Spirit at Sea 3-day Weekend Retreat
April 20 - 23, 2007

As Seen by Anne Goldberg, Marcia Sweedler, Adam Atkin

Kabbalah Cruise  

April 20-23, 2007 launched an amazing adventure on the high seas.  Here's what Anne Goldberg, Marcia Sweedler and Adam Atkin wrote about the cruise.  You'll definitely want to schedule this one next year!


Links to photos:
From Bob & Fleur, Rick, Anne, Amichai (plus Passover Seder pix)


Spirit at Sea, Majesty of the Seas
(by Anne Goldberg)

We were giddy with excitement as we boarded the bus to the Port of Miami. We knew Rabbi Marc had worked very hard on the program, and we were like kids waiting to see what gifts we would return home with. He certainly did not disappoint!

We were led through a series of discussions and exercises designed to help us move from “Surviving Life to Living Life,” the theme of our Spirit at Sea Cruise of April 20 – 23rd. Each activity helped us open our hearts to ourselves and to the group, as we stood in holy unity with each other. And open we did! We talked, explored, laughed, cried and loved one another with complete abandon while our Rabbi gently and lovingly led us into our sacred center.

Rabbi Marc has a way of touching sweet, simple truths with wisdom, humor and relevance. Each day we were drawn deeper into discovering ourselves. As the huge ship rocked us all with the same gentle motion, it seemed the perfect accompaniment to the romance we entered into with our souls.

The events culminated Sunday evening as we prepared to move into living life larger and don the attributes – the garments – of our divine nature. Rabbis Marc, Phillip and Shoni were the holy lights in this spiritual grand finale, guiding us to the truth of who we are and providing a means for us to embrace this, each in our unique way. With the subtle tones of sweet music filling the air, each of us came forward to announce what we chose to embrace and create for ourselves – joy, passion, love, creativity, kindness and more. And as we uttered these sacred words, we were lovingly wrapped in a glistening white tallis. I was privileged to act as photographer and feel so lucky to have captured some of the most reverent moments of that evening. (Please take a minute to look through our photo journal.)

Those of us fortunate enough to have embarked on this journey were forever changed in sweet and different ways. Not only was our faith deepened by this holy weekend at sea, friendships and bonds between us were deepened and tightened.  For me, the great gift was the realization that this TAO community has become the family I've longed for since my childhood. My warm, loving, close-knit group of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents & siblings has worn thin and much smaller from both death and life. I have missed that love and the feeling of safety that grows from it and the close relationships I had, and I am brimming with gratitude for feeling this again with my TAO family.

I love you all so very much. For others in our group, the gifts included new levels of self-awareness to bring into every day life; a feeling of being more deeply connected to the group, a deeper appreciation of Rabbi Marc and a greater acceptance of others... we were stretched to a greater vision not only of ourselves but the world at large.

Lest you think all our pursuits were spiritual, I don't think we'll soon forget Sunday night in the disco and the vision of Sandy King stripped down to his BVD’s wearing Irene Yuvo’s shoes, carrying a purse, with a lipsticked mouth and my bra dangling off his muscular chest! Sandy, you are a great sport (with an impressive physique!), and we thank you for the belly laughs you brought us.

Kudos to Linda Weissman (who knew you could still do a perfect split?), Irene Yuvo, Joyce Finn and Rabbi Phil for their open minds and fun attitudes. Linda created a wonderful “get to know you” game of which Amichi was voted the “Best Player” at the end of the trip. And thanks would not be complete without mentioning Bob Heaton and just how much his music, generosity, fun and loving spirit add to TAO. Despite a miserable cold, Bob’s musical accompaniment was always there, always great and always deeply appreciated.

None of this would have happened though, were it not for Trudi who’s vision and tireless efforts netted us this remarkable and unforgettable weekend. I know I speak for the group when I say, “Thank you Trudi. You made this happen, and we appreciate it.”

The final thank you is reserved for Rabbi Marc who created this thought-provoking, divine theme and a beautiful program of activities to help us all feel and know truth. We are so grateful to you for your wisdom and sweet, kind and loving leadership and look forward to the journeys yet to be taken and discoveries to come.

