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Rest to Return: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Judaism Unbound
Rest to Return, hosted by Keshira haLev Fife, explores the balance between ancient Shabbat practices and what is needed for us to feel well and whole in this time, making the case for the transformative power of rest, rooted in Jewish wisdom while expansive enough to meet the modern moment. By bridging traditional Sabbath wisdom with awareness of what each of us needs to thrive, we invite listeners to cultivate personal rest practices through contemporary application of Jewish thought interwoven with reflection, song, and embodied practice. This podcast offers Jewish spiritual guidance - from without and within - for navigating a turbulent world from a centered, rested place.
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- Jul 22, 202621 min
Episode 7: Woven Back Together Again
Rest to Return is a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We continue by gathering around a single question: Who do we become when we rest? Lecha Dodi is the song that ends Kabbalat Shabbat (the service that helps us transition into Shabbat) before we move into the Ma’ariv prayer service. The idea that Creator finished creation on the seventh day comes from Genesis 2:2. Tranquility, satisfaction, calm, and quiet being created on the seventh day comes from Genesis Rabbah 10:9. The idea of creating change that’s “slow, deep, and irreversible” comes from artist and activist Ricardo Levins Morales. I learned the mussar practice of clarifying our ratzon by asking “what do I want? What do I really want?” from Rabbi David Jaffe of Kirva. You can learn more in Chapter 1 of his book, Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change. This quote has been misattributed to Courtney Carver. It is instead referenced by Carver in her book, Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less and Live the Life You Actually You Want. The quotation itself comes from Psychologist Nicola Jane Hobbs who teaches, “Instead of asking, 'Have I worked hard enough to deserve rest?' ask, 'Have I rested enough to do my most loving, meaningful work?'” Enjoy the live version of Lay it Down, Let it Go here. Check out the Rest to Return webpage for photos, info about the Rest to Return retreat, and more! This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org, including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira and others on retreat this August: Returning Anew Learn more about Keshira's latest class at IJS on Mindful Speech as a Spiritual Practice Learn more about Shevet, IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s) IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity Sits for Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. <a href="https://www.jewishspirituality.org/get-
- Jul 15, 202623 min
Episode 6: Making Time Sacred
Rest to Return is a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We continue by gathering around a single question: What makes time sacred? The concept that each of us is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the Divine Image, comes from Genesis 1:27. The first person who I heard crystalise the idea that we need to reach REM sleep in order to dream was Rev Dr Tony Lim, during a gathering of Spiritual Innovators at the Fetzer Institute. The idea that dreaming is one-sixtieth of prophecy comes from Berakhot 57b. The concept of the Jubilee can be found in Leviticus 25:8-16. I first learned about Soli-lunar time from Seasons of our Joy: A Modern Guide to the Jewish Holidays by Reb Arthur Waskow z”l. Geoffrey Chaucer was a writer and poet who lived in the 1300s; he was best known for having written The Canterbury Tales. I learned “Who Make the Future?” at Let My People Sing; the song is by Abigail Bengson of the Bengsons. Enjoy the live version of Lay it Down, Let it Go here. Check out the Rest to Return webpage for photos, info about the Rest to Return retreat, and more! This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org, including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira and others on retreat this August: Returning Anew Learn more about Shevet, IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s) IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity Sits for Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information. Join our mailing list to be notified about our upcoming fall courses, including Keshira's Earth, Moon, Mindfulness year-long class.
