cancel more than 10 days prior to a retreat for which you are registered. If you cancel within 10 days or less, a non-refundable credit (less a $75 processing fee) will be held for one year from the date of issue. This credit is non-transferable. No credit or refund is available if you cancel less than 24 hours prior to or on the workshop’s arrival day, if you do not show up, or if you leave a retreat early for any reason.

Isabella Freedman reserves the right to cancel any program at any time. In the event of such cancellation, you will be given a complete refund. A full transportation refund is available if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) in advance. No transportation refund is available with less than 3 days notice.

If you are participating in a Training Institute and you miss or cancel one retreat session, your Room and Board Fee will be refunded according to the policy above, but the program fee for a missed or cancelled retreat session is still due. Withdrawal is permitted only after the first retreat session. If you withdraw from a Training Institute after the first retreat session, or if you are asked by faculty to leave the institute, you will receive a full Program Fee refund for any remaining pre-paid retreats.