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
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 1:30 PM ET, Zoom
In his book, Tablets Shattered: The End of an American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life, journalist Joshua Leifer brings an eye both historical and personal to the 21st century Jewish communal experience. In this conversation, Joshua will discuss the ways in which younger generations of Jews are traversing this landscape, his own personal story as a descendent of Belarussian Jewish immigrants, and the future he imagines for Jews in the United States.
January 14 – April 1, 2025
Registration is now open for Flourish, a unique offering for Jewish clergy, educators, and other Jewish professionals: Join author and master mindfulness teacher, Yael Shy, and Rabbi Miriam Margles of the IJS Senior Core Faculty for a transformative 12-week program in Jewish mindfulness.
January 16 – 30, 2025
Join Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, one of this generation’s most respected spiritual leaders and Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City for a course that will provide both comfort and wisdom. During this three-session program, we’ll learn to discern the difference between fear and danger, address internal and external antisemitism, and understand our agency to respond.
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.
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!
Upcoming Events
Shevet: A Jewish Mindfulness Community for Young Adults
Shevet: A Jewish Mindfulness Community for Young Adults
Welcome
For over 20 years, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality has helped thousands of people every year to slow down, reconnect with themselves and the world, and rediscover 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, more peaceful, more compassionate, and more resilient, all through 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
At Home in the Darkness
At this time of year, where I live in Toronto, the trees have shed almost all of their leaves and their branches stand bare against the grey sky. Day by day, the hours of sunlight shorten while darkness holds on longer to the mornings and rolls in earlier and earlier...
Extracting the Hidden Light
As we enter the darkest season of the year, Jewish tradition teaches of the or haganuz, a hidden light revealed through presence and righteous acts. Legend says 36 hidden righteous ones—the Lamed Vavnikim—sustain the world. This Hanukkah, as we light 36 candles, we’re...
A Quiet Mind (Chayei Sarah 5785)
Many years ago, when my oldest son (now 21) was little, he asked for me to read him stories from a children's bible on our shelf. It had belonged to my wife as a kid, and I was excited that Jonah wanted to hear these stories. But of course it got complicated,...
Check Out Our Podcasts
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.
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.
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.
