Every journey is unique.
These are some of the stories, reflections, and moments shared by the people we’ve had the privilege of supporting.
“I have no words to describe my gratitude for this experience. It was indeed one of, if not the, most profound and meaningful experiences of my entire life. The amount of care and healing I got is indescribable. The combination of traditional indigenous South American and Jewish music and wisdom was beautiful and incredible and I was able to touch and heal some of my deepest wounds which were so in need of healing. The safety of the container the facilitators created was impeccable. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude”
– Idra Participant Jan ‘26
“… It was the gift I had longed for: a safe container that would give me the chance to explore parts of my soul that had been closing down.
I was intrigued by the thoughtful planning: while the actual ceremonies with the magic mushroom were central, there was even more time dedicated to preparation and to integration … I felt a joy I hadn’t felt for a long time because of the crushing sense of despair about the world and my inability to manage all the pain my congregants were sharing with me and expected me to make everything better. I feel as though the journey enabled me to know that I can hold both joy and pain, celebration and loss, and even learn something from the gifts each present to me. There is so much more to say. Perhaps one day … I can learn more about how you came to understand that this journey would be transformative not only to individual clergy but also, through them and the cohorts that follow, a journey that really could change the world.”
— Idra Participant July ‘26 Rabbinic Cohort 
“For serious Jewish seekers who want a safe, profound and deeply meaningful, potentially transformative, psychedelic experience... this is the address!”
— Idra Participant Oct ‘25“This was a perfect professional development opportunity. I came back to my rabbinate feeling refreshed and renewed and inspired. I came back with deep connections to colleagues I might never have interacted with that I know will be helpful to my work. Finally, I came back feeling so much gratitude for the amazing world we live in, wild adventures (even at my age), and the mysteries and miracles of The Eternal.”
— Idra Participant Oct ‘25“I highly recommend the Shefa retreat for rabbis. The Shefa team is extraordinary-- compassionate, courageous, gentle, and wise-- and they create a container, along with the medicine, that supports deep healing and learning.”
— Idra Participant July ‘26 Rabbinic Cohort “My experience with Shefa was one of the most transformative, spiritually profound, beautiful, and healing experiences of my life. And it continues to affect me in ways that support my mental health, spirituality, and Jewish identity. I feel less anxiety and a much deeper sense of gratitude for the gift of life. I have a healthier perspective on the more difficult aspects of my Jewish experience, namely, how to relate to the transmission of Jewish intergenerational trauma. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for Rabbi Zac and the entire Shefa team for creating such an intentional, professional and safe environment. I wish every Jewish person who feels called could have this experience with Shefa”.
— Idra Participant Jan ‘26 “To do deep work you need the kind of expertise that the Shefa team brings! I am deeply appreciative of the Shefa team’s dedication to the safety and growth of the participants. The thoughtful synthesis of Jewish and indigenous spiritual wisdom and practice in this ceremony was unique and powerful”
— Idra Participant Oct ‘25“A brilliant mix of safety, mystery and ritual located within a container of beauty and natural elegance. For anyone looking to bring contemporary standards of care together with archaic traditions of mysticism this experience is vigorously encouraged.”
— Shuva Participant Nov ‘25 “Thank you to all the staff and volunteers at Shefa for stepping bravely and humbly into this tremendous opportunity for healing and expanding consciousness. I am so deeply grateful to have been an early recipient of the powerful gift of a medicine journey with kindred spirits. Kosi Revaya -- my cup is overflowing.”
— Idra Participant Oct ‘25 
“This was one of if not the most meaningful healing experiences of my life. I felt so held, the container was so safe. I got so much beautiful loving support and I will literally be eternally grateful that I had the amazing opportunity to participate. I still cry when I think about how grateful I am for what I received.”
— Idra Participant Jan ‘26 
“I don’t think I have ever experienced rest like this. The Shefa and Cora team held space with sacred intention and deep, profound meaning and kavanah that I was able to be present in my life and being in a way I have never encountered before. Thank you for this tremendous gift.”
— Idra Participant Oct ‘25“This experience was the most thoughtfully curated, nourishing, nurturing journey I could have imagined. Shefa went above and beyond to help participants feel held and welcomed, regardless of our experience with psychedelics in the past, level of Jewish observance, or professional role. Everyone came as they were and were welcomed equally and wholeheartedly. I cannot recommend this experience more; if selected and you feel called to join, do not hesitate. I am forever changed by this experience and profoundly grateful to the facilitators for making this possible.”
