Courses, retreats, and offerings

Grounded in mindfulness. Guided by wisdom.

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Jewish Mindfulness Meditation

Cultivating Innate Sacred Character Traits

Mindful Torah Study

Embodied Practices

Contemplative Prayer

Upcoming Programs

Evening of Gratitude: The Value of Jewish Mindfulness

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.

Register by July 15
Evening of Gratitude: The Value of Jewish Mindfulness

November 16 – 20, 2025

When the seas of our lives are especially chaotic, it can be healthy to take temporary refuge in a sheltered place — like Noah did in the biblical ark. Once removed from the storm, we can connect deeply with our life force, reduce reactivity, and restore and strengthen ourselves. After this respite, we’re able to return to our lives with greater clarity and wisdom to respond to the chaos all around us. The IJS community will create our own ark of calm this fall, and we hope you will join us.
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Evening of Gratitude: The Value of Jewish Mindfulness

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.

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Evening of Gratitude: The Value of Jewish Mindfulness

Join Our Online Program

Discover the Jewish practice that wakes you up to the magic and meaning of your life. Led by Rabbis Sam Feinsmith and Jordan Bendat-Appell. This self-paced course is open year-round!

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Evening of Gratitude: The Value of Jewish Mindfulness

Join Our Online Program

Learn the Jewish Spiritual Practice that helps you show up more often as your “best self.” In this course, you’ll learn skills that can be applied in both the small and large actions of daily life: in difficult conversations, in interactions with family and friends, in traffic, and in meetings—whenever life is particularly challenging.
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Upcoming Events

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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.

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Reflections & Practice

Korach 5785: Hit the Drum

Korach 5785: Hit the Drum

If you were in band class at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor in the 1980s and 90s, you probably had Robert Albritton for a teacher. And if you had Mr. Albritton for a teacher, you probably remember some of his many colorful sayings. More than 30 years later, my...

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Shabbat Reflection – Shelach 5785

Shabbat Reflection – Shelach 5785

A few months ago, my dear friend and synagogue rabbi Ari Hart delivered a sermon that opened with a critique of an aspect of some (perhaps a lot?) of contemporary mindfulness practice: nonjudgmental acceptance. Now, I hasten to add that Ari is a participant in our...

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Check Out Our Podcasts

Weekly Meditation with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl

Weekly Meditation with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl

Join IJS for a weekly podcast featuring a brief, accessible teaching and meditation based on the weekly Torah portion, an upcoming Jewish holiday, or wisdom from Jewish tradition. In just a few minutes each week, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City, will help you pause, breathe, and find balance and clarity to weather today’s storms and meet our personal and collective challenges with Jewish wisdom. Whether you are in your car, on a walk, or at home, join us to learn, nourish your spirit, and deepen your practice.
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Soulful Jewish Living

Overstressed, overworked, overstimulated? Close your eyes, take a deep breath and tune in. In each episode Rabbi Josh Feigelson will guide with ancient wisdom and modern mindfulness practices to help center your soul and ease you into your week.

A production of Unpacked, a division of OpenDor Media, and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.

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Jewish Meditation for Everyone

Pause in the midst of your busy day to renew your body, heart, mind and spirit with a Jewishly-framed mindfulness meditation from the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. In each episode, hosted by Rabbi Marc Margolius, an expert Jewish meditation instructor guides you through a brief teaching and meditation for relaxing your body, reconnecting with your authentic self, and connecting you with deep Jewish wisdom.
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