Part 3 of a 3-Part Beginner Course

In this engaging va’ad (small group) -based course, you will learn from three revered Mussar teachers: Dr. Alan Morinis, Founder of The Mussar Institute, Rabbi Amy Eilberg, the first ordained woman Rabbi in the Conservative tradition, and Rabbi Avi Fertig, the Chief Programming Officer at TMI. Each of these teachers will introduce the main concepts and context for one of the three parts.

Your course will be guided by a Mussar facilitator as you work in your va’ad (small group) and with your chevruta (partner). You will refine your understanding and develop new skills as you grow in awareness and wisdom, and transform your sense of your own inner nature, your relationships with those closest to you, and your relationship with the Divine Presence.

Format:

Each course offers six va’ad sessions in which four middot (Soul Traits) are covered through the lens of a particular theme. Each of these va’adim is facilitated by an expert TMI facilitator via Zoom.

A Three-Part Course: (intended to be taken sequentially)

Part I: Connecting Self and Soul – introduction by Alan Morinis

Part II: Transforming Relationships – introduction by Rabbi Amy Eilberg

Part III: Engaging the Divine Presence – introduction by Avi Fertig

In all three parts, you will experience Mussar learning through text study, cheshbon ha’nefesh (accounting of the soul), visualization, chanting, meditation, and kaballot (exercises). You will study on your own, with a chevruta (study partner) and in your va’ad (small group).

Part II is open to those who have completed Parts I and II. Parts may not be taken out of sequence.

Part III: Engaging the Divine Presence

Our relationships are where “the rubber hits the road”. Too often, our relationships with those closest to us are the most problematic. In this part, we will explore the middot that are directly linked with relationships and transform, or radically alter our insight into and ability to balance them.

In the third and final part of the course, we open space for you to deepen your personal relationship to Divine Presence and come to understand the context of personal growth in relationship to your spiritual life.

After an introductory by Avi Fertig, we will be studying these Middot:

• Gratitude/Hakarat Ha’tov
• Trust/Bitachon
• Honor/Kavod
• Faith/Emunah

Sessions / Facilitators:

TBD

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