- Jul 8, 202626 min
Episode 5: A Season for Everything
Rest to Return is a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We continue by gathering around a single question: What is sacred time? The names victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life building, whose memories are always close to my heart are: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax and Irving Younger. May their memories be for a blessing always. Mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha comes from the Talmud (Ta’anit 29a:18). I first learned about the cycles of the moon from Jane Hardwicke Collings at the School of Shamanic Womancraft. This quote comes from Ahad Ha’am (Asher Ginsburg)’s Yalkut Katan (meaning “Small Collection”) which was published in the journal Hashiloaḥ, in 1898. Lex Rofeberg is co-founder of Judaism Unbound! This quote is found in Courtney Carver’s book Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want; she is quoting writer and psychologist Nicola Jane Hobbs who originally asked the question. The concept of the shmitta cycle originates in Exodus 23:10-11, Leviticus 25:2-7, and Deuteronomy 15:1-3. God breathing life into Adam’s nostrils comes from Genesis 2:7. Enjoy the live version of Lay it Down, Let it Go here. Check out the Rest to Return webpage for photos, info about the Rest to Return retreat, and more! If Rest to Return has evoked something in you, if these episodes have helped you slow down, breathe a little deeper, or reconnect with what matters most, you might be interested in Rest to Return: A High Holiday Deceleration Retreat, which I'll be co-hosting this September. Nestled amidst New England beauty, 25 Jewish leaders - some Jewish professionals, some people who are Jewish and leaders - will gather for a retreat centered around rest as a form of teshuvah, returning to ourselves. Through creativity, reflection, and connection, we'll immerse in slowness and spaciousness as a way to prepare ourselves for 5787. If you're a Jewish leader and you've been longing for something like this, check out www.keshirahalev.com/sacredpause to learn more and express interest before July 10. This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org, including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira and others on retreat this August: Return
- Jul 2, 20261 min
ANNOUNCEMENT - Rest to Return Retreat
If Rest to Return has evoked something in you, if these episodes have helped you slow down, breathe a little deeper, or reconnect with what matters most, you might be interested in Rest to Return: A High Holiday Deceleration Retreat, which I'll be co-hosting this September. Nestled amidst New England beauty, 25 Jewish leaders - some Jewish professionals, some people who are Jewish and leaders - will gather for a retreat centered around rest as a form of teshuvah, returning to ourselves. Through creativity, reflection, and connection, we'll immerse in slowness and spaciousness as a way to prepare ourselves for 5787. If you're a Jewish leader and you've been longing for something like this, check out www.keshirahalev.com/sacredpause to learn more and express interest before July 10. I would love for you to join us!
- Jul 1, 202623 min
Episode 4: Couplet Rhymes
Rest to Return is a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We continue by gathering around a single question: Where do we find permission to rest? Here is the Rauh Jewish Archives entry about Congregation Torath Chaim. You can learn more about the Torath Chaim Cemetery here (23:12-25:10). The concept of b’tzelem Elohim comes from Genesis 1:27. You can learn more about Kohenet Jo Kent Katz and her work here. You can learn more about Kohenet Jo’s work with Transcending Jewish Trauma here. Abraham Joshua Heschel calls Shabbat “a sanctuary in time” in his book, The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man. You can learn more about Octavia Raheem and her work here. The quote that I refer to in this podcast comes from her podcast, Leaders Devoted to Rest. Enjoy the live version of Lay it Down, Let it Go here. Check out the Rest to Return webpage for photos, info about the Rest to Return retreat, and more! This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org, including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira and others on retreat this August: Returning Anew Learn more about Shevet, IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s) IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity Sits for Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information. Join our mailing list to be notified about our upcoming fall courses, including Keshira's Earth, Moon, Mindfulness year-long class.
- Jun 24, 202629 min
Episode 3: Rhythm of Rest
Rest to Return is a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We continue by gathering around a single question: How do we know when to work and when to rest? I learned about spiralinear time from Kohenet Sara Esther Richards who wrote her Masters Thesis, Spiralinear Time: Religious Calendar Formation, Momentum, and Change within a Dynamic Time Structure, on the topic. We learn about the shmitta in Exodus 23:10-11 Here is a photo of us at the beginning of our first shmitta year; this was taken in Kyoto, Japan in January 2009. The Jonathan Sacks quote, “Shabbat is the day we stand still and let all our blessings catch up with us.” comes from his book, Radical Then, Radical Now. The words to Lecha Dodi by Shlomo Alkabetz can be found here. “Shamor” (keep/guard) and “zachor” (remember) are in verse 2. The 39 melachot can be found in the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2). If you want to find out whose land you’re on, https://native-land.ca/ is an excellent resource. You can find out how the moon is cycling in your particular location here. Check out the Rest to Return webpage for photos, info about the Rest to Return retreat, and more! This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org, including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira and others on retreat this August: Returning Anew Learn more about Shevet, IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s) IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity Sits for Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information. Join our mailing list to be notified about our upcoming fall courses, including Keshira's Earth, Moon, Mindfulness year-long class.
