Practice Materials
To support those on the spiritual path, we offer audio-visual resources in three areas: niggunim, contemplative practice and yoga.
New Yoga CD
In All Your Ways Know God: Beginning Yoga On and Off the Mat by Rabbi Myriam Klotz Listen to a selection of three tracks from this album (click on the double arrow to move to the next track):
This CD includes a Beginning Yoga Practice designed to help develop spiritual awareness through attention to the body, gentle movement, and beginning yoga postures. In All Your Ways Know God also includes a 17 minute practice of Chair Yoga, stretches that can be done while at work or while traveling, to help cultivate health in the body and a centered state of mind during a busy day. Appropriate for all levels of experience. Included is an easy to use poster demonstrating the yoga poses and modifications found on the CD.
Preparing the Heart: Meditations for Jewish Spiritual Practice by Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg Listen to a selection of three tracks from this album (click on the double arrow to move to the next track):
On this CD, Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg shares her unique and inspiring teaching of the power of meditation and mindful awareness. Offering instruction in meditation, leading the listener through a variety of exercises and experiences connected to the language of the siddur (prayerbook), Rabbi Weinberg shares words to direct and support contemplative practice. Rabbi Weinberg leads us gently into our very hearts where we find the strength and compassion to live fully in our lives. (2 CD set)
Preparing the Heart: Yoga for Jewish Spiritual Practice by Rabbi Myriam Klotz Listen to a selection of three tracks from this album (click on the double arrow to move to the next track):
Rabbi Klotz is co-founder and co-director of The Yoga and Jewish Spirituality Teacher Certification Program at Elat Chayyim Jewish Spiritual Retreat Center. This is a fascinating new approach to yoga and Torah by combining the practice of classic yoga postures with traditional and mystical Jewish wisdom. Central Jewish concepts and values, images and practices are actualized and experienced through the practice of the yoga postures. The felt sense of God's vital force flowing in the physical body grounds an appreciation of the presence of God in the world, and in our lives. Yoga as embodied Jewish practice helps to heighten awareness of body, mind and spirit as it illuminates the heart of Jewish wisdom. Rabbi Klotz is a certified yoga teacher and yoga therapist. She also writes and teaches about the body and Jewish healing.
(includes pamphlet illustrating the postures described on the CD)
Songs to Open the Heart: Contemplative Niggunim by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld Prepared for the participants of the Institute, this CD is now available to the general public. Rabbi Strassfeld prefaces this CD of 12 melodies saying, "Niggunim are intended as a means to move beyond words and to express that which cannot be expressed in language. The melody is repeated in a seemingly endless way, until the power of the niggun opens a door that reaches deep inside us and stretches all the way to heaven." The power of these niggunim can be experienced in various contexts, and can be used for congregational worship, personal meditation or joyous celebration. The melodies are absolutely contagious, spirited and engaging-their old world flavor connects the modern listener to generations of sweet singers, making the past a bridge to the future. Cost: $16 plus shipping.
Hasidic Torah Lessons Click here to download the 2007-2008 application (.pdf file)
Programs originally prepared for the professional Fellows of the Institute are now available for purchase. These materials offer the opportunity to engage in depth with the thought of one Hasidic master over the course of a year. There are five archived programs currently available: Kedushat Levi (the writings of R. Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev, two years), Me'or Eynayim (the writings of R. Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl), Degel Machaneh Efraim (the writings of Rabbi Moshe Hayyim Efraim of Sudylkov), and Itturei Torah. Others similar courses will be offered in the future.
In these courses, one text, or a selection from a longer portion, is offered for each of the weekly Torah readings. These texts (in translation) are accompanied by a commentary, setting the text in its context, relating it to the Torah portion, or outlining the flow of the lesson. In addition, questions for thought and discussion are included. (For the Me'or Eynayim program there are two formats available: for rabbis/cantors and for lay Adult Education/Torah Study groups.)
These programs are valuable for personal study, for hevruta (paired) discussion, small groups and adult education or Torah study groups. Purchase of these programs includes access to e-mail support. Details available at time of purchase.
Lay Curriculum Vetaher Libeynu: The Institute for Jewish Spirituality Curriculum for Nurturing Adult Spiritual Growth
NOTE: this is not currently available for sale online.
This curriculum is the outgrowth of six very successful pilot programs conducted over five years in New York, Massachusetts and California. The development of this curriculum emerges from our commitment to support Jewish professionals who have participated in our programs and who want to offer an ongoing, intensive program of spiritual development to the communities they serve.
The program consists of twenty units to be conducted over a two-year period, including sixteen day-long sessions, and four Shabbatonim. The curriculum includes thematically coordinated, weekly study materials (with framing questions) for use in hevruta study. The content of the program focuses on spiritual journey, practice and community, helping participants integrate the practice of Talmud Torah, prayer, meditation, Mussar and Tikkun Olam into their personal and communal lives.
Cost: $2,000 ($1,500 for Hevraya members) for two years, including one hour of initial consultation. Additional consultation may be available for an additional fee. Inquire at time of purchase. Please click on the first order form above to order Vetaher Libeynu.