Why would a Rabbi/Cantor go to Bali, Indonesia?

Of all the travel sites I had in mind, Bali was not even a blip on my radar. My travels over the last decade have been based on a desire to know more about my Jewish identity. I traveled to Spain, Eastern Europe, Poland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Russia to explore my Jewish roots, collective history and witness the land where a Holocaust was possible.

Practicing yoga in front of a beautiful mandala in Bali

My summers in Israel were to further my connection to our homeland, immerse myself in more Hebrew, to officiate Bar and Bat Mitzvah at the wall, to see “real” history, study at the Hartman Institute with Rabbi’s from all over the world, and to understand the political climate. Travel, outside of the country, has been about discovery and it is my classroom. I am a person who understands and learns best through people and experience. I feel the deepest gratitude to my Creator, for these opportunities.

This summer, I deviated from the rituals of my past and decided to go on an unexpected excursion to Bali. I joined a group of women and men from all over the world who are dedicated to a variety of healing modalities and wellness professions. Why?

First and foremost, I am deeply concerned about the mental health and well-being of the families and individuals I serve. Over the past years, there has been a growing lack of support to synagogues and the Jewish community. In particular, Covid being just one catalyst for isolation and fear of the future, but also the unsteady economy and the rapid changing of just about everything has created stress for almost everyone. People are burnt out, lethargic, have a lack of desire to venture back into the workplace, or the outside world, and there is a palpable sense of hopelessness, especially in our youth.

This reality has motivated me to find new ways to weave healing modalities into Judaism, and to focus on ways to build and highlight how Judaism can be a strong anchor for us in unsettled times. We have historical proof of how the Jewish people have been the model of survival. With this in mind, it’s time to develop not just survival techniques but to build new ways to thrive during these distressing periods.

Traveling to Bali is a 24 hour plane and car trip across the world to the most inherently healing and magical place I have ever experienced. The lush, brightly colored flowers in the forests, and waterfalls, are key to the ancient Balinese healing tradition. Their practices include holistic therapies, sound healing, herbs, medicines, body work, energy work, prayer, ceremonies, and deep faith in traditions. America is still catching up to many of these modalities.

Feeling the power of the waterfall in Bali

The group that I am lucky enough to be a part of, consists of beautiful individuals that have dedicated their lives to be of service to others. They are from all different parts of LA and are primarily in the healing profession. Physical and mental practitioner’s, sound bowl healers, energy healers who specialize in breath work, reiki, massage etc. I was the only “wellness” concierge Rabbi/Cantor. Our common bond was daily yoga, meditation, intentions and the need to fill up our own hearts and souls after a very stressful year, so that we could return with new ideas, hope and perspectives.

Bali is an extremely healing and rich land of energy. It is one of the 7 major vortexes on this planet. What is a vortex? Simply, a vortex is a concentrated area where a whirlpool of electromagnetic energy can be found. It is considered a special spot on the earth where energy is either entering the earth or projecting out of the earth’s plane. It is found to speed up natural healing in human beings.

Bali may be best known for its heart healing. For me, (just like at Rosh Hashanah,) I forgave by letting go of past hurts, negativity, fear, anger, disappointment and expectations and I opened my heart and mind to new ideas. Each day I could feel myself lighten up, laugh more, think more clearly, move forward with love, creativity, appreciation for all that I have learned, and all the people I have and love in my life. More than ever, I look forward to manifesting my best life. I am not one to openly say that magic exists, but it truly does in Bali.

I came home so refreshed and rested and with the deepest gratitude for a place that is so “faith centered.” I feel lucky to have met people who were so kind and gentle and for the opportunity to travel to such an exotic and healing place.

This Shabbat, I am soaking in gratitude for the people who arranged the trip and all that I received. I pray that I have given to them all that was given to me. I encourage you to reflect on your own early summer blessings, to focus on the company you have been keeping and the energy you have absorbed from your adventures, and soak in gratitude as well.

Rabbi Judy in Bali