LIRIT KLEIN

Lirit, a Libra, was born in Israel in 1981 to Cuban parents. Although raised in a secular household, she had an interest in religion from an early age.

She first discovered the beauty of the Jewish religion when she attended a one-year project between high school and army service. During that year, there emerged within her a strong inclination toward Zionism, leadership, and feminism, as well as a motivation to take on a significant role in Israeli society. As a result, she joined a combat unit in the army; it was the first time women were integrated in this part of the service. She passed many difficulties to eventually become an officer and to serve as a platoon commander.

After leaving the army, she went on a cross-Israel trek, lived in a kibbutz (communal settlement), and returned to the teenagers’ project as a mentor. Following that year, she headed to India to rest and travel, with a future plan to go back to university to study International Relations and Education.

After three months of trekking and traveling in amazing India, she happened to arrive at Trika school in Rishikesh, Agama’s branch in the Himalayan holy town. Within a few days, all the plans changed. After completing the first and second month courses and a little break to travel some more, she went to Thailand to continue her studies with Agama.

Three seasons on Koh Phangan led to many changes in her view of life. The attraction to religion was reshaped into an attraction to God in a wider sense. She started to think differently on feminism, realizing that men and women are not supposed to be the same – quite the opposite, in fact – and over time she’s making peace with this understanding. Also, the old militant ways have become rather softened; she was recently released by the Israeli army from service in the reserve forces (as generally male and female warriors are obliged to perform).

Yoga did not bring any peace to her life! On the contrary, it stirred life even more. This makes her extremely grateful to Swami Vivekananda. With God’s help she hopes to one day be able to pay back for that.

Lirit began teaching in 2007.