— Idra Participant Oct ‘25“If you are a Jew who is intrigued by what a psychedelic experience in a Jewish setting can teach you, I highly recommend Shefa’s retreats. Rabbi Zac and the entire team put so much thought and care into creating a deep and meaningful experience for you. There is a lot of consideration and preparation that they have put into the retreats with a great emphasis on grounding oneself and setting our intentions prior to the retreat and then, most importantly, the post-integration of our experiences into our own daily lives moving forward. I feel reconnected with my Judaism and am eager for more experiences like this.”
— Shuva Participant Nov ‘25 
“I'm so grateful to Rabbi Zac and the Shefa team for a phenomenal first experience with psychedelics. Between the pandemic, October 7th, rise in antisemitism, family crises, and personal health challenges, I was beyond burned out. I was fried. The preparation, Idra retreat, and integration with Shefa has been so healing. I feel more calm, grounded, joyful, open, and carefree. I feel more loving and compassionate. My burnout has lifted and I'm excited about the future.”
— Idra Participant July ‘26 Rabbinic Cohort “This retreat opened my heart and helped me discover peace in a way that I couldn't have anticipated. As we were told, the plant medicine itself leads the way. I never could have imagined the journey I would take, but it gave me what I wanted by providing what I actually needed. It was a magical three days, in a beautiful place with the most kind, curious and embracing group of people, which was its own kind of medicine. I am grateful this opportunity exists.”
— Tzohar Participant August ‘26“There are many ways to explore the use of psychedelics for personal healing or spiritual growth. I can’t imagine any with as strong and supportive of a container as these group experiences with Shefa. Bringing in indigenous ceremony was seamless, groundling, powerful and led authenticity to the experience. The program, staff, extra staff who came in, the facility in the forest, the pre and post work…. Were by far the best way to do this personal work. I can’t imagine endorsing any other ways to do this as I do for Shefa. Bravo to Zac and those who crafted this excellent and deeply healing, opening and spiritual program.”
— Idra Participant July ‘26 Rabbinic Cohort 
“I am profoundly thankful for the retreat experience, which was one of the most important and valuable things that I have done in my life.”
— Idra Participant Jan ‘26 “I feel a deep well of gratitude to the entire Shefa team for this absolutely remarkable journey. I do wish that every Jewish person who feels called to this could do it, and I feel a little guilty even (how Jewish!) that I was lucky enough to do it and others have not had the chance yet. If there's anything else I can do to help grow this work and the Shefa community, I would love to do so. Once again, THANK YOU -- this experience truly changed my life.”
— Idra Participant Jan ‘26“The Idra retreat was one of the most important and meaningful experiences of my life. Although parts of the journeys were difficult, I always felt held and cared for by the staff and facilitators and indeed by my fellow participants. The container that they created was deep and meaningful. Even though there was not a lot of traditional davening and learning it was nevertheless deeply Jewish, which gave me the feelings of safety and at-home-ness to explore more deeply. And the integration experience was beyond beyond. I felt loved, supported and seen and it has given me the strength and insight to continue to explore the experience, and the rest of my life, in the time since”.
— Idra Participant Jan ‘26 
“The Tzohar ceremony was the most profound Jewish experience I’ve ever had. I laughed. I cried. I reflected to myself over and over, “This is what Judaism is supposed to feel like.” Now begins my journey to find other Jewish community experiences that feel even slightly as beautiful and healing as Tzohar did.”
— Tzohar Participant August ‘26 “Extremely grateful for the incredible Shefa team and opportunity to participate in a once in a lifetime journey with incredible folks from all over the country!”
— Tzohar Participant August ‘26 “Trusting that a group of diverse rabbis can show up for each other and offer immeasurable and lasting support is just the baseline of this experience. Trust falling into talented and capable hands who hold, console, encourage, and also stay silent is an important and empowering container of this work. The alliances made, the experiences held, and the restoration and renewal to be integrated post-ceremony all are encouragements to honor and support this vital work.”
— Idra Participant July ‘26 Rabbinic Cohort