“Make an opening—tzohar—for daylight…” (Bereishit 6:16)

Our ancestral story teaches that even when preparing for a journey into the unknown, we are called to make space for the light enter. Facing flood and upheaval, Noah builds an ark—a protected vessel for what matters most—and into it he places a tzohar, an opening, to receive illumination. That wisdom lives in us still.

Many of us are moving through the world with full hearts and busy lives, hungry for something we can’t quite name—deeper connection, renewed purpose, real time to remember who we are beneath the noise. Tzohar is Shefa’s three-night psilocybin retreat experience in Colorado, offered across two retreat dates in 2026, for Jews ready to build that opening: to be held in community, to journey inward, and to emerge with more spaciousness than they arrived with.

Tzohar is a spiritual immersion for healing and self-discovery—for Jews ready to do this work together.

INTEREST FORM

What Makes This Experience Unique

Tzohar operates within Colorado’s legal natural medicine program, passed by voters as Proposition 122 in November 2022 and regulated by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Tzohar retreats take place in partnership with Sanctum, a licensed natural medicine healing center in Aspen. On each retreat, the ceremony is facilitated by a team of professionally licensed facilitators working in partnership with Sanctum and Shefa, with the highest standards of medical safety, cultural responsiveness, and ethical care.

Set against the Rocky Mountains, participants prepare for and integrate their ceremony together through embodied Jewish practice, walks in nature, kosher meals, and time for rest and reflection.

Tzohar is also a contribution to the growing body of knowledge about Jewish psychedelic experience. We may invite participants to complete optional, brief, and anonymous surveys before and after the experience as part of our ongoing research.

Who should apply?

Tzohar is open to any Jewish adult 21 or older—affiliated or unaffiliated, practicing or culturally connected, however you hold that inheritance. No particular level of observance or background is required. If you’re unsure whether this includes you, reach out and we’ll talk.

We especially welcome those who are:

  • Called toward deeper connection—to self, to community, to something larger

  • Drawn to this work but in need of a supported, and Jewishly grounded setting within a statewide legal framework

Participation requires a willingness to commit fully to the arc—preparation, retreat, and integration—and to meet the medical eligibility requirements set by our partner healing center. What you bring matters most: openness, care for yourself and the group, and a genuine readiness to be present.

What is Involved?

1. Applications & Screening

Applications are now closed. Please fill out our interest form here for future retreats.
We’ll review your submission and if we feel you may be a fit for the cohort, we will be in touch about an interview. Please respond promptly.

For applicants who move forward following an interview with the Shefa team, a medical screening and assessment is required prior to being offered a retreat spot. The medical screening fee is $300.

Applicants invited to continue will be sent a payment link for the medical screening. Once payment is submitted, applicants can expect to be contacted by our medical screening partners within 1–3 business days to begin the screening process.

Please note that payment of the screening fee does not guarantee retreat acceptance or placement. Medical screening must be completed and approved before a retreat spot can be formally offered.

The medical screening fee becomes non-refundable once the screening process has begun, regardless of participation outcome.

If offered a retreat spot following screening approval, applicants will have 3 days to submit the $1,950 retreat fee before the space may be offered to another applicant.

We recommend applying as soon as possible, as space is limited.

2. Group Preparation Calls (on Zoom)

Preparation for Aug 31- Sept 3rd Retreat:

  • Tuesday August 25th, 4-6pm PT / 7-9pm ET

Preparation for Nov 16th-19th Retreat:

  • Tuesday November 10th, 4-6pm PT / 7-9pm ET

3. The Tzohar Retreat in Aspen, Colorado


Tzohar is offered across two retreat dates in 2026. Each cohort follows the same overall structure, preparation process, ceremony experience, and integration support.

2026 Retreat Dates:

  • August 31st- Septemeber 3rd, 2026

  • November 16th-19th, 2026

Each three-night retreat in Aspen, Colorado includes:

  • Monday: Arrival, grounding in the group, and preparation

  • Tuesday: Continued preparation & Ceremony 

  • Wednesday: Integration 

Throughout, participants gather for embodied Jewish practice, shared meals, learning, and time to rest and process together.

4. Integration (Zoom)

 Integration for Aug 31- Sept 3rd Retreat:

  • Tuesday September 8th, 4-5:30pm PT / 7-8:30pm ET

Integration for Nov 16th-19th Retreat:

  • Tuesday November 24th, 4-6pm PT / 7-9pm ET

5. Ongoing Connection

The cohort doesn’t end when the retreat does. Participants are invited to continue gathering monthly in optional integration circles as the experience unfolds over time.

