Upcoming Retreats

Mussar is a tradition of engaging in Jewish learning that helps us to learn who we are and where we are going within the scope of our interpersonal relationships. Our Mussar group will explore and practice specific qualities, such as Equanimity and Patience, that are part of our Divine core. We will meet via conference call every other week to check-in and track our progress through the Mussar qualities (Midot). In addition to the full community call, participants will be paired into hevrutah buddies to learn together via specified guiding questions or activities that relate to the our ongoing process. We will use group and partner discussion, text study, journaling, and other creative methods to help us become more compassionate, effective, and authentic on our life path. No prior knowledge of Mussar or other Jewish learning is required. For a sneak peak of what we will be working on and to learn more about Mussar please feel free to check out:http://mussarleadership.org/middot.html .

Who can register? This study group is open to GLBTQ people who are interested in Judaism as a spiritual path. This group is limited to only 12 participants. How to register? Interested participants should contact [email protected] in order to receive a short registration form. Registration forms are due on November 1, 2011. Program Costs The complete tele-midrash program cost is based on a sliding scale fee between $165 – $265 per participant. This cost includes participation in 10 tele-midrash community calls over a 4-month period and a 1-hour private phone session with one of the tele-midrash facilitators. Additional individual sessions can be scheduled at a rate of $50 per hour.

For more details check out: Meaning Through Being
Program Dates (subject to change) Calls will be held bimonthly on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:15pm PST and 9:00 to 10:15pm EST beginning on November 9^th. Subsequent dates are: 11/16, 11/30, 12/14, 12/28, 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, and 2/29. Please ensure availability prior to registration. Facilitator Bios Dr. Zvi Bellin holds a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling and is a licensed therapist in Maryland and DC. Through his work with Nehirim: GLBT Jewish Culture and Spirituality, Zvi has directed intimate retreats for the GLBTQ Jewish community that are both spiritually uplifting and intellectually stimulating. His teaching style follows the tradition of blending Torah study with contemplative Jewish practice. Zvi has studied extensively with teachers spanning various Jewish denominations, including, Rabbi David Zeller, Miriam Ribner, Rabbi Zvi Miller, and Rabbi Jeff Roth. Click here to look at Zvi’s website: Meaning Through Being. Becky Emet is a former psychotherapist who went back to school for an MBA so she can help nonprofits change the world. Her first true love, of course, is Judaism. A long time leader in the queer Jewish women’s community, Becky is passionate about building welcoming, affirming LGBTQ Jewish community and about inspiring those around her to get involved in the process of co-creation. She served as the co-director of multiple Nehirim retreats and is best known for her heart-centered workshops and warm presence. Becky’s greatest hope for this group is that it inspires each person to feel more fully engaged in their spiritual life and more deeply connected to our rich LGBTQ Jewish community.