Here’s the post at https://www.israellycool.com/2025/02/26/the-psychedelic-somatic-institutes-antisemitism-problem/
The article highlights , “This is not just a clear case of antitsemitism but also discrimination, which seems to contravene US law:” although if the applicant is not a US citizen as stated in the opening sentence do these laws apply?
The article is not clear whether the applicant is resident in the US or in Israel.
Yesterday, the following email received by a Jewish Israeli woman hit the web, after her husband posted it on Facebook, writing:
Woke up to find this message waiting for my wife. This was from a training she was hoping to do to help people dealing with Trauma, which the Israeli government currently estimates 38% of the population is facing following October 7.
This is not just a clear case of antitsemitism but also discrimination, which seems to contravene US law:
The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that no business (public or private) serving the public can discriminate based on a customer’s national origin, sex, religion, color or race. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act maintains no business is allowed to turn away a customer based on the person being a member of the following protected status:
- Race or color
- National origin or citizenship status
- Religious beliefs
- Sex
- Age
- Veteran status
- Disability or pregnancy
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
After learning about this, I tried to contact this Jean Clarin, but she neither answered her phone nor responded to my email. But I did notice many people bombarding the Psychedelic Somatic Institute’s (PSI) social media with comments alerting them to her conduct.
Their response was telling. Instead of coming out with an apology for their “rogue” employee, they simply deleted the comments on social media and then closed off the posts to comments.
And she still remains on their website:
Which suggests they are either trying to cover up her actions…. or, even more troubling, agree with them.
According to this post by the Physicians Againast Antisemitism Instagram account, it might be the second option, since the PSI’s founder Saj Razvi is allegedly a huge Israel hater himself:
Whatever the case, the PSI at best are turning a blind eye to antisemitism and at worst are partaking in it. Either way, best to stay away from them and not give them any business.
The following response is now published at
https://www.psychedelicsomatic.org/about
Dear PSI, Israeli and larger psychedelic healing communities,
This is my first public reply to the unfolding conversation regarding PSI’s email response to an Israeli applicant. If you have not seen it, the reply was:
“Thank you for your email and your interest in the PSI Apprentice Training program. Under the current circumstances of apartheid, ethnic cleansing and credible accusations of genocide, we are not at this time comfortable engaging with citizens of Israel.”
I have to begin with an apology to that applicant and the larger Israeli community. I was completely in the wrong by responding to the applicant from my subjective, individual, emotion-filled, reactive opinion instead of recognizing the healing mission that could be accomplished by being inclusive, cooperative and providing trainings for people in the Israeli healing communities. All people deserve access to healing, and I led with the part of myself that had lost connection to that truth. This is painfully obvious to me at this moment. I deeply regret that I did not respond from the non-discriminatory, inclusive, healing role PSI should take as an organization.
While this is no excuse, I just wanted you to know that my father passed away a few days ago, and things were pretty bad leading up to it. Because he and I were estranged, I thought this situation was not affecting me. I’m only now seeing how this was hitting me like a ton of bricks the entire time… numbing me out, triggering me, distorting my thoughts, distorting my judgements… and it was from that place that I made the egregious mistake of sending this divisive and harmful response to an applicant sincerely desiring to bring PSI to help the suffering in Israel.
So, to the Israeli community, I am deeply sorry. I’m saying this knowing that my ability to feel what is going on for you and your community that I have hurt is still limited because I’m far away from the suffering that surrounds you. What I know is that there are a great many good people in Israel working for peace and the healing of trauma. Ironically, this is also the entire mission of PSI. It kills me to feel how I have damaged trust in the Israeli, PSI, and larger psychedelic healing communities by adding discrimination and alienation into a conversation that should be about growing trust, understanding and inclusion.
I also want to say that this was 100% me and my blind process. No one else at PSI, not Jean, not the instructors had any part in this. This letter and everything contained in it is also coming only from me. It’s not being vetted by a lawyer, or a PR firm—it’s unpolished, incomplete and far from perfect. It’s me being as transparent as I can be in owning my profound error in judgment.
I want you to know that I am in deep reflection on all of this, and realize that I cannot even begin to understand the larger cultural forces, the historical wounds, the triggers that I may have opened as a result of this. I wish I had a better solution to all of it. What I do know is that the path is not in the direction of more alienation and ‘othering.’ That seems obvious in the light of day. I can say with clarity that discrimination and exclusion are NOT a part of the culture at PSI, and I would like to extend a bridge to the Israeli healing communities that would like to work with us. I am deeply sorry that my personal process took the path that it did and I ask for your forgiveness. We will be taking steps to make sure any one person’s distortions (especially that of the founder) are checked and vetted by a larger committee.
I know this is not enough. I’m fully aware that it does not capture the depth of your experience and that of your communities. I am seeking avenues to learn and repair this rupture. I hope this is at least a place to start.
With deep remorse and apology,
Saj Razvi
