Judy Lev | Author

PROSE on PAROS

A Retreat with Judy Lev, April 14-20, 2026

Tao’s Center, Greece

A word from author Judy Lev:

Scenes in prose, be it fiction or non-fiction, must fully engage the reader, as much as scenes in movies engage the viewer. To reach this level of expertise, in our morning sessions we will identify scenes—not as easy as it sounds—then dissect them in order to analyze their components. The scenes we will deconstruct will be those from great writers, as well as lesser-known authors. We will pay particular attention to our heartbeats as we read, in order to understand how the author has caused a particular emotion to emerge in the reader. We’ll learn how and when to ratchet up tension in a scene, for readers need tension to continue reading.

In our afternoon sessions, we will workshop pieces of your fiction or non-fiction, up to 2,500 words. These pieces will be sent to each participant before the retreat. The focus in the afternoon workshops will be determined by the problems in each piece of writing and may or may not have anything to do with scenes.

By the end of our time together on the magical island of Paros, your writing tool box will be so full it won’t even fit in the overhead space on your flight home.

A word from organizer Reva Mann, author and part-time resident of Paros:

I could never have published without coaching from Judy Lev. She taught me how to write a scene, place my characters, and thus, my readers, in time and space. After much hard work, under her patient guidance, I published in the UK, USA and four other countries. Don’t hesitate to join us in the paradise of Paros. Last year, our first, was fabulous, according to all participants. Give yourself the gift of a week of writing in a mesmerizing retreat ambience. You and your writing deserve it!

View from Tao's Retreat Center

The retreat will take place in Tao’s, a meditation and retreat center on the Greek island of Paros, with spectacular views from wherever you turn. Tsiki, our host, has been receiving guests at Tao’s for thirty years. The vegetarian food is delicious and the atmosphere calm and accepting. Optional wellness activities, at extra cost, such as yoga, meditation and chi-gong, will enhance your writing potential.

Photo Gallery

All photos by Michelle Orrelle (click an image to expand)

Retreat Feedback

“I would definitely recommend the retreat and return, myself, in the future. For me, it was such an enriching and liberating experience and very productive in terms of my own writing. I loved the walks to and from Tao's, the fresh food, beaches, exploring the island, qigong, having fun with the group and learning from Judy, my #1 teacher. Thank you so much for organizing such an inspiring and unforgettable week.”

—Miriam Levi

"Schlepping trolleys and suitcases and backpacks and paraphernalia from Tel Aviv, London, and the US to the paradise of Paros the twelve participants warmly welcomed at Margaritas and wowed at Taos for their Prose on Paros retreat pulled out notebooks, pens, iPads, laptops and entered the scary unknown world of sentences, but not ordinary sentences...no, sentences sizzling with sounds and syllables and cozy consonants and perfect paragraphs and writing, writing, writing about rooms and clothing and sharp memories...and so much more that enriched them spiritually as they simultaneously enriched themselves physically on the fresh vegetarian food...and spending hours writing, rewriting, revising, rejoicing, reorganizing, re-examining, reconstructing, reconsidering but leaving time to take in the rolling fields covered in ruby red poppies, delicate daisies, and lots of purple and yellow and green and dotted with white homes and blue arches and fences and Greek flags and sounds of peacocks and chickens and donkeys and exploring the shops and restaurants of Naousa, Lefkes, Parikea and dipping toes in the Aegean Sea with its rocky cliffs and smooth, white stones and drinking wine, ouzo, espresso and blessing Shabbat candles the dream made possible by the perfect planning skills of Reva and Tziki and the super-impressive super-teacher superwoman Judy Lev and finally running out of words as there's nothing more to say other than todah, gracias, efcharistó, thank you immensely for these days in Paros-dise as we begin to dream of the next time we are together."

—Judy Gray

Number of participants:

8-14

Accommodation:

This year we will stay at the comfortable and welcoming Eleana Studios located in the fishing village of Ambelas. Housing is in clean, well-appointed rooms near the shore, and a 5-minute drive or a 25-30 minute walk to Tao’s.

Cost = €1,185 (Euros)

Includes:

Accommodation for a shared room at Eleana Studios (for single occupancy, PLUS + €135 Euros)
Gourmet breakfasts, lunches and dinner on the first night at Tao’s Center (vegetarian)
Learning sessions and workshopping with Judy Lev

Does not include:

Transportation to and from Greece
Local car rental (optional)

Registration:

To reserve your place, a registration fee of (New Israeli Shekels) NIS 1,960 is required. (Israeli citizens must add 18% VAT by law = NIS 2,313). You will receive a receipt/invoice in English (For details, see below **)

Further payments are as follows:

€490 Euros, payable in cash upon arrival to Tao’s. You will receive a receipt in English from Tao’s.
€225 Euros for shared room for six nights or €360 Euros for private room, payable by credit card or cash upon arrival to Eleana. You will receive a receipt in English from Eleana.

In case of cancellation, half the registration fee is refundable until February 20th. Cancellation after February 20th is non-refundable.

**The Registration Fee is to be paid in NIS via a bank transfer to Reva Laimon. Email Reva at reva@jerusalemharmonyapts.com for transfer instructions with your contact information (email, phone and address).

Costs do not include your arrival to Paros and travel on the island. It is highly recommended to rent a vehicle in order to travel independently and enjoy the beauty of Paros in Spring.

After registration, participants will be contacted by Tao’s for coordination of transportation: Car / scooter / ATV / Bike / Taxi upon arrival. These costs will be paid directly to supplier.

Most retreat residents enjoy visiting local taverns or restaurants for dinners.

Flights and getting to Paros

Fly to Athens and from Athen’s Airport, take a 25-minute domestic flight to Paros with Aegean/Olympic air. Give yourself at least 2-3 hours at the Athens airport between flights to collect baggage and check in for the domestic flight.

It is highly recommended to fly with just one carry-on piece of luggage, so there will be no problem to make your connection. (Last year baggage was delayed and participants had to stay in Athens overnight.)

Boats from Piraeus take about 3.5 hours sailing time to Paros. Bus and taxi from Athens Airport to Piraeus Port takes one hour and costs €50 Euros.

If you have further questions about the logistics, please do not hesitate to contact me at reva@jerusalemharmonyapts.com or on 972 (0) 544202198

We look forward to creating a scene and seeing you in Paros this Spring!