Nadya's Story

The defining years of my childhood were spent opening to the Divine Mysteries of this world and the Source behind those mysteries, under the sheltering guidance of my paternal grandmother, “Savta” Rivka Davidson. So much was transmitted non-verbally, while there were also direct teachings and indirect modeling of BEing and behavior.

One thing I knew clearly – these teachings were SECRET. I guarded the secret, even when what I knew and who I was, as a result, kept me isolated from my friends – and later, my truest friend and soul mate.

After my Savta’s death in 1993, and the subsequent birth of our daughter, Rivka – who bears her name – the urgings that seemed to be coming from Beyond, to keep the channels of transmission open and flowing, confused me. How was I supposed to share SECRETS? And, with whom? My last visit to Israel, in 2002, and the last time I saw my Saba (grandfather, Rivka’s husband), helped me to finally know what I had begun to suspect:

The teachings, themselves, are not SECRET – they belong to the Universe. The secret was that she was transmitting to me.  She saw in the young child, that I was, an openness and vulnerability that she wanted to protect with the power of understanding and meaning.

Now it is time to directly transmit to others this foundation of meaning and process of transmission that may very well be ONE path to Tikkun.

And so, I invite you – women and men - to consider embarking on this journey of re-discovery with me, and to contribute to the Process.

My dear friend, Rabbi Ruth Gan Kagan, gave this process a name some years ago:

SECRETS MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME

With the help and urging of my rebbe, Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, a form was added: A “wisdom school” of sorts.

My chevre, the Advisory Board of Ruach Ha’Aretz, gave this school a home; and my soul-mate, Reb Victor, agreed to participate and co-create the next steps.

With deep humility, I launched the work I’d been meant to do for a long time, in May of 2007. The first gathering of “grandchildren” ripened over two years of learning and being together, and will continue to remain in conscious relationship with one another and this work – entering into a voluntary “third year” of the program. They have added much to the awareness that I offer you in this second round of:

Secrets My Grandmother Told Me: a wisdom school

(A two-year program offered by Ruach Ha’Aretz,
a Project of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal)

For more information, or to apply for acceptance to the program, please contact me at info@ruachhaaretz.com

For information about upcoming programs, and to register.