- Course: Critical Perspectives on Knowledge Production in Psychedelic Science 2025 - November 20, 2024
- Indigenous Shamanic Knowledge Systems, Art and Creative Processes - November 14, 2024
- Course: Diversity, Culture and Social Justice in Psychedelics 2025 - November 7, 2024
Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 from 12-1:30pm PST
There is growing enthusiasm in Jewish communities about possible ancient use and modern applications of plant medicine in Jewish spiritual development. Psychedelic Judaism introduce new potential modes of healing from intergenerational and personal trauma, consciousness exploration, and sacred reciprocity? What do Jewish communities and individuals need to learn from cultures with indigenous plant medicine use, and what can Judaism offer the psychedelic community?
Please join us for a conversation with Rabbis Zac Kamenetz and Ami Silver of Shefa: Jewish Psychedelic Support moderated by Adriana Kertzer, Partner at Plant Medicine Law Group and founder of Faith+Psychedelics. Hosted by Chacruna.
Zac Kamenetz is a rabbi, community leader, and aspiring psychedelic-assured therapist based in Berkeley, CA. He holds an MA in Biblical literature and languages from UC Berkeley and the Graduate Theological Union and received rabbinic ordination in 2012. A sought-after educator and qualified MBSR instructor, Zac’s work has been centered on seeking answers to life’s essential questions within the Jewish tradition and embodied spiritual practice. As the founder and CEO of Shefa, as well as a co-founder of the Jewish Psychedelic Summit, Zac is pioneering a movement to integrate safe and supported psychedelic use into the Jewish spiritual tradition, advocate for individuals and communities to heal individual and inherited trauma and inspire a Jewish religious and creative renaissance in the 21st century.
Ami Silver is a rabbi and psychotherapist based in Jerusalem. He holds a master’s degree in clinical social work and integrates psychodynamic, somatic and experiential therapy approaches in his private practice. Ami’s teaching focuses on the interface between Jewish text, practice and personal transformation, and he leads groups in experiential exploration of Jewish spiritual traditions, teachings and practices. As Shefa’s lead research scholar, Ami works to unearth Jewish texts and practices that offer frameworks for direct spiritual experience, providing culturally resonant support for exploring and integrating expanded states of consciousness. As a trauma-informed therapist, Ami is committed to the process of healing our individual, collective and inherited traumas. He is currently training in psychedelic assisted therapy under the guidance of the founders and head trainers of MAPS Israel.
Adriana Kertzer is a NY-based Texan-Brazilian lawyer and co-founder of Plant Medicine Law Group, a boutique psychedelics and cannabis law firm founded in 2020. She is on the board of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation and leads Faith+Psychedelics (a community for Jews, Christians and Muslims passionate about the potential role psychedelics can play in their own religions and exploring how psychedelics can benefit these existing religious traditions). She runs JewWhoTokes, an Instagram account that explores relationships with cannabis and psychedelics in the Jewish community.
This talk will be recorded and immediately available for rewatch for all attendees.
Do you love Chacruna? Want free entry to events, access to our online member community and exclusive events, free merchandise, and much more! Become a member!
Scholarships Available – apply here.
Take a minute to browse our stock:
Did you enjoy reading this article?
Please support Chacruna's work by donating to us. We are an independent organization and we offer free education and advocacy for psychedelic plant medicines. We are a team of dedicated volunteers!
Can you help Chacruna advance cultural understanding around these substances?
Become a Chacruna Member
To make a direct donation click the button below:
