MakomDC and the Wellness Center @ Adas present a day of learning, embodied practice and gathering with special musical guest Eliana Light

Join us for a transformative experience dedicated to the Hebrew month of Elul, a sacred time of personal reflection, renewal, and spiritual preparation for the High Holidays. 

Through embodied spiritual practice —such as mindful movement, breath-work, and song—we will focus our intention on t'shuvah (returning to oneself) in preparation for the most sacred time in the Jewish calendar. Rich and deep Jewish learning will illuminate the themes of introspection, forgiveness, and spiritual growth. Rooted in the power of community, this gathering will provide space for connection in community as well as personal growth and learning. Participants will leave feeling renewed, grounded, and ready to step into the new year with clarity and intention.

Our full day (beginning with prayer experiences at 9 am) includes breakfast and lunch,  text learning, embodied spiritual practice and special musical experiences, focused on the High Holy Day season and preparing ourselves for renewal. Participants will get a chance to select numerous sessions including:

Text Study.Acupuncture.Sound bath. Meditation. Yoga

Full Schedule:

9:00 am: Opening Gathering

Option #1: Adas Daily Minyan
Option #2: Awaken: A Morning Practice of Breath, Song, and Spirit with Sarah Waxman (At The Well)
Start your day with an embodied experience that weaves breath, song, and spiritual connection. This 45-minute session (9:00–9:45 am) awakens body and mind while grounding you in intention for the day ahead.

9:45 am: Breakfast & Rabbis’ Discussion on Theme
“P’tach Lanu Sha’ar-Opening Up: Moving through spiritual and emotional blocks in the Teshuvah Process

Join Rabbis Krinsky and Yolkut for an interactive conversation over breakfast.

10:30–11:15 am: Breakout Sessions #1

Option #1: Text Learning – Rabbi Jeremy Markiz
Not-Knowing Is Sacred: Emunah and Uncertainty
Elul invites us to return—but where are we returning to? In times of instability, what does it mean to walk a Jewish path with presence and integrity? Explore what emunah (faith/trust) can teach us about staying grounded.

Option #2: Embodied Practice – Dr. Devorah Walder (Gewirz)
Preparing the Body and Spirit for Renewal
Join Dr. Devorah Walder for a grounding, heart-centered journey through the lens of Late Summer from an acupuncture perspective and the Jewish month of Elul—a sacred season of reflection, harvest, and return. Blending seasonal correspondences with simple, accessible breathwork, gentle movement, and spiritual insight, this class offers practical tools to harmonize body, heart, and mind as we prepare for a new year. No prior experience needed—just bring an open heart and a willingness to listen inward.

11:15 am – 12:00 pm: Breakout Sessions #2

Option #1: Text Learning – Artists’ Beit Midrash (with Rabbi Sarah Krinsky & Rabbi Anina Dassa)
Join Rabbi Anina Dassa for an Artist Beit Midrash experience, where we’ll delve into the themes of Elul through a unique blend of text study and creative expression. Rooted in our tradition’s spirit of creativity, this session will invite you to go beyond the conventional Beit Midrash by engaging with art as a pathway to deeper understanding. No prior art experience is needed—this is about exploration and reflection, not perfection. Bring your curiosity and an open heart—let’s learn, reflect, and create together!

Option #2: Embodied Practice – Sound Bath (Gewirz)
Sacred Sounds – Bronwyn Clark
Bronwyn Clark of DC Acupuncture will offer an introduction to the uses of Sound Therapy, followed by a Crystal Bowl Sound Bath utilizing 7 distinct notes, representing energetic centers of the body. Participants are invited to recline on a yoga mat, meditate, breathe, and feel nourished. One acupuncture point will be offered to participants, to deepen their state of presence and awareness.

12:00 pm: To Yearn & Return: Elul Song & Study with Eliana Light

In Elul, we are invited to connect and reflect, yearn and return, and open ourselves to the possibility of transformation. What do our sacred songs tell us about this time, and what might shine through when we hold our heritage to the light? In preparation for the days of awe, (and her participatory concert later this afternoon,) we’ll take a heart-opening dive into the texts of the season and Eliana’s original melodies. And of course, we’ll sing!

1:00 pm: Lunch & Schmooze

1:45 pm: Breakout Sessions #3

Option #1: Embodied Practice – Meditation
Creating Space for Forgiveness – Tobie Whitman
The work of forgiveness grows through embodied presence, patient repetition and discomfort tolerance. Using the RAIN practice (Recognize, Allow, Investigate and Nurture) we will identify areas of blockage that constrict our ability to live and love more freely.

Option #2: Art Workshop
Pressed Flower Lanterns: A Take-Home for Elul – Darci Lewis
Through hands-on experience, we will create lanterns, symbolizing renewal and connection to the season.  Each lantern brings an opportunity to light a candle with a bracha, elevate  zichronot, and connect with the colors and hews of the Fall.

Option #3: Immersion as Sacred Renwal - With Mickie Simon and Rabbi Yolkut
Join Rabbi Yolkut and Mickie Simon to explore both the historical significance of Mikvah and ritual immersion and the innovative spirit of its current uses. Have a brief tour of the Mikvah space, engage in interactive discussions about different ritual uses and learn about many different reasons one can use this sacred ritual tool!

2:30 pm: Breakout Sessions #4

Option #1: A Heart of Many Rooms
Facilitated sacred space for reflection on the day and its themes. This session will offer several modalities for individual introspection - journaling prompts, peaceful music, self-guided meditation, and text sheets for self-directed study or chevruta.

Option #2: Art Workshop – Rachel Farbiarz "Greeting the New Year"
Sending paper greetings and cards in advance of the Jewish New Year is an old and rich tradition, one that is sadly atrophying in our digital world. In this session, we will explore traditional Rosh Hashanah paper crafts, as well as create mini works of card-art to send to ourselves and loved ones. To make our cards, we will be learning and experimenting with another traditional Jewish art form--paper-cutting! Please Note: We will be using precision knives (provided) in our work.

3:15 pm – Snacks & Schmooze

4:00 pm – Closing Concert in the Gewirz Beit Am

Eliana Light and Band
A participatory, musical conclusion to the day.

Session Leaders

Sarah Waxman: Founder and CEO of At The Well, blending holistic medicine, mindfulness, and Jewish spiritual connection.
 

Bronwyn Clark

Rabbi Jeremy Markiz: Teacher and consultant focused on Torah, personal growth, and values-driven leadership.
 

Rachel Farbiarz: DC-based artist and former civil rights attorney, known for her collage, drawing, and teaching.
 

Dr. Devorah Walder: Acupuncturist and wellness expert with 25+ years of experience in integrative women’s health.