Afternoon Practice Tracks

Track 1: “Mindfulness in Breath and Body” 

With Cantor Elizabeth Shammash, Adath Israel, Merion Station, PA
Participants will engage in Jewish mindfulness practice through sitting and walking meditation, as well as gentle embodied practice. This general mindfulness track is ideal for beginners, as well as those seeking to deepen their practice. Note: those who choose the one-day option will participate in this afternoon track.

Track 2: “I Am What I Will Be: Exploring God, Gender and Embodiment Through Writing and Movement”

With Rabbi Myriam Klotz, IJS faculty member teaching yoga and embodied practice, and Dr. Joy Ladin, Prof. of English, Yeshiva University, poet, transgender activist
Through creative writing, embodied practices, Torah study and playful group activities, we will explore our relations to gender and to our ever-changing, impermanent bodies (however these may be) as spiritual invitations. What does this mysterious process of living in our evolving bodies help reveal to us about God? About other human beings?

Track 3: “The Jewish Mindfulness Foundations of Tikkun Middot Practice” 

With Rabbi Marc Margolius, IJS Senior Program Director
Participants will explore the elements of mindfulness which form the basis for tikkun middot practice, integrating mindfulness with close attention to middot, innate spiritual ethical qualities within us. We will focus on (1) hitlamdut (self-learning), curious, nonjudgmental attention,.and (2) the bechirah (“choice”) point, noticing our habitual reactions and observing additional options for responding in the moment. This track will involve meditation, text study, personal reflection and sharing in a group context. It is appropriate for

• Those who have no previous experience, but would like an introduction to this powerful practice.

• Those who have taken the IJS online program “Awareness in Action,” and would like to ground their practice in meditation and mindfulness.

• Those who plan on enrolling in our next “Awareness in Action” online course, and would appreciate a chance to ground their experience more deeply in meditation and mindfulness.

Track 4: “A Spiritual Approach for Meeting the Climate Crisis” 

With Rabbi Jonathan Slater, IJS Senior Program Director
In the face of what appears to be inevitable disruption and confusion, what are the qualities of heart and mind, body and soul that we can bring to bear to remain present, resilient, and useful? We will give our attention to a series of texts from the Hasidic tradition that may help us to answer this pressing question.