For more information about this retreat and any questions, please write to rabbiseidel@gmail.com
rewilding [ˌriːˈwʌɪldɪŋ]
the process of restoring an area of land to its natural uncultivated state (used especially with reference to the reintroduction of species of wild animal that have been driven out or exterminated)
So, what is Rewilding the Soul?
The bear in the wild knows instinctively when to become angry, when to be at rest, when to observe in silence, when to hesitate and when to play. Only domesticated animals lose this faculty, and only to a degree.
Rewilding of humans isn't about our ideas of what being wild should look or sound like. It isn't about rebelling, transgression, anarchy or even losing our inhibitions. It is about putting the instinctive animal soul, born of the elements, back in us so that we too know how to act and respond instinctively without consulting a manual, or turning to some expert. Through deliberate intention and attention, immersion in nature, somatics, meditation and mysticism we can learn to do this. Perhaps we can learn to make fewer errors as human animals. Perhaps at the end of our lives leave the planet a little better than we found it.
Meet Your Retreat Leaders
Jennifer Ganya - Certified Yin Yoga Instructor and lay scholar of South East Asian Philosophy
Jennifer Ganya embraces the path of yoga in all its forms focusing particularly eastern Taoist yin somatic approaches and building on her previous background of traditional Indian hatha yoga practice.
Samkhya (classical yoga philosophy) remains for her the backbone of yogic thought and ethics while allowing for creative and innovative expressions of this ancient art form
Rabbi Jonathan Seidel PhD - Congregational Rabbi , Jewish educator, ritual leader, musician and author
Rabbi Seidel is an experienced University teacher of the history and comparison of religions (since 1982) a trained cantor, a kirtan facilitator, interfaith leader and environmental activist. He also runs on online academy of Jewish and Religious Studies.
About our special musical Guest Renee Benmeleh (joining us via Zoom for the hybrid portion of the retreat)
Renee Benmeleh- Multi-cultural World Music, Jazz and Improvisation vocalist, composer, drummer, community music facilitator, ritual singer
Renée Benmeleh is a multi-cultural World Music, Jazz and Improvisation vocalist, composer, drummer, community music facilitator, ritual singer, and the founder/teaching artist at Sound Nourishment, born in Venezuela from Mediterranean-Jewish ancestry. Bringing over 20 years of world music and vocal performance experience to her workshops and team-building events. She earned her B.A. in Vocal Performance from Mills College, where she studied with and was mentored by Faith Winthrop and Molly Holm, and later trained with celebrated soul-singer Ledisi at The Jazzschool. Her studies also include Afro-Brazilian and North African percussion with Bruce Silverman and Middle Eastern vocal technique with Rachel Valfer-Sills, alongside a Certification in Sound, Voice, and Music Healing from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), where she was mentored by Ancestral Sound Curator, Musician, and Curandero Tito La Rosa. For over 20 years, she has facilitated ritual through song in the Lakota-Sioux ceremonial tradition and the Jewish Renewal community. Learn more about Renee at https://www.sound-nourishment.com/
Pricing Options
*$150 for the day(approx 10am to 7pm PST) - includes meals and access to hybrid portion
*$36 for Zoom attendance only for the hybrid portion of the retreat (registration includes access to recorded portions)
*For a more immersive experience, subject to availability overnight stays can be accommodated during the weekend of our retreat. If you wish to reserve a room please contact the retreat owner Sofanya White at JewelOforest@gmail.com
*Notice: If you are a resident of Santa Cruz or Monterey Counties we are offering a 10% local discount for the Retreat making the final price for in person attendance $135
CANCELLATION POLICY
Refunds will be made in full for any registrant who cancels on or before Sunday September 27 2026.
REGARDING THE TIMBER FIRE
September 11 Update. Our Host and property owner of our retreat venue at Jewel of the Forest, Sofanya White will be opening the property up to visitors to exhibit her art as part of Monterey County Open Studios which occurs this weekend and next. It’s a great opportunity to get a look at the venue and meet Sofanya. Other businesses south in Big Sur that are not affected by road closures also continue remain open to visitors.
UPDATE! As of September 3 the Northern portion of HWY 1 in Big Sur is open and businesses in Big Sur such as Nepenthe Restaurant are resuming normal business operations. This and the change in weather on the California Central Coast is great news for the residents here, animal human, and our retreat venue Jewel n the Forest. In the coming weeks we will update this page as needed, so watch this space. Feel free to use our form at the bottom of this page to inquire about things Rewilding Retreat and to receive retreat updates including our soon to be published retreat day schedule to your inbox!
In the event that the Timber Fire in Big Sur (a few miles south of our retreat venue) affects access to the roads or the property is under evacuation warning as the date approaches the in person portion of the retreat will be cancelled and a full refund will be provided to all registered. As of this writing, Friday August 28, this is not the case- we are planning on holding our Oct 3 retreat as scheduled and are accepting reservations. We will update this page as necessary.
Note: The Zoom portion of our retreat including our musical guest performance is an afternoon program that will continue as scheduled regardless of the Timber fire status and you can continue register for Zoom only at the rate stated above. Fill out the form to receive details about the Zoom/hybrid schedule and updates.
Please fill out the following form to let us know that you are interested in receiving updates about this retreat or to let us know that you will be registering’ or if you have questions or have issues registering. You can also ask us questions about the details of the retreat here.
Accepted payment methods
*Paypal (use donate button above or paypal.me/orhagan) Please specify that this payment is for “Rewilding the Soul” when you make your digital payment
*Venmo - @Jonathan-Seidel. Please specify that this payment is for “Rewilding the Soul” when you make your digital payment
Personal Check- Please first send an email to rabbiseidel@gmail.com and indicate you would like to pay by personal check. Once you receive a confirmation email from Rabbi Seidel you may make your personal check out to “Or Hagan”. Please specify “Rewilding the Soul” in the note section of check and send it to: PO Box 5582 Eugene Oregon 97405
For questions regarding payments and details of the retreat please contact Rabbi Seidel rabbiseidel@gmail.com