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New Year. New Connections.
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Rabbi Lisa Goldstein
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One of my favorite teachings of Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev is that we are recreated as a new creature - really - each time we take a breath. The siddur reminds us every morning that God continually renews the work of creation. The Mishnah teaches that there are four new years: one for festivals, one for animals, one for counting years and one for trees.
Why all this emphasis on newness? Because beginnings can be delightful and give us hope. Because new things help us grow. Because a fresh start is often exactly what we need.
And sometimes beginnings are frightening and demand all our wisdom and inner resilience to know how to best respond with courage and vision.
As we begin 2017, we at the Institute have lots of new offerings to support you in beginning or perhaps recommitting to and deepening your practice. Our hope is that they help bring you delight and hope, wisdom and vision.
With blessings,
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One of the most important factors in sustaining a robust practice of Jewish mindfulness is practicing with a community. There is simply no substitute for sitting in the same room with your community of practice and breathing together.
You may already be part of a local Jewish meditation group and want to help it grow and thrive--or perhaps you are considering whether or how to begin a local group. In either case, the Reshet: The Jewish Meditation Group Network Retreat and Conference for Leaders of Jewish Meditation Groups offers support and inspiration for taking your group--and your practice--to the next level.
Click here to register, or here to learn more!
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Contemplative Practice at Home:
Text Study 5777
The Institute offers two exciting (but very different) Text Study options. Wondering which one is right for you? Check out our quick guide by clicking each banner to learn more!
The cost for the program is $240 for either program, or $450 for both.
Student Rate: $50 for either program, or $75 for both.
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Upcoming Online Modules
Sacred Chant: Healing the Spirit, Transforming the Mind, Deepening Love
Rabbi Shefa Gold
February 5 - March 3
If music and song is where you find the most spiritual energy and connection to the Divine, Shefa's Prayer Project module is just for you. In this module, we'll cultivate a deep devotional practice, learn what makes a chant different from a song, and use chant to build a sanctuary of heart, body, relationship, community, and world.
Hitbodedut: Cultivating Spontaneous Conversations with God
Rabbi David Jaffe
March 5 - 31
If you find yourself looking for ways to connect to the Divine outside of traditional liturgical prayer, David's module is just what you're looking for. In this month-long class, David will teach the practices of talking spontaneously with God, setting intentions, turning Torah into prayer, and much more.
To register for a Prayer Project module, visit:
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Summer Retreat and Training
for Hevraya and Community Members
Are you a professional or a lay leader in a Jewish community? This summer, the Institute will offer a retreat/training program just for leaders like you, who will be immersed in contemplative practice and receive training in implementing either our Tikkun Middot Project or Wise Aging Project. Those who are interested must apply to participate.
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Jewish Meditation Group Network
: Building Communities of Practice
Webinar Series
from Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell
Reshet: The Jewish Meditation Group Network (formerly
V'asu Li Mikdash)
is an initiative of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality dedicated to supporting all those who teach, lead or organize Jewish Meditation groups-- as well as for those who hope to begin groups.
Our next webinar:
The Mindfulness Practice of Birkat Kohanim
Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell
Thursday, January 26, 2017
1-2:15PM ET
Please note that space for the live webinar is limited to 100 participants, so don't wait! The webinar will be made available for download after the live webinar has concluded.
Open to everyone!
Cost: Free of charge
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