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Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality

Tara Tayyabkhan

The Kohenet Training Intensive seeks to revitalize the connection between Judaism and the Divine Feminine by helping women reclaim the ancient role of the kohenet — the priestess or sacred servant who facilitates holy Jewish experiences. Kohenet trains women to exercise their spiritual power in a distinctly feminine way as the needs of Jews, women and the planet as a whole continue to emerge and evolve. Kohenet supports Jewish women on their journeys as individuals and as communal leaders. Participants study traditional texts — Torah, Talmud, Kabbalah and Near Eastern myths — in ways that call forth Shechinah, the indwelling feminine Presence. Kohenet trainees also explore practices that have been passed down by generations of Israelite and Jewish women, including birthing amulets, dreamwork and the celebration of women's holidays. Each of the four weeklong Kohenet retreats during the initial two-year training program is organized around thirteen netivot — paths that correspond to archetypes such as Wise Woman, Mother, Shamaness, Priestess, Prophetess, Midwife and Matriarch. By weaving these netivot throughout prayer, sacred chant and experiential learning, participants learn to create and lead powerful rituals.