Where You’ll Stay

Participants stay at Aspen Meadows Resort, a 98-suite property set on 40 acres in the West End of Aspen, rooted in the history of the Aspen Institute and designed by Bauhaus artist Herbert Bayer. The resort is minutes from Sanctum and within walking distance of Aspen’s trails, shops, and restaurants.

Standard accommodations are shared suites with single-gendered room assignments. Private room upgrades are available upon request for an additional fee. Lodging and ground transportation if flying into Aspen are included in your retreat fee and arranged by Shefa.

The closest airports are Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE, approximately 70 miles), and Denver International Airport (DEN, approximately 225 miles). Detailed logistics information—including packing guidance—will be sent upon acceptance.

Facilitators

Your journey is held by a team of at least six facilitators, which are a mix of licensed natural medicine facilitators certified under Colorado’s Proposition 122 framework, and support staff, in partnership with Sanctum. The facilitation team brings training in trauma-informed care, somatic practice, and depth psychology, alongside deep familiarity with Jewish spiritual life. Shefa’s spiritual care team is present throughout to hold the Jewish arc of the experience, offer one-on-one support, and guide the communal journey.

Pricing & Commitment

Tzohar retreats are underwritten by generous supporters to keep the experience as accessible as possible.

There are two fees:

  • The retreat fee of $1,950 includes:

    • Application and screening

    • Logistics and coordination

    • Individual and group preparation and integration sessions

    • Ground transportation in and out of Aspen Airport only

    • Lodging

    • One group psilocybin journey

    • All shared meals

    • Retreat activities before and after the ceremony

‍ ‍Airfare to and from Aspen is not included.

  • The medical screening fee of $300:

    • As stated above, there is a required medical screening and assessment which costs $300 and is only required for applicants who move forward after interviews with the Shefa team.

    • Medical screening must be completed and approved before a retreat spot can be formally offered.

Payment is due within three days of acceptance. Medical fees are non-refundable, regardless of participation outcome & retreat fees are non-refundable with extenuating circumstances considered on a case-by-case basis—please reach out as early as possible if your situation changes.

This retreat is being co-curated by two organizations: Shefa as retreat provider, and Sanctum as ceremony provider. While working in unison, each has separate medical clearance forms to ensure compliance with their own processes. We thank you for your time and patience while going through each of these necessary steps.

We are currently accepting applications for 2 retreats:

  • August 31st- September 3rd

  • November 16th- November 19th

Interest Form

General FAQ

  • The word tzohar appears only once in the Torah—the light-source Noah is told to build within the ark. Jewish mystics read it as a teaching about inner life: we all need to bring personal illumination to the traditions we inherit in order to make them our own. The medicines we work with can be that kind of light—bringing new perspective and greater clarity into our lives as we have come to understand them.

  • Colorado Proposition 122 created a regulated framework for supervised adult psilocybin services. All psilocybin sessions take place at Sanctum, a state-licensed healing center in Aspen, and are facilitated by trained, state-licensed professionals.

  • Participants receive a personalized serving of psilocybin-containing mushrooms within a shared group setting. Dosage and session intentions are explored with licensed facilitators during preparation.

  • Your safety shapes every decision we make. Medical and psychological screenings are conducted before acceptance to ensure this experience is appropriate for you. Licensed facilitators and Shefa’s spiritual care team are present throughout—trained to hold whatever arises with skill, steadiness, and care.

  • Difficulty is a recognized part of this work. Our team is trained to hold it, and you will never face it alone. Facilitators and spiritual care staff are present throughout the ceremony and available well beyond the retreat itself. Whatever arises, you will be supported.

  • Tzohar is a community retreat, not a clinical therapy program. Our facilitators are licensed under Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act; Shefa’s team provides spiritual and communal care. This is not a substitute for mental health treatment. If you are working with a therapist, we encourage you to keep them in the loop and, where possible, to involve them in your integration.

  • The rhythm of our time together is held by Jewish time, ritual, and spiritual care—embodied practice, ancestral wisdom, Shabbat-like space for restoration, kosher meals, and a welcoming embrace of the full diversity of Jewish practice and identity. We bring mystical depth into the room without requiring any particular background to access it.

