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
Begins September 9
Enhance your holiday experience through a Jewish mindfulness lens. In this new, rolling series of workshops on the Jewish holidays, we will learn about the traditional and contemporary rituals and practices associated with Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Accessible to all backgrounds with no Hebrew required.
Begins October 4
This year, we bring you two new text study streams, both of which provide rich material for contemplative study. Our text study stream for all learners is taught by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and our advanced stream is led by Rabbi Daniel Raphael Silverstein.
Begins October 14
This four-session course with Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell explores the spiritual foundations of Shabbat, including candle lighting, blessings, and Havdalah. Accessible to all observance levels, this series offers practical tools to cultivate deep presence, calm, and a weekly sanctuary for human thriving.
Begins October 15
Explore how Jewish spiritual practice and wisdom can help us show up and respond more effectively to the pressing issues of our time, and more often act and speak in alignment with the highest aspects of Jewish spiritual tradition. Led by Rabbi Marc Margolius with guest teachers: Rabbis Sharon Brous, David Ingber, Sharon Kleinbaum, Rachel Timoner, Isaiah Rothstein, and Yossi Klein Halevi.
October 25, 2026
After the High Holiday season has come to a close and as the month of Cheshvan continues its unfolding, we invite our younger adult community members to join the Shevet Jewish Mindfulness Community for this virtual day-long retreat. Come together with fellow practitioners in their 20s and 30s to turn inward, supported by kehilah (community)—honoring what this sacred season has stirred in us.
Applications Due October 29
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.
Upcoming Events
Earth, Moon, Mindfulness: A Sacred Year of Embodied Practice
Segula: LGBTQ+ Monthly Mindfulness Sit
Daily Online Meditation Sit
Josh’s Friday Reflections
Online Jewish Yoga Studio
Shevet: A Jewish Mindfulness Community for Young Adults
Mindful Fall Holidays: Yom Kippur
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
A Broken Heart, A Stable Home (Rosh Hashanah 5786)
In recent days, several friends have forwarded me an article from The Atlantic. It’s by Olga Khazan and it highlights the work of Willoughby Britton, a former academic researcher who has raised questions about potential negative health effects of meditation in some...
Teshuva Is a Compassionate Heart (Nitzavim-Vayelekh 5786)
I had a couple hours between the end of a senior staff offsite meeting in Atlanta and my flight home to Chicago. My colleague Firkins wanted to visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights before, so we went together and spent 90 minutes there on the way to...
Hinenu: Shanah Tovah from IJS
We invite you to watch our special high holiday message to help you prepare for the new year.
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.