What does it really mean to give yourself the gift of a retreat?
Retreating means to step away and take the time needed to become rejuvenated, and to replenish your tired bodies and overworked minds.
In a serene setting in Monroe, NY is a private, self-contained house where your needs for safety, comfort, and pleasure will be honored.
We invite you to swim in the heated pool, dip in the jacuzzi, take a gentle or strenuous hike in the foothills of the Catskills mountains, stretch into welcoming yoga poses, feed your soul with deep words of Torah, get creative with one of our art sessions, and relish time to share and bond with other women, expanding and strengthening your community.
We also offer you Soulstir to release tension, trauma, and stress, and come together with other women to celebrate and dance!
Just say yes, without worry or deliberation, to doing something for your emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
You will most certainly return home with new, vital energy, to be savored and shared.
““This retreat is a hugely kept secret! The yoga with Shelly is transformational, taking us upward and inward way further than we might be able to go ourselves.
Elissa is so clear and full of information that can reshape and connect the way you see things. Free time allowed me to not be rushed and catch up with myself. ”
This year’s itinerary will be posted soon.
““Elissa has a vast knowledge base and is an amazing storyteller. She is so in the moment and inspirational. Shelly is a great, gentle and empathic listener. It was powerful, spiritual, deep and connecting.”
Payment
A non-refundable deposit of $180 is due by May 5th. Full payment is due by June 2, 2024.
Payment options (note: please do not pay using PayPal since they charge an extra fee):
Mail check to Kelly McKenna
435 Serpentine Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15243Checks made out to:
Kelly McKenna (who will then deposit in Shelly’s account)Venmo: @Kelly-McKenna-81093
Zelle: Kelly McKenna
412-889-4165Again, the final payment is due no later than May 16th.
We look forward to spending this time with you.
Shelly and Elissa
Shelly
Shelly Dembe inspires others toward optimum physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Her book, Wrestling with Yoga, Journey of a Jewish Soul, helps others navigate the controversial elements of yoga while maintaining a physical practice that is safe for the Jewish soul.
With over 40 years of life and professional experience as a Registered Nurse and health coach, Dembe inspires and entertains with her honest story of journey out of ashrams and into life as an evolving Jew.
Shelly travels worldwide to communities as the founder and facilitator of Soulstir, a form of movement that awakens the soul. Based on the Kabbalistic sefirot, this dance form welcomes all women into the circle of dance, creating community, joy and well being.
She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, children and many grandchildren. She is all about joy, growth, getting out of her box and away from labels, and embracing others.
Elissa
Elissa is the Founding Director of Core Connects, RI, a non-profit organization that aims to deepen women’s connections to one another, to Jewish wisdom and Jewish values.
Elissa grew up in London, England. After the death of her first child, Elissa started to explore Judaism in much greater depth. In her quest to understand the loss of her baby, she explored Jewish sources in general and more specifically regarding death and the afterlife.
Elissa is the Coordinator of all of Core’s communities of practice, and started and actively manages the community of practice for women engaged with traditional Chevra Kadisha.
Her personal memoir of loss and grief with the Jewish teaching about life, death and the afterlife is woven into her soon to be launched book, “Life After Life, The Sacred Passage After Death,” published with Mosaica Press.
Elissa is passionate about bringing Jews together and celebrating the commonalities rather than differences. Though all of these experiences, Elissa mentors and encourages others.