  • All communal meals are prepared with hekhshered ingredients in a kashered kitchen. We are pluralistic and inclusive in our approach to practice. For specific questions about your individual observance needs, please reach out before applying—we want to make sure you feel at home.

Application + Participation FAQ

  • No. We welcome first-time journeyers and those with prior experience equally. What matters most is sincerity of intention and a genuine readiness to be present to the work.

  • Support for the retreat begins well before participants arrive in Aspen. The application and interview process is itself part of determining readiness, building relationship, and answering questions about the experience and cohort fit.

    Applicants who move forward will complete a medical screening and consultation process with one of our licensed medical screening partners. Once accepted into the retreat, participants will receive an informed consent and onboarding session with Shefa staff, preparation materials, and access to the cohort space to begin connecting with the group ahead of the retreat. Participants will also gather for a virtual group preparation session prior to arriving in Colorado.

    Additional preparation and orientation take place in person throughout Monday and Tuesday before the ceremony experience. Following the retreat, participants engage in a full day of supported integration on Wednesday, followed by a virtual group integration call the following week. Participants are also invited to continue gathering in optional monthly integration circles as the experience continues to unfold over time.

  • All participants complete a medical and psychological screening before acceptance. Certain conditions are contraindicated. If you’re unsure whether you’re a good candidate, reach out before applying and we’ll help you think it through.

  • Certain medications—including SSRIs, MAOIs, lithium, and some cardiovascular medications—may be contraindicated or require a washout period before participating. This is assessed during medical screening. Please do not adjust or discontinue any medication without consulting your prescribing physician. If you have questions before applying, reach out and we will connect you with the right person on our team.

  • Preparation and integration are essential to the safety and integrity of this experience. Within the retreat itself, you are always free to rest, step back, or engage at whatever pace feels right for you.

  • Your participation is fully confidential. We do not share participant names outside the Tzohar team. All staff and facilitators operate under confidentiality agreements as part of Shefa’s Code of Ethics. Participants are asked to extend the same commitment to one another.

  • If our team determines this experience isn’t the right fit for you at this time, we will be in touch with care and, where possible, with guidance about other Shefa offerings that may serve you.

  • There are two fees: the retreat fee and the medical screening fee. The retreat fee is $1,950 and covers lodging, all shared meals, ground transportation, preparation and integration sessions, and the group journey itself. The required medical screening fee costs $300. Airfare to Aspen is not included.

  • Tzohar retreats are significantly underwritten in order to make participation as financially accessible as possible. In addition, a limited number of partial scholarships are available based on financial need and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

    If receiving scholarship support would make participation possible for you, you will have an opportunity to indicate this within the application. 

  • There are two fees: the medical screening fee and the retreat fee.

    The medical screening fee becomes non-refundable once the screening process has begun, regardless of participation outcome.

    Retreat fees are non-refundable due to the limited cohort size and depth of planning involved. Extenuating circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please be in touch as early as possible if your situation changes.

Cost + Commitment FAQ

Logistics FAQ

  • Aspen Meadows Resort—a 98-suite property on 40 acres in the West End of Aspen, rooted in the legacy of the Aspen Institute and designed by Bauhaus artist Herbert Bayer.

    Standard accommodations are shared suites with single-gendered room assignments. Private room upgrades are available upon request for an additional fee.

  • Monday: Arrival, grounding in the group, and preparation

    Tuesday: Continued preparation & Ceremony 

    Wednesday: Integration

  • Each retreat holds between 10 and 12 participants, supported by a facilitation and care team of at least six.

  • We ask participants to minimize screen time and be as present as possible with the retreat cohort. Phones are available for essential communication but we encourage you to keep them off during shared sessions and ceremony. This is your time.

  • We are committed to making Tzohar as accessible as possible. Sanctum, the healing center we are working with, and Aspen Meadows, where participants will be staying, are both ADA accessible. If you have mobility needs, physical limitations, or other accessibility requirements, we ask that you please note them in your application. We will do everything we can to accommodate you.

  • All communal meals are kosher. If you have additional dietary needs—allergies, intolerances, or other requirements—note them in your application and we will take care of you.

Who is leading the retreat?

