Dear Friends,
Those of you who know me well know that I love to learn about how we can all grow into better human beings.
What does God want from us?
What are we put here on earth to do?
Will we always be the same people we are now or can we change?
How do we grow through the difficulties of our past and find the peace and happiness that we seek in the future?
I've talked about some answers to these questions in my High Holiday sermons, on Shabbat, and on other occasions.
I think we're all put here on this earth to become the best people we can be, and to do whatever it is God put us here to do.
The challenge is that we don't always know what that is or how to do it.
Last summer, I discovered a new (for me) pathway of Jewish wisdom, and I think it can help us find the answers to some of these questions. I invite you to join me, here at Beth Sholom, in studying the world of Mussar, in a course designed specifically for Conservative congregations, called Path of the Mensch.
Together, we will soon be embarking on a program of study and practice in the way of the Jewish spiritual tradition of Mussar and everyone is invited to join. Mussar might best be described as “Jewish spiritual ethics” and has been practiced for centuries by people who sought to cultivate and strengthen the qualities of the inner mensch. Mussar has been undergoing a revival in the Jewish world, and we are fortunate to be able to offer this curriculum created by The Mussar Institute, the leaders in the field. This program is suitable for all adults (teens and up), regardless of level of Jewish knowledge. There are no pre-requisites nor is Hebrew required. Come join in small group study as we explore together, in a safe and caring environment, what the Jewish tradition has to teach us about the traits of humility, gratitude, equanimity, patience, order and honor, among others – and discover how you can improve these qualities in your own life.
When I described this course over the previous months at Beth Sholom, there was interest in two different time slots, one on Shabbat following kiddush lunch (beginning approximately at 12:15) and the second on a weekday afternoon. I'm happy to try to accommodate both desires. The 15-20 week course (depending on the desire of the participants) will begin with an orientation session on Wednesday, February 15th at 2 pm and Saturday, February 18th at 12:15 pm , then meet every other week, starting on March 1st and March 4th and ending in June or July. In between group sessions you will meet or talk with your chevruta, or study partner. You will receive a copy of the course textbook Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis, and in group meetings and personal study and practice, we will explore these soul traits together. Mussar offers a Jewish pathway and a set of teachings that will help you find your way toward becoming your best self, and our community to reach its higher potential.
A few other course details:
The course will only meet in person twice/month. In-between you'll have a few pages to read, and a conversation with your chevruta/study partner (who will be assigned at the first meeting). Each session builds on the previous session's material. Therefore, unlike most of our offerings, this will not be a class you can drop into for a session here or there. You are welcome to come to the first session or two to try it out - after that, no one new will be allowed in.
I anticipate that there will be 7 or 8 in-person meetings for each group. If you need to miss one or two, that's okay - your study partner can fill you in.
Finally, because this is a pre-designed course by the Mussar Institute, there is a $90 fee to attend. That covers the cost of the course book and all materials, and what they spent to train me to teach the course. As always, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please let me know directly if you require assistance.
To register, call the office (683-3591) and talk to Cheryl and let her know whether you'd like the Wednesdays at 2 pm slot or the Shabbat afternoon at 12:15 slot. Each session will be aproximately an hour and fifteen minutes, and will take place in the board room/library.
This will be my last major adult education offering as part of our From the Rabbi's Study series. I'm excited about the topic and look forward to studying together.
I'm heading out of town today for a weekend with my girlfriend and siblings and then a Rabbinic conference in Baltimore. I hope you can make it this Shabbat, as we'll be hosting Robbie Gringras, the JCC Scholar-in-residence. He's a well-known Jewish educator, and he'll be sharing with us some creative teaching about prayer, theater, and coming closer to God. I hope you can make it - please try to arrive by ten am to hear him. Thanks to all who are filling in to read Torah, Haftarah, and lead services wile I'm away.
Again, please call the office to register for the Path of the Mensch course. We'll need to order books for participants, so please register as soon as possible, ideally by February 5th. Email me with any questions about the course, and I'll respond when I return next week.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ilan
