

Embodied Judaism
Jessie Gerzon
I was raised totally secular, but after a Crohn’s diagnosis and an invitation for deep, full-body & soul healing, I turned to plant medicine… & found my way to a more observant Jewish life. One that only works because it’s fully authentic.
Now, so much of how I experience life is Jewishly rooted—and it's through the lens of the healing world I came from. My wedding and weekly Shabbat is as powerful and transformative as my experiences with ayahuasca & peyote. Ritual isn’t just tradition—it’s somatic, transformative, alive.
🎧 Tune in & experience Jewish wisdom, as ceremony, as healing.
Now, so much of how I experience life is Jewishly rooted—and it's through the lens of the healing world I came from. My wedding and weekly Shabbat is as powerful and transformative as my experiences with ayahuasca & peyote. Ritual isn’t just tradition—it’s somatic, transformative, alive.
🎧 Tune in & experience Jewish wisdom, as ceremony, as healing.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 1, 2025 • 58min
Ep. 19 Individual Soul Expression with Rabbi Peretz
Rabbi Peretz, a unique spiritual guide with over 20 years of experience, opens up about the mind-body connection and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity within non-dogmatic Judaism, balancing spiritual practices with daily life. The discussion touches on how music and movement can enhance one’s soul connection, alongside the transformative potential of Hasidic mysticism. Rabbi Peretz also shares insights on personal breakthroughs and the challenges of transitioning into fatherhood, exploring the emotional depth of parenthood.

Jun 28, 2025 • 1h 16min
Ep. 18 Parsha Korach: Humility, Ego, & Testing Boundaries
So grateful to have Ben Steinberger again on the podcast, this time we're back with a parsha episode. Let us know if you like these!In the spirit of embodying the discussion we had on this week’s Parsha, and appreciation to the members of this community, Ben would like to offer a free 2-hour coaching session to members of this community. No commitment. No gimmicks. Just an opportunity to explore something you could use support around. You can book a session directly here https://calendly.com/ben-keg/coaching-callIn the spirit of embodying the discussion we had on this week’s Parsha, and appreciation to the members of this community, Ben would like to offer a free 2-hour coaching session to members of this community. No commitment. No gimmicks. Just an opportunity to explore something you could use support around. You can book a session directly here https://calendly.com/ben-keg/coaching-call

Jun 13, 2025 • 1h 18min
Ep. 17 Courage, Emotional Responsibility, & Practical Spirituality with Idan Lumi
In this conversation, Jessie and Idan explore themes of personal growth, practical spirituality, and the courage that ends up leading to sometimes surprisingly significant life changes. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, the role of forgiveness in healing, and the necessity of genuine connections in relationships.Idan shares insights from his journey as a therapist and teacher, emphasizing the interconnectedness of personal experiences and spiritual growth. Together, they explore the themes of emotional regulation, availability, and the impact of personal choices on relationships and healing. The conversation also delves into the significance of dreams as reflections of healing and connection, and how our choices can have a ripple effect on those around us. Join us for a conversation on the power of emotional expression and the importance of being present and available in our relationships.Connect with Idan on instagramFree whatsapp dream groupBecause healing happens in presence, through relationship, and with the courage to feel. To join Idan's 6 week upcoming course The Capacity to Feel, sign up here.To reach out to Idan direct- say hi, ask questions about the course, or to inquire directly for 1:1 or couples work.. message him on Whatsapp: +972-549-45-0060About Idan Lumi:I’ve spent the past 15 years immersed in the worlds of therapy, counseling, and teaching, guiding individuals and groups through deep emotional and spiritual processes. Over time, I developed a unique method I call Practical Spirituality — an integrative approach that weaves together emotional intelligence, relational healing, and spiritual insight.My work centers on real conversations about what it means to feel, to connect, and to be human. I speak with people about emotions, relationships, Judaism, and the often-unspoken spaces in between. I’m especially interested in the meeting point between ancient wisdom and contemporary psychology — where the soul’s longing meets the practical tools for living a grounded, authentic life.

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 41min
Ep. 16 Navigating Power Dynamics & Personal Experience in Community & Religion with Ben Steinberger
Jessie and Ben come together again (listen to Ep. 6 here if you missed it for their first conversation) to discuss their recent podcast recording and share personal experiences related to religious practices and trauma healing. They explore the concept of divine union, the importance of community and trust in leaders, and the balance between religious observance and personal spiritual experiences. The conversation also touches on the need for self-awareness and agency in choosing one's relationship with the divine, and the importance of questioning and engaging with religious teachings.About Ben:Ben is a seeker who’s had the great privilege of exploring several of the worlds most ancient wisdom traditions/lineages alongside his own namely Hasidic and kabbalistic traditions and is in deep awe and reverence of the brilliant lessons transmitted through millennia. He is passionate about human life, dignity, and sovereignty who relishes the opportunity to walk alongside other seekers on their journey whether as a coach, friend, or study partner. After inheriting more than his fair share of generational trauma from his holocaust survivor grandparents and experiencing his own trauma, he was forced to confront this during the pandemic. Drawing on lessons from survivors like Viktor Frenkl and Edith Eger he began the work in earnest. The healing journey started as a physical health and wellness journey and discovering, while losing 100lbs, that childhood trauma which was contributing to disordered eating underneath his weight issue which led him to somatic work, polyvagal theory and all things nervous system regulation. While on his health and healing journey, Ben was providing legal services and helping to build tech startups where he focused on organizational architecture, team and culture building, and optimizing human performance in chaos. Ben can be found at @hasidichealing on instagram, (send a DM and say hi) and at https://cupolatransformation.crd.co & https://cupolacognition.crd.co

