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
Begin February 22, 2026
Spiritual Direction Groups provide the unique opportunity to be part of an intimate group for spiritual growth facilitated by a seasoned Spiritual Director. Spiritual direction is a contemplative practice that invites you to grow in awareness of the sacred dimension present in every moment.
Begins February 24, 2026
Taught by senior core faculty member Rabbi Sam Feinsmith, this course will help you take your daily meditation practice to the next level through the Kabbalah’s mystical sefirot — lenses to help us cultivate consciousness and reveal the sublime Oneness of Being.
Begins February 26, 2026
Join us for a five-week program with Anya Kamenetz to examine our collective emotional responses to the crises of our time and learn to find inspiration even in the depths of despair.
March 4, 2026
In conversation with Rabbi Josh Feigelson, Rabbi Buchdahl will discuss her new book Heart of a Stranger, and reflect on the spiritual practices and ethical commitments that shape a life of welcome and belonging.
Begins March 10, 2026
A 12-week Jewish Mindfulness Immersion & Sit-Leader Certification. Transform your meditation practice into a daily source of grounding and joy — and gain the skills and confidence to bring these practices to others.
Upcoming Events
Text Study 5786
Sitting with the Sefirot
Daily Online Meditation Sit
Falling In Love With The World Again
Josh’s Friday Reflections
Online Jewish Yoga Studio
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
Making Space (Terumah 5786)
Conventional wisdom tells us you shouldn't make too many big life changes at once. Two weeks after I finished rabbinical school in the summer of 2005, Natalie and I welcomed our second child. And two weeks later we moved halfway across the country so I could start a...
Common Decency Comes Before Religious Law (Mishpatim 5786)
This week I remembered an event from many years ago when I was a young Hillel rabbi. I was in a session at the annual Hillel staff conference led by Rabbi Jim Diamond z"l, the sagely longtime Hillel director at Princeton. Jim was sharing some of his war stories, one...
Nahafokh Hu: The Upside-Down Wisdom We Need Right Now
There is a phrase at the heart of the Purim story: nahafokh hu, “it was turned upside down.” The very moment when destruction seemed certain became the moment of redemption. Everything reversed, inside became outside, and the hidden became revealed. These days, we...
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.