- Jun 17, 202626 min
Episode 2: Weaving the World to Come
Rest to Return, a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We continue by gathering around a single question: What is my sacred purpose? You can find more info about Tzedek Lab here. Settled back into his room, my dad was a bit frail…but he could still kiss us and us that he loved us! The list of 39 melachot can be found here. Olam haBah is often translated as “the world to come” and is used in reference to the afterlife. In this context, I’m using it to describe “the world as it could be” which includes dignity, equity, and liberation. The idea that each person is a letter in the Torah is rooted in Megaleh Amukot (Va'etchanan 186:1). I learned about the concept of “ratzon” from my teacher, colleague, and friend David Jaffe, Founder and Executive Director of Kirva. Rabbi Tarfon’s quote comes from Pirkei Avot 2:16. One source for Rabbi Simcha Bunim’s teaching is Tales of The Hasidim Later Masters by Martin Buber. The Mary Oliver line comes from her poem, entitled “The Summer Day”. This quote has been misattributed to Courtney Carver. It is instead referenced by Carver in her book, Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less and Live the Life You Actually You Want. The quotation itself comes from Psychologist Nicola Jane Hobbs who teaches, “Instead of asking, 'Have I worked hard enough to deserve rest?' ask, 'Have I rested enough to do my most loving, meaningful work?'"” The practice in this episode was inspired by a practice that I learned from Rabbi David Jaffe, Founder of Kirva, and it is one that I’ve enjoyed practicing with each Cohort of “Dismantling Racism from the Inside Out” that I have the privilege of co-facilitating for People of Colour, alongside Yehudah Webster. The next cohort begins in Fall 2026 and you can find more info here. This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org, including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira on retreat this August: Returning Anew Learn more about Keshira's latest class at IJS on Mindful Speech as a Spiritual Practice Learn more about Shevet, IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s) IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity
- Jun 10, 202628 min
Episode 1: Belonging to Time
Rest to Return, a podcast for a restless world. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is your host. This series is rooted in Shabbat, an ancient Jewish practice that teaches us how to belong to time. Here, rest is a sacred rhythm woven into who we are. We begin by gathering around a single question: What do we need in order to sustain our sacred purpose? I received Kohenet smicha from The Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute in July 2017. The chorus of voices affirming that I am a Kohenet was recorded during the ceremony. The Torah reference about ceasing from work comes from Breishit 2:2. My understanding of Jewish people as “people of the book, body, and earth” has been informed by a number of sources and teachers; notable among them is Rav Kohenet Taya Mâ. Though I have come to understand that many somatic therapists and practitioners have written about the way that trauma can cause people to dissociate from their bodies, I learned it from a variety of sources and forums, none of which credited a source. The Kabbalistic concept of the Four Worlds is outlined in greater depth here. Octavia Raheem is an embodied practitioner and author who you can learn more about here. Asher Yatzar by Dan Nichols Helen Marie is a psychotherapist who you can learn more about here. The story of Reb Zusha is paraphrased from Martin Buber's Tales of the Hasidim. I learned the concept of makom kavuah (our fixed place) from Rabbi David Jaffe, Founder of Kirva, during a session about the Mussar concept of anavah (being right-sized). This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rest to Return exists because we believe slowing down is a spiritual act. IJS believes that too. For over two decades, IJS has been helping people go deeper, through Jewish mindfulness meditation, contemplative prayer, sacred text study, and embodied practice. Their offerings range from online courses and silent retreats to immersive cohort programs for seekers of all experience levels, clergy, and spiritual leaders who are ready to live and lead from a more grounded place. Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife is part of IJS’s core faculty, and the wisdom you'll hear in this series is very much in that spirit. If this podcast is stirring something in you, IJS is a place to go further. Explore their programs, and more ways to learn and practice with Keshira, at jewishspirituality.org, including: View the latest offerings from IJS in our program catalog Join Keshira on retreat this August: Returning Anew Learn more about Keshira's latest class at IJS on Mindful Speech as a Spiritual Practice Learn more about Shevet, IJS's community for younger adults (20s-30s) IJS has several online free practices with Keshira and our other faculty including our live Daily Sit, our weekly Shevet Sit for younger adults (under 40), and monthly Affinity Sits for Jews of Color, LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information. <a href="https://www.jewishspirituality.org/ijs-newsl
About Rest to Return
Rest to Return, hosted by Keshira haLev Fife, explores the balance between ancient Shabbat practices and what is needed for us to feel well and whole in this time, making the case for the transformative power of rest, rooted in Jewish wisdom while expansive enough to meet the modern moment. By bridging traditional Sabbath wisdom with awareness of what each of us needs to thrive, we invite listeners to cultivate personal rest practices through contemporary application of Jewish thought interwoven with reflection, song, and embodied practice. This podcast offers Jewish spiritual guidance - from without and within - for navigating a turbulent world from a centered, rested place.
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