Jun 5, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 15 Sound as Prayer: Orka Teppler on Medicine Music, Belonging, & the Power of Hebrew
In this conversation, Jessie interviews Orka, a prominent figure in the medicine music scene, discussing her journey as a musician, her connection to Hebrew identity, and the transformative power of music in healing and peace. Orka shares her experiences of navigating her identity as an Israeli artist, the impact of significant events like October 7th, and her commitment to empowering voices through music. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, understanding, and the role of music in bridging cultural divides.Follow Orka on instagram to find out about her latest events, including concerts and vocal journeys.

May 26, 2025 • 1h 39min
Ep. 14 Rooting & Reclaiming: Honoring Tradition While Creating Your Own Path in Judaism with Rabbi Rishe Groner
Rabbi Rishe, from a Chabad background, shared her journey of embracing her Jewish identity and spiritual roots, emphasizing the importance of balancing traditional practices with personal experiences in Judaism. She discussed the challenges faced by Jewish women, the significance of creating meaningful rituals at home, and the need for accessible Jewish education for adults. The conversation also touched on the spiritual benefits of various practices, including water blessings and cacao ceremonies, and the importance of understanding and adapting Jewish traditions for personal growth and connection with the divine.Follow her on instagram here.

Apr 8, 2025 • 35min
Ep. 13 Passover (Pesach) Prep Pt. 2 with Nechama Schusterman
As always thank you Nechama Schusterman for your time in sharing your wisdom!

Apr 2, 2025 • 31min
Ep. 12 Passover (Pesach) Prep Pt. 1 with Nechama Schusterman
Thank you to Nechama Schusterman as always for such wonderful conversations. Nechama and I usually speak about the parsha, but as we both love Pesach, we decided to share a bit about prepping for the holiday.

Apr 1, 2025 • 59min
Ep. 11 The Birth Place with Ariela Sharon Yomtovian
Ariela Sharon is passionate about elevating the Feminine Energy of this world so that we can bring peace, love and moshiach. Ariela has been a Jewish Educator and Women's Health Advisor for the past 10 years. She is also an Herbalist, Bodyworker and Birth Keeper. She has studied at the Hadar Institute, The Eden Center, ArborVitae, Manzanita Wellness, and Birthing from Within. In addition to one-on-one learning services, she offers workshops that bring together the physiological with the spiritual on all things pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She is dedicated to rewilding womanhood and exploring how we can root in ancient Jewish wisdom while bringing in our own life experiences. She has taught in collaboration with Imeinu Doulas, Moishe House, The Jewish Studio Project, The School of Living Jewishly, At the Well, Hazon, Atiq and more. Ariela lives in Cleveland Ohio with her husband and 4 daughters.

Mar 28, 2025 • 49min
Ep. 10 The Radiant Body: Embodied Kabbalah, Feminine Expression & Mystical Judaism with Jenna Zadaka
In this powerful and poetic conversation, Jenna Zadaka shares the winding path of her spiritual journey—from discovering Kabbalistic meditation through Chabad in college to integrating yoga within her Jewish religious life. We explore her deep love for mystical Judaism, her reverence for Rosh Chodesh, and the ways women’s faith and leadership shine during the Pesach season. Jenna speaks to the embodied nature of healing, the importance of meeting bitterness with presence, and recounts a mystical encounter with the Arizal that continues to shape her relationship with the Divine. This episode is an invitation to reconnect with the wisdom of the body and the sacred cycles of Jewish time.Generously, Jenna is offering 15% off her course, The Radiant Body: Embodied Kabbalah Course, which begins April 9th. Use code EMBODIEDJUDAISM at checkout. Sign-ups close April 6th!BIO:Jenna Zadaka is an embodiment practitioner, trauma-informed somatic coach, educator in Jewish Mysticism and Mindfulness, author, and ceremonialist. She weaves spiritual, experiential, holistic, feminine, and earth-based wisdom into all of her offerings. Jenna believes in the power of each person’s inner-directed healing and trusts that the Divine Body allows us to discover the Source of Life through our flesh, reconnecting to our inherent joyous nature. She uses the pathways of somatics, spirituality and creative visualization for healing. A pillar of her approach to wellness includes receiving support from both our visible and invisible guides. As a celebrated teacher of Kabbalah, Yoga, and Mindfulness, Jenna humbly draws wisdom from her root-teachers and ancestors. Connect with her embodied teachings on Instagram @breathandsoul_Jenna and through her website, awethenticroots.com.