Judaism & the Psychedelic Renaissance: Calling Portland's Psychedelic Jews!

Judaism & the Psychedelic Renaissance: An Invitation to Portland’s “Psychedelic Jews”

As a co-organizer of the upcoming "Psychedelic Jewish event" in Portland, I’m often asked exactly what that means. Who—or what—is a psychedelic Jew? Journalist and author Michael Pollan? Pioneering (but near-forgotten) researcher Gertrude Paltin? Late Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia?

Jerry wasn’t actually Jewish, to the disappointment of the Dead’s many Jewish fans. But you shouldn’t let technicalities dissuade you from attending: Whether you’re observant, neutral, “Jewish-adjacent” or actively questioning your relationship to Judaism, I’m confident you’ll leave with inspiration, insights, and a newfound sense of connection with your community. With presentations on the deeply entwined roots of Judaism and psychedelics, this pivotal moment in Oregon’s “psychedelic awakening,” and the experience of ancestral and Jewish trauma, this conference—the first live event of its kind—is a must-attend happening.

Judaism & the Psychedelic Renaissance: A Live Event in Portland, OR

The question “what does it mean to be a psychedelic Jew?” is a provocative one. For some, it’s an invitation: An opportunity to reenergize—even reframe—one’s spiritual life around new orientations and perspectives. For others it’s a head-scratcher, an attempt to connect two things that, on their faces, don’t appear to be linked. Of course, as those who attend the event will learn, there’s evidence that psychedelics played a significant role in shaping some of the world’s great spiritual traditions, including Judaism.

For others still, the event is an invitation to enter into a dialogue with the hidden parts of their backstory. Can psychedelics inspire a reappraisal and reconnection with one’s Jewish roots? That was certainly the case for me, and it’s a process that’s still unfolding. As I’ve explored in my own writing, the experience of being raised by people so completely disconnected from—and so deeply uncomfortable with—their own heritage was jarring, a discordance that’s taken decades to come to grips with.

But even if my upbringing makes me the “least Jewish” of the three (100% Jewish) organizers of this program, there’s one thing I’m certain of. If you’ve any interest in:

• How psychedelics and Judaism intersect, deepen, and support one other

• How ancestral trauma can present in our lives and how we can engage with it

• What guided psychedelic therapy might look like, feel like, and sound like

• Oregon’s central role in the legal psychedelic renaissance

I can’t recommend this event enough. Gathering together some of the leading voices in the movement, this daylong event is designed to be a conversation, a chance to question and interact with our presenters. If you’re interested in learning how psychedelics are shaping our spiritual lives, our politics, and our self-care and wellness rituals, this event will not only inspire you, but provide you with tools to begin building your own psychedelic community. Here’s a little of what’s in store.

Calling Psychedelic Jews: (A Few of) Our Presenters

Our keynote speaker, Rabbi Zac Kamenetz, is arguably the leading current voice on the intersection of Judaism and psychedelics. A rabbi, community leader, and aspiring psychedelic-assisted chaplain based in Berkeley, CA, 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.

Madison Margolin—who’ll be appearing via Zoom—is a California/New York based journalist, focused on covering psychedelics, cannabis, and Jewish culture. She’s the co-founder of the Jewish Psychedelic Summit as well as co-founder of DoubleBlind Magazine, a print and digital publication covering psychedelics and all they intersect with, from policy and social equity to science and spirituality. Her work has also appeared in Rolling Stone, Playboy, Vice, Tablet, Ayin Press, High Times, and other outlets—including a podcast called Set & Setting on the Be Here Now Network.

Jon Dennis is a lawyer and activist in the psychedelics ecosystem and a consultant at the firm Psychedelics Now. He’s the co-host of Eyes on Oregon, a podcast by Psychedelics Today exploring the developments in Oregon’s regulated psilocybin landscape. He’s also the chief architect of the proposed regulatory framework for protecting religious and spiritual communities who operate under Oregon’s new psilocybin program.

Alyssa Gursky, MA, LPC-I, will be co-presenting on ancestral trauma with me. A queer, Jewish, art therapist based in Portland, Alyssa owns and operates Psychedelic Art Therapy, a local private practice centered around re-connecting humans with the healing capacity of creative practices, somatic awareness, and non-ordinary states of consciousness.

And me you already know, of course. I’ll be presenting along with Alyssa on ancestral trauma, using my experience researching and writing Fatherland as a basis. Needless to say, I’m incredibly excited to be sharing my work of the last few years and sparking conversations about the intersection of ancestral trauma, Judaism, and psychedelics.

Judaism & the Psychedelic Renaissance: Meet Portland Psychedelic Guides

In addition, we’ll be welcoming a panel of Portland-based psychedelic guides, and hosting breakout sessions to explore such topics as:

• Models of Expanded Consciousness in Kabbalah and Hasidut

• Psychedelics, Mindfulness and Mind-Body Practices: Steps Toward Integration and Wellbeing

• What Is Harm Reduction?

• What is Consciousness? A View from the Book of Genesis

Psychedelic Jews in Portland, OR: Our Approach

But here’s the thing: Much as the other organizers and I endeavored to schedule speakers who could provide you with wise and authoritative information on the nexus of Judaism and psychedelics, we also wanted this event to have a very community-oriented feel. It’s our sincere hope that it will spark connections, foster relationships, and ultimately inspire a more open-ended, optimistic, and heart-led take on the “psychedelic renaissance” we’re watching unfold before our very eyes.

How? For one thing, we’ve put together a truly spectacular panel of Portland-based psychedelic guides. For many of us, the phrase “psychedelic therapy” conjures competing sensations: excitement, curiosity, even trepidation. Our hope is that by introducing you to a few of the people actually doing this work, it can dispel some of the mystique and uncertainty, leaving you with a clearer sense of what this work entails, and why it may—or may not—be right for you. 

Our approach also provides plenty of structured time to mingle, make connections, and engage with breakout groups and a deeper dive into specific topics, including:

• What is harm reduction?

• How do the “psychedelically naive” connect with reputable resources and guides?

• How do Kabbalah and psychedelics intersect?

Judaism & the Psychedelic Renaissance: Local Resources and Details

The program includes a brief 45-minute lunch break; attendees are welcome to partake of our light luncheon offerings from Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli (no, really!) or bring their own. If you choose to source a snack from one of the many nearby restaurants, do keep in mind that we’re on a tight schedule.

Likewise, there are plenty of hotels and Airbnb options available near the event. 

One final note: Is this really a “Jews-only” event? There’s a saying in the book-publishing world: “If you say your book is for everyone, it’s actually for no one.” And over time, I’ve come to see its wisdom. The fact is that while we humans all tend to exhibit similar responses to the psychedelic experience—awe and fear, wonder and dissociation, to name a few—much of what we’ll be sharing is aimed specifically at a Jewish audience.

With that said, I want to be crystal-clear: It doesn’t matter how—or if—you currently engage with Judaism. This event is designed both to offer a deep and provocative take on how this ancient spiritual tradition maps onto the current psychedelic renaissance, and to provide clues and insights into what’s ahead for Oregon specifically (and the psychedelic landscape as a whole). We’d love to have you join us.

Judaism & the Psychedelic Renaissance is Sunday, July 10th, 2022 at Eastside Jewish Commons. Tickets are $54 - $18 (student price) and can be purchased here.