Courses, retreats, and offerings
Grounded in mindfulness. Guided by wisdom.
Jewish Mindfulness Meditation
Cultivating Innate Sacred Character Traits
Mindful Torah Study
Embodied Practices
Contemplative Prayer
Upcoming Programs
April 16 – May 28, 2025
Beginning this Passover, join the IJS faculty for seven weeks of mindfulness practice to promote the healing, growth, and liberation we all need. Journey through the Omer (the period between Passover and the holiday of Shavuot) by immersing each week in one of seven sacred qualities drawn from Kabbalah.
April 21 – May 27, 2025
Join the Institute for Jewish Spirituality for a six-week intensive journey through the mystical tales of the Zohar, a foundational work of Kabbalistic literature. Renowned Israeli scholar and teacher Melila Hellner-Eshed, Ph.D., will guide this advanced course for students with a significant Judaic background (including rabbis, cantors, Jewish educators, and religious studies students).
April 29, 2025
Rabbi Shira Stutman has spent her career helping people of all backgrounds find meaning and connection through Jewish wisdom. In her new book, The Jewish Way to a Good Life: Find Happiness, Build Community, and Embrace Lovingkindness, she offers a radical yet accessible vision of how timeless traditions such as rest, justice, celebration, and community can enrich modern Jewish life.
May 7 – 21, 2025
In preparation for Shavuot, join us for a three-part series engaging in mindfulness meditation, poetry, and generative writing practices to explore themes related to Shavuot. This special collaboration between the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and Ritualwell brings you two expert instructors, Rabbi Dan Liben and poet and sound artist Elana Bell, as your guides. As we count the Omer and mark the weeks leading to Shavuot, find inspiration within community while creating your own meaningful kavannot (intentions) for receiving wisdom.
August 5 – 10, 2025
In beautiful Mill Valley, California, we will hold our second annual multi-day retreat specifically designed for young adults! This program invites you to slow down, connect with yourself and others, and drop into what matters most. Amidst the challenges of daily life and the tumultuous challenges in the world around us, this is an opportunity for deep renewal, healing, and transformation.
Year-Long Program
Bring the transformative light of Torah and Hasidic wisdom into your daily life. Explore two brand-new text study streams led by extraordinary Torah teachers, Rabba Dr. Mira Neshama Niculescu and Rabbi Sam Feinsmith. These programs will support you in expanding your spiritual awareness and deepening your mindfulness practice.
Upcoming Events
Shevet: A Jewish Mindfulness Community for Young Adults
Shevet: A Jewish Mindfulness Community for Young Adults
Welcome
For over 25 years, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality has helped thousands of people every year to slow down, reconnect with themselves and the world, and discover their sense of sacred purpose. We invite you to explore our website where you will find teachings, inspiration, guided meditations, and retreat opportunities to become more mindful, peaceful, compassionate, and resilient — all grounded in the rich wisdom of Jewish tradition. Wherever you are on your journey, whether you are just beginning or you have practiced mindfulness for years, we welcome you.
Reflections & Practice
Pekudei 5785: My Career as a Shoplifter
I'll begin with a confession: I am a shoplifter. Well, I was a shoplifter. As a little kid. My Mom and I were shopping at the grocery store. I saw a greeting card I really liked (I remember it being blue) and I wanted to buy it. For whatever reason, my Mom said no. I...
Vayakhel 5785: Reach Out and Touch Someone
I've written here previously about my mother's journey with Alzheimer's disease, which officially began seven years ago but which has likely been going on longer than that. For me, the first visible sign was when she had a hard time reading a children's book to our...
Purim & Ki Tissa 5785: A Caress, Not a Grip
Our family dog, Phoebe, is a 50ish pound Plott Hound (the official state dog of North Carolina, it turns out). Plotts are hunting dogs, and Phoebe certainly likes to be active. She requires at least two long walks a day, and often more. And she will frankly take as...
Check Out Our Podcasts
Weekly Meditation with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl
Soulful Jewish Living
A production of Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media, and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
