Classes for Grads and Madrichim — Spring 2022
Lectures at Levinas
Madrich Rabbi Ira Stone
One of the unique aspects of the Center for Contemporary Mussar’s approach was developed by using the philosophic lens of Emmanuel Levinas. He was born in Lithuania, but studied in France, where he eventually made his permanent home. His emphasis on the obligation to bear the “other” as our responsibility runs through much of CCM’s material. This bi-weekly course will trace the main lines of Levinas’ philosophic thought through his specific Judaic essays and commentaries. The centrality of ethics in his philosophical approach, derived in part from his Judaic background, provides a unique lens through which to view traditional Mussar texts and practice.
Fee: $180
Every other Thursday on ZOOM
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
Dates: January 20 – May 26, 2022
Not currently accepting new students. To be placed on waitlist please email: admin@contemporarymussar.org
Post-Graduate Tikkun Va’ad
Madrich: Rabbi Ira Stone
Students will study Tomer Devorah, Chapters 2-4, and continue their personal explorations in a weekly Tikkun Va’ad. The class will be limited to ten students.
Rabbi Stone’s and Dr. Trey’s book, In Search of the Holy Life: Rediscovering the Kabbalistic Roots of Mussar took CCM students through Chapter 1 of Tomer Devorah. Rabbi Stone and Dr. Trey have continued their translation and commentary, which will be available to students of this class as a pre-publication PDF. The class will delve deeply into the text, which follows the structure of the sefirot––the emanation of divinity into the world––and will examine our crucial role in this ongoing process.
Fee: $245
Thursdays on ZOOM
Time: 5:30 PM — 7:00 PM ET
January 12 – May 25, 2022
This class is full.
Tomer Devorah Va’ad
Madrich: Martin Jacobs
While Mesillat Yesharim is the crucial and necessary foundation for the CCM curriculum, Tomer Devorah provides the basis for further Mussar study. Its 13 middot in chapter 1 form, in effect, a second foundation.
Fee: $200
Every Other Tuesday on ZOOM,
Time: 7:30 — 9:30 PM ET
February 15 – May 10, 2022
This class is full.
Madrich Colloquium Series
Open to All Madrichim
No Fee
Convened by Rabbi Ira Stone, Dr. Beulah Trey and the management team. Each session will feature a teaching about a text and/or practice, presentation to increase madrich knowledge from their experience, content and items to support Center for Contemporary Mussar, teaching dialogues and organizational growth. Committing to the series is a professional and organizational development series that develops a robust community of practice. Communities of practice have been defined as “groups of people who share a passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis.”
Fridays on ZOOM, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM ET
April 29
May 6