Your journey is held by a team of at least six facilitators, which are a mix of licensed natural medicine facilitators certified under Colorado’s Proposition 122 framework, and support staff, in partnership with Sanctum. The facilitation team brings training in trauma-informed care, somatic practice, and depth psychology, alongside deep familiarity with Jewish spiritual life. Shefa’s spiritual care team is present throughout to hold the Jewish arc of the experience, offer one-on-one support, and guide the communal journey.

Rabbi Zac Kamenetz, Facilitator, August 31 - September 3 Retreat

Jessie Duke Gerzon, Facilitator

Jessie Duke Gerzon is a ritualist, community builder, and entrepreneur devoted to creating spaces for connection, grounding, and spiritual growth. A passionate visionary and skilled connector, she brings heart, playfulness, and strategic clarity to everything she builds. Rooted in her own journey through chronic illness, healing, and teshuvah, Jessie believes intentional practice—held with integrity and joy—can catalyze profound personal and collective transformation.

She currently serves as Program Director at Shefa, where she builds and holds programs on every level—shaping strategy, building community infrastructure, cultivating partnerships, facilitating & supporting participants, and even creating one of Shefa’s integration frameworks. She also works with The Elevation Project, Rav Doniel Katz’s initiative exploring Torah and Kabbalah as a sophisticated model of human psychology and consciousness. Jessie specializes in translating big spiritual vision into coherent, human-centered community experiences.

She is the founder of Bendichas Manos, offering a signature adaptogenic ceremonial cacao blend and facilitating Jewish ritual experiences rooted in embodied listening to support integrated action. She also hosts the Embodied Judaism podcast, exploring identity, ritual, and journeys of healing through stories.

Jessie sees life, business, and relationships as the most psychedelic of journeys. Based in Berkeley and proudly from New Jersey, her earliest spiritual experiences took place in Yankee Stadium.

Rabbi Zac Kamenetz is the founder and CEO of the non-profit Shefa, the first Jewish organization to create spaces for healing and self-discovery in community by integrating Jewish wisdom with psychedelic practices. He holds a BA in Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland, an MA in Biblical Languages from University of California at Berkeley, and received rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbinical Authority of Jerusalem in 2012. Zac is trained in somatic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy by the Hakomi Institute of California. Zac lives on Ohlone land in the Strawberry Creek Watershed called Berkeley, California with his wife and two children.

Rivkah Standig, Facilitator

Rivkah Standig (she/they) is a licensed clinical social worker and psychedelic-assisted therapist. She combines elements of somatic and mindfulness practices, Brainspotting, depth psychotherapy, and spirituality as holistic paths for healing, inner reflection, and growth. She has completed training through Shefa on Judaism as a psychedelic container; studied under Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, Ph.D. on the use of Jungian depth psychology and embodied ritual work for intergenerational trauma healing; and completed multiple Kabbalah trainings with Dr. Yosef Rosen and Geo Poor.

Rivkah has lived in 9 different US states and Tel Aviv, Israel, and sampled many different careers before determining that psychedelic therapy is her life's passion. Her unconventional path and unique life experiences allow her to provide a safe and inclusive space centered on creativity and exploration. She has advanced training in ketamine therapy, psilocybin facilitation, psychedelic care for neurodivergent individuals, Jewish psychedelic practice, healing intergenerational and ancestral trauma, and various therapeutic modalities.

You can find out more about Rivkah here.

Skippy Mesirow is a facilitator, healing center owner, and public-service leader with more than 15 years of experience guiding transformational and leadership-development work for individuals and groups. He received facilitation training through Naropa University and completed psychedelic facilitation trainings in psilocybin and ketamine-assisted modalities through InnerTrek in Oregon and 1440 Multiversity in California. He also spent five years with the Zendo Project as a trained psychedelic sitter, shift lead, and supervisor supporting altered-state and crisis experiences.

He is the creator of THE COURAGE METHOD™, a whole-human leadership framework that has trained more than 1,000 leaders nationwide across government, nonprofit, and executive sectors. Through his top-10%-global Civic Courage Lab Podcast, he has interviewed and learned directly from leaders including Byron Katie, Parker Palmer, Jerry Colonna, Rick Doblin, and David Allen.

At SANCTUM, Skippy integrates psychedelic facilitation with executive coaching, somatic therapy, trauma-informed care, breathwork, mindfulness, and parts work to support leadership development, peak performance, and deep personal transformation.


Skippy Mesirow, Facilitator

Testimonials from Idra

“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.” 

—Idra 2026 Participant

“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 2025 Participant

“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 2026 Participant