Exodus as Exorcism: a Pesach Gathering for queer/trans Jews on an anti-zionist path
(and those who wish to practice liberation with us)
Thursday April 17th 3 PM - Sunday April 20th 3 PM
Sliding Scale Registration:
$180 - $720 ($540 recommended) for overnight guests
$100 - $720 ($360 recommended) for guests staying off-site
Registration CLOSES 4/9. Space is Limited! Register TODAY!
Join Elana-June Margolis & meital yaniv for a mystical, embodied exploration of Pesach as a potent portal for collective re-birth & the hospice of empire. Together, we will gather in the sweet embrace of beloved queer/ trans anti-Zionist Jewish community on the beautiful, rugged landscape of the Mariposa Institute, located on Northern Pomo land (colonially known as Ukiah, CA) to encounter what is required of us in our steadfast commitment to Palestinian liberation and the liberation of all beings everywhere (including us).
The center of our gathering will be a day-long outdoor seder working with the Exodus as Exorcism Haggadah for Divine Alchemy. This Haggadah (first channeled in 2010 by Elana-June & Ray) does not approach Passover as a celebration of Jewish freedom. Rather, it embraces the ancient mystical understanding of Passover as an exorcism - a yearly eviction of the demon of materialism (personified by the Pharaoh in the Passover story) from within our collective body. This effort of extraction is paired with the sweetness of sowing - as we exorcize the forces of empire, we fill the fertile space within with seeds of love-as-liberation. These actions, in right-balance, create the conditions for inner-freedom. That this ritualized exorcism is indicated as a yearly practice reveals the ancestral knowing that liberation is an active & ongoing process requiring life-long commitment. That the exorcism is collective in nature reveals the wisdom that we only get free when we get free together. That this internal work is tied to a story of external liberation reminds us that liberation is both an inside AND an outside job.
/\ritual theater/\fire prayer spirals/\collective writing/\communal grief-work/\song/\dance/\ prayer/\Kabbalistic practice/\somatic movement/\mikveh/\spiritual direct action training/\organizing skill share/\stars/\oaks/\moss/\blossoming apple trees/\community/\care/\
For more info, check out our Tentative Schedule!!!
This year, Mitzrayim (the narrow place) is REAL & the time is NOW for us to get free, knowing that we can only get free TOGETHER.
Join us! Our gathering will not be complete without YOU!
TACHLIS (RETREAT DETAILS)
WHO IS INVITED TO THIS GATHERING?
This gathering is led by and centered around queer/trans Jews on an anti-Zionist/ anti-fascist path. Anyone who wishes to practice, pray and play with us is welcome. Folks who are in an early stage of unlearning/ recovering from Zionism are welcome, as are folks who were never Zionist and those who identify as non-Zionist or anti-Zionist. We acknowledge that being anti-Zionist is a practice (rather than a fixed location); it is a life-long commitment to dismantling Zionism wherever we find it (including in ourselves) every day for the rest of our lives. Folks who do not identify as queer, trans or non-binary are welcome to join us as long as you understand that your experience will not be centered. If you are still wondering if you belong at this gathering, you may be comforted by knowing that we belong with each even (and perhaps especially) in our fear that we do not belong. If you are still wondering if you belong here, feel free to email Elana-June. XO
LODGING
Mariposa offers limited indoor sleeping options in dorm-style rooms and ample space for camping in tents. There is limited space for car camping for participants who rely on this option. Participants are also welcome to stay nearby & join us for programming!
MEALS
As part of our commitment to community care, all meals will be collectively prepared, served and cleaned up by participants under the loving guidance of our Kitchen Top, Willow. All efforts will be made to attend to the diversity of our food needs and preferences to ensure a nourishing, delightful digestive experience for all.
ACCESS INFORMATION:The Mariposa Institute is located on 115 acres of unceded Northern Pomo land, colonially known as Ukiah, CA. Our grounds are rugged. We are currently in the process of working towards increased accessibility.
MOBILITY ACCESS:All main retreat spaces are accessible by car, with a short walk on unpaved roads door to door. Some paths are grassy, some are dusty/rocky. Rides can be provided to/from spaces within the retreat center.
The insides of our main retreat spaces/bathrooms are currently accessible to community members who use walkers, canes & some scooters, as well as community members who walk without assistance. If you are a scooter user & are curious if this space could work for you, please reach out. We are eager to be in conversation with you.
ASL: ASL may be available for programming upon request. If you would benefit from ASL, please reach out! We are currently crowd-sourcing/ seeking grants for ASL and are eager to be in conversation with you.
COVID PRECAUTIONS:- We ask that all participants limit exposure to COVID-19 in the week leading up to the retreat by wearing a mask in public & avoiding crowded spaces whenever possible.
- If possible, please purchase and use Xlear Nasal Spray with Xylitol (or comparable alternative) & antimicrobial mouthwash daily in the week leading up to the retreat, as well as for the duration of the retreat. Both significantly reduce the risk of contracting (and thus spreading) COVID-19, as well as other viruses.
- All participants are required to take a molecular test (such as the ones provided by PlusLife/ Altruran) on the day the retreat begins BEFORE arrival. If you are unable to access a test & reader, please take a rapid test on the day of the retreat BEFORE arriving - we'll test you again as soon as you arrive.
- High quality air purifiers will be set up in the program spaces, kitchen & dorms.
- Our goal is to have as much programming outdoors as possible, weather permitting.
- Masking will be optional outdoors & required indoors whenever possible.
- We urge community members to make choices that feel most aligned & responsible for them and their interlocking needs.
SCENTSITIVIES:
We ask that all participants arrive to the retreat scent-free and do not use scented products for the duration of the retreat. If you have questions about this, you can read this fabulous Resource on being Fragrance Free from EBMC (East Bay Meditation Center)
MORE ABOUT THE FACILITATORS:
MEITAL YANIV (b. 1984, Tel-Aviv, occupied Palestine) is learning how to be in a human form. they do things with words, with moving and still images, with threads, with bodies in front of bodies, with the Earth. they are a death laborer tending to a prayer for the liberation of the land of Palestine and the lands of our bodies. they keep Fires and submerge themselves in Ocean and Sea Water often. yaniv is learning to listen to the Waters, birdsongs, caretakers, and ancestors as they walk as a guest on the home and gathering place of the Cahuilla-ʔívil̃uwenetem Meytémak, Tongva-Kizh Nation, Luiseño-Payómkawichum, and Serrano-Yuhaaviatam/Maarenga'yam. yaniv is the author of
bloodlines. they
make
offerings through
true name collective. ig:
@bloodlines_book
Elana-June Margolis (she/they/we) AKA
Kohenet Chalav u Dvash ba Tehomo (Priestexxx of Milk & Honey in the Gay Void) is a white, queer, femme, Ashkenazi, anti-Zionist Jewish mystic, teacher, artist & community organizer. Her life’s work is dedicated to liberating ancestral texts, technologies & tales in service of personal healing towards collective liberation. Elana June's teachings are rooted in abolitionism, feminism, anti-racism, queer/ trans theory & praxis, Zoharic Kabbalah, de-colonized Anthroposophy & earth-based Judaism.
Elana-June, meital and Ray are grateful to be supported by an incredible team including....
- Kitchen Top Extraordinaire: Willow Rosencunt & Kitchen Sha-Bottom Mimi!
- Apprentices: Vanessa Thill & Naomi Rose
Questions?Please email Elana.june.margolis@gmail.com
Ready to Register?
Wonderful! Please fill out the lengthy form below and press SUBMIT.
With deepest blessing,
Elana-June, in collaboration with meital & Ray.
