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
August 27 – September 17
A FREE four-week online program from IJS for the Hebrew month of Elul.
Year-Long Program
Find the spark of creativity within you, and open the way for it to flow into your daily life.
Year-Long Program
A year-long program bringing Torah and Hasidic wisdom into your daily life.
October 22 – November 19
An accessible and practical four-week introduction to mindful Jewish practice grounded in Jewish mysticism’s model of the “four worlds”.
November 3 – December 1
A five-session course exploring Jewish mindfulness practices to help us stay engaged with the news without becoming overwhelmed.
October 22
A FREE one-session class, led by Rabbi Elisa Goldberg. Learn about the art of spiritual direction, a contemplative practice that invites us to grow in awareness of the sacred dimension present in every moment, whether or not we believe in God.
Upcoming Events
Fire and Flow: Creativity and Mindfulness
A Study and Practice Group for Young Adults
Daily Online Meditation Sit
Shalem: A Monthly Mindfulness Affinity Space for People with Disabilities
The Shofar Project 5785: Getting Real (Again) for the New Year
LGBTQ+ Monthly Sit
Josh’s Friday Reflections
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
Ki Tavo 5785: Perceiving Blessings Clearly
Many years ago when I was a young rabbi working at Northwestern University Hillel, I went to meet Patti Ray at her home. Patti was the longtime director of Hillel at Loyola University, one of our neighboring campuses in the Chicago area. After this long time, I don’t...
Ki Tetzei 5785: Two Funerals and a Story
On Monday I had the rare opportunity to attend two funerals of women who died well into their 90s. They happened to know each other, they were both matriarchs of families with whom I've enjoyed long friendships, and they even shared the same first name (though spelled...
Shoftim 5785: First National Trust
One of the most delightful parts of being a parent has been studying parts of the Mishnah with each of my children. With my older kids, who are now both in college, it has been a little while. But my youngest is still at home, and our synagogue recently began a new...
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.
