Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell and Guest Teachers
4 Live Sessions:
Wednesdays, 2:00-3:15pm ET
October 14, 21, 28, November 4
Course at a Glance
This four-session course explores the spiritual foundations of Shabbat, including candle lighting, blessings, and Havdalah. Transform your routine Shabbat rituals into a grounded, life-giving mindfulness practice that focuses on oneg (joy) and menuchah (rest). Accessible to all observance levels, this series offers practical tools to cultivate deep presence, calm, and a weekly sanctuary for human thriving.
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Course Description
Shabbat is more than a day off—it is a sanctuary in time in which we connect with a feeling of at-homeness and wholeness. Join us to discover (or rediscover!) this ancient tradition through a Jewish mindfulness perspective, transforming abstract or routine rituals into a grounded, life-giving experience. Whether you are a lifelong practitioner or new to Jewish tradition, this course offers the tools to breathe new life into your week. Together, we will explore how the wisdom of Shabbat can foster the deep presence and calm necessary for our human thriving. Sessions will focus on candle lighting, Kiddush and blessings at home, Havdalah, and the inner Shabbat experiences of joy and rest. This course is less about traditional “rules” and more about using Shabbat as a way to cultivate a deeper experience of life, no matter your level of observance.
After completing this course, you may notice…
- You’ve begun a meaningful practice of Shabbat.
- You’ve enhanced the spiritual and personal meaning of your existing Shabbat practice
- Shabbat has come alive for you, becoming a truly meaningful and important element of your life.
- You are more connected to a reality of wholeness and “at homeness.”
Curriculum
In this course, we will learn about traditional components of Shabbat practice from the perspective of a mindfulness practice. We will unpack the forms and prayers of Shabbat in a way that will shine a light on our human experience and open a doorway into an accessible and life affirming practice. This approach can work well whether you are already Shabbat observant in any way, or if it is all new to you.
Our four sessions will focus on:
The overall spiritual experience of shabbat from a mindfulness perspective, with a focus on oneg (joy) and menuchah (rest).
Candle lighting, blessing loved ones, kiddush, motzi, bensching.
Shabbat prayer and home practices.
Havdalah; bringing Shabbat into the week.
Here’s What Participants Have Told Us About How IJS Courses Transformed Their Lives
There is an abundance of light to tap into in our Jewish heritage. Spiritually, religiously and interpersonally each time we connect with another person, in each teaching we are given and in the quiet moments in between there may be something precious. This course reminded me to stay open to whatever comes, and to take notice of what arises and stay in the moment.
I have access to levels of awareness in myself that I didn’t really know about and therefore hope for a life informed by awareness and connection to the divine.
Register Now
IJS is pleased to offer this course at two tuition levels.
We encourage you to pay at the highest level you can, which will enable more students to participate.
Abundance Level
$199
Basic Level
$99
Meet Your Instructor:
Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell
Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell is Senior Core Faculty at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), where he teaches Jewish mindfulness and text and directs cohort and retreat programs. Jordan began working for IJS as rabbinical student intern in 2005, and was on staff from 2011-2017, as a teacher of Jewish Mindfulness, leading retreats, and as Director of the Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training. Jordan also taught meditation to rabbis and cantors through IJS’ Clergy Leadership Program.
Currently at IJS, Jordan focuses on teaching Jewish mindfulness and text, planning and directing retreats, and leading the development of a new training program for advanced teachers of Jewish mindfulness.Jordan will also continue to share his expertise through online courses and on retreats, fostering mindful engagement with Jewish wisdom and tradition.