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
Applications Are Now Open
We’re thrilled to announce the second cohort of Kol Dodi, a program that will prepare participants to serve as spiritual directors. Check out our recent info session to learn more and begin your application.
August 11, 2026 – July 27, 2027
In the Jewish annual cycle, each month is intrinsically connected to the elements—and so are we. Join Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife for a journey through the Jewish year. In each monthly session, we’ll explore the “spiralinear” nature of time as a way to enliven our experience of Judaism and make meaning of the changing nature of life.
August 19 – 23, 2026
This August, we’re heading to the woods of West Cornwall, CT, for our third annual silent retreat designed specifically for folks under 40. This isn’t just a getaway; it’s a dedicated space to slow down, put down your phone, silence your notifications, and return to yourself.
November 15 – 19, 2026
This mostly silent, Jewish mindfulness meditation retreat will be at the serene Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY. Our retreat will be led by IJS faculty and other experienced, beloved instructors. Over five days, we will focus on deepening our practice through silent meditation enhanced with Jewish teachings, meditation instructions, mindful prayer, and yoga/embodied practice.
Upcoming Events
Josh’s Friday Reflections
Daily Online Meditation Sit
Shevet: A Jewish Mindfulness Community for Young Adults
Shalem: A Monthly Mindfulness Affinity Space for People with Disabilities
Online Jewish Yoga Studio
Earth, Moon, Mindfulness: A Sacred Year of Embodied Practice
Sharing Our Torah: Jews of Color Monthly Mindfulness Affinity Space
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
In God We Trust (Devarim 5786)
Like me, one of my childhood rabbis, Rob Dobrusin, is a baseball fan. In addition to teaching me Torah as a young person, he also taught me to appreciate the writing of Bart Giamatti, the late Commissioner of the MLB. So the other day, when he posted this meme about...
At Home Everywhere? (Matot-Masei 5786)
A few months ago, after I shared that I would be devoting more of these reflections to the topic of home and at-homeness, a package arrived in the mail. I opened it to discover a book I hadn’t ordered, The Longing for Home (University of Notre Dame Press, 1996)....
Summertime Meditation: Suspending Disbelief
We invite you to unwind with a simple, powerful practice. Step outside for a summertime meditation led by Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell.
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.