"Each Jew has a special mitzvah to perform, one that belongs to the unique root of that person's soul, and it is waiting for him or her to discover it.... If your heart is open and your patience is great, you and your mitzvah will discover one another." —Arthur Green, Eyyeh: A Kabbalah for Tomorrow

Spirituality groups offer a way for Jews to explore their spiritual journeys in a Jewish context. They integrate Jewish worship and text study with contemplative practice. Over time, group members become guides for one another, and sources of companionship, learning and growth.

Spirituality groups provide an opportunity for participants to examine their own inner lives and to cultivate practices that will nourish them within the context of Jewish community and Jewish tradition. Through prayer, meditation, study, discussion and shared Shabbatonim participants mine the tradition for its wisdom about living meaningfully and richly in the twenty-first century. In the middle of busy lives, spirituality groups allow participants time out for reflection, self-examination, study and significant connection with others. Participants grow in Jewish knowledge, and deepen their contemplative practice in the company of like-minded sojourners.

The company and mutual support of members help deepen participants' experience as individuals and as group members.

Spirituality groups create a community of individuals with shared experience. Group members may stay in contact between retreat sessions, via a discussion group on the Internet or through one-on-one meetings, study sessions or conversations. These conversations can help to reinforce and support personal practice.

In addition, as participants join the unfolding conversation about spirituality in the Jewish community, they become part of a small, but growing, national network of people striving to make a place for the inner life and spiritual search in the American Jewish community.

The Institute for Jewish Spirituality has offered year-long spirituality groups in New York City, Los Angeles, Northampton/Amherst, Massachusetts, and Westchester County, New York. In addition, past participants in the IJS Rabbinic Leadership Program have launched one- and two-year "spirituality institutes" within their own congregations.

The IJS is now developing a two-year curriculum for use by alumni and other interested educators.

Lay alumni are encouraged and helped to continue meeting as a "spirituality havurah," based on the model of the spirituality havurah that alumni established in New York City. In addition, they are invited to participate in selected retreats and Shabbatonim.

For more information on the Lay Leadership program contact IJS.