L’Chaim!
Anne Goldberg


Dear Joan,
(by Marcia Sweedler)

The cruise was magnificent. . . on so many levels.

Where to begin? First, spirituality. Rabbi Marc led us through a Friday night service that established the theme. He told a holocaust story in which one person said to the other, "We will get through this. We will survive." to which he replied, "And then what?"

Our work through the weekend was to search for what comes beyond surviving and creates living.

During our Saturday morning service, we shared a talis with a partner. Then we sat across from each other in two long rows and asked the person opposite us a question that would help us understand them deeply. My question was: What brings you happiness, or what would bring you happiness? This was a version of speed dating! After a few minutes one row moved one down, and we repeated the activity with our new partner. What a connection we forged with each partner!

In the afternoon, we went to Coco Cay, the cruiseline's island.  Hanging from trees and bushes were bright colored papers with meaningful quotations. We each picked our quotations. . . some of us picked a bouquet of quotations!  We reflected silently as we each walked, sat, waded, etc. Then in groups of six we each took six minutes to talk about our quotation and what it meant to us. This was another deep and connection. 

The Saturday night Havdalah service included Bob Heaton's homage to the Beatles.  We all joined in.

I was not there but Sunday morning kabbalah yoga got raves. Rabbi Marc is apparently a master yoga teacher.

For the Sunday night closing, we each identified the quality we wanted to live for the future like compassion, openness, etc. In groups of four, we discussed our choice. Then one at a time, we repeated after Mark a phrase that embodied our intention, and Rabbis Phil and Shoni wrapped us in the talis and Rabbi Shoni touched our forehead. It was very solemn and loving. Each person's face shone with transformation. And there were hugs for each person as they walked away. What a beautiful, meaningful and hopeful conclusion.

I know I left out parts, but I think you get the general sense. I should also mention Bob's contribution, playing accompaniment for each service, dragging his equipment on the cruise. And he paid full price - this was strictly great generosity.

Next level was fellowship and connection. How beautiful to be on a cruise and wherever you go - to lunch, to the pool, etc. - there are your wonderful friends. We dined together as well.

After evening service, we partied! First we went to the performance and then to karaoke where we watched and danced. Not everyone, of course, but a solid group.

The last night we were on a team for a wild competition. I will say no more, other than that if you want to be on a winning team, make sure you have Irene, Linda W. and Sandy, who is a new man in the congregation, and you can't lose! And you can picture Rabbi Philip entering the competition and skipping in a circle around the room. Supposedly demure Ethelind ran up to show her body piercing (ears) and her false teeth (crowns) and her tattoo (eyebrows). I told you we interacted on many levels!! 

Paulina could not be there because she is due very soon, and Galia was home with her mother.

If we do it again next year, and I can't imagine we wouldn't, you must come.

Love,
Marcia


Family Rising and Shining!  
(by Adam Atkin)

I’ve just been lifted by weekend cruising
Into the Labowitz-family’s life-time work—their     
Work of teaching us (through TAO) to rise now, 
So we shine out sweetly in this moment when 
We are each hearing all our own inner melodies 
Sing!  So please accept my great gratitude for
How you devote such sustained, loving 
Attention to raising us together…   

(Yet:  Dearest Paulina—we did miss you!
Hoped your not being with us was not serious—  
So we’ll soon again see and hear your
Uniquely joyful, beaming beauty!)  Taken together, though, you Labowitzes are the most beautiful,
All-serving, omni-Inspirational family I have ever known! 
Yes—you raise our TAO family-community
toward shining intimate Interconnection.
As your words and songs excite our
Innermost parts and join separated souls 
Into dance-line swinging all-together—we
Melt into joyfulness feeling one and high! 
So that’s why I now do this little dance 
Of appreciation, to thank you for your work. You three—together with us your larger family—

Show how a world of peace and harmony 
May someway come to pass.  (Though 
Maybe only after many lifetimes.)
You teach how we may all move into that 
All-unifying way toward knowing not only
Our selves but simultaneously each other—to then  
Be giving and taking beautiful flows of feeling.  Getting wrapped in prayer by you has
Lifted my soul—those moments revealed
The garment of my inner longing that
All could then see shining out!