Level: Beginner |
Recommended Experience: None needed |
Format: Small Group | 6 Sessions per part |
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)
A taste of Pathway to the Inner Life with facilitator Jeffrey Amer.
In the Jewish perspective, the soul is the primary essence of who we are. However, we do not necessarily experience our inner lives in this way, and instead develop a belief that ourselves, our egos, form our primary identity.
In following the path of Mussar to build our inner lives, we have to come to appreciate the difference between self and soul, and especially to develop an understanding of the ideal relationship we can foster between these two dimensions.
In the first part of this three-part course, we bring these ideas to bear by focusing on four inner traits (middot) that with deeper understanding and balance can give us insight into and brighten the light of our soul.
After an introductory video by Alan Morinis, we will be discussing these Middot (soul traits):
Sessions / Facilitators:
Gali Levkovitz, Wednesdays, 12-1:30 pm ET, 3/4-5/13/2026
Stephen Haas, Sundays, 2-3:30 pm ET, 3/22-6/7/2026
Debbie Brown, Sundays, 5-6:30 pm ET, 3/22-6/7/2026
Special Pricing for Part I Only
Tuition (3-Tier Pricing):
*All course fees are 100% tax deductible.
Chaverim members enjoy a 15% discount off of course pricing. Members, please select the Chaverim rate of your choice on your registration form, membership will be verified before your enrollment is secured for the course.
We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera – Join Here.
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.
After an introductory by Rabbi Amy Eilberg, we will be studying these Middot:
Sessions / Facilitators:
TBD
Tuition (3-Tier Pricing):
*All course fees are 100% tax deductible.
Chaverim members enjoy a 15% discount off of course pricing. Members, please select the Chaverim rate of your choice on your registration form, membership will be verified before your enrollment is secured for the course.
We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera – Join Here.
Part II is open to those who have completed Part I.
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:
Sessions / Facilitators:
TBD
Tuition (3-Tier Pricing):
*All course fees are 100% tax deductible.
Chaverim members enjoy a 15% discount off of course pricing. Members, please select the Chaverim rate of your choice on your registration form, membership will be verified before your enrollment is secured for the course.
We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera Join Here.
Part III is open to those who have completed Parts I and II.
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