In my third year of Mussar study, we were asked to look at a challenging relationship in our life. For me it was a daughter-in-law of more than twenty years, who I always thought was angry with me. After a year of considering her wounds, I was able to initiate a non-defensive conversation with her. Hearing her, I told her how sorry I was for times I had hurt her and that I really do love her and appreciate the wife and mother she is. I told her I hoped we could start anew; it’s now been more than two years and all is well.
Sandi

When people would ask me how I, as a Reform Jew, practice Judaism in my daily life, I never knew how to respond . . . until I had participated in Mussar. For me, this will be a lifelong practice, but one that brings a conscious awareness of Jewish thinking on a daily basis. 
Jean Adelsman

Our Mussar study is providing me a “mindfulness” alternative in a Jewish tradition. My desire to live an ever more meaningful life led me to search for a better understanding of God’s will for me. Mussar is satisfying my quest.
John Ourisman

Mussar has proven to be a true life companion. I see changes occurring in long held patterns, particularly in the realm of patience. I see myself available to others, receiving feedback that this is true, and yet I understand when self-care is needed and appropriate. In other words, Mussar, as taught by CCM, provides a language and a framework for creating a healthy soul container while acting in our fragmented world.
Martha Hare

In a challenging situation, I ask myself how I should respond from a “Mussar” perspective and that self-reflection helps me to react in a more caring and generous way. I have also been enriched by the relationships I have formed with my study partners and teachers – meaningful bonds with wonderful people.
Debbie Levin

2023 Classes for

New Students

Seeds of Mussar

No prerequisite – Open to all

Spring Classes Arriving Daily!

Click here for full class description.

Click here for payment policies and procedures. 

Foundations of Mussar

No prerequisite – Open to all (Note: if you have not taken the Seeds of Mussar class, please contact the appropriate Madrich(ah) before enrolling in Foundations.

Spring Classes Arriving Daily!

Click here for full class description.

Click here for payment policies and procedures. 

If you are interested in beginning Mussar studies with CCM, please complete this CLASS INTEREST FORM.

Spring 2023 Classes

Spring 2023!

Seeds of Mussar

Madrichah: Martha Hare 

Fee: $100

To be rescheduled

Spring 2023!

Foundations/Kibbush I

Madrichah: Sandi Kirschner 

Fee: $325

Every Other Monday on ZOOM

Time: 10:00AM – 11:30AM ET

Dates: January 23 to May 29, 2023  

To Register and Pay using PayPal or Credit Card, please click HERE.

To Register and Pay using a Check, please click HERE.

NOTE: This Class is full!

Spring 2023!

Mussar and Prayer: A Close Reading of Chapter 10 of Tomer Devorah

Madrich: Rabbi Ira Stone 

The question of prayer is often times ignored within the Mussar community. This class will explore the meaning and practice of prayer through the eyes of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero’s Chapter 10 of Tomer Devorah and through the lens of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s “Quest for God.”

Fee: $180

Every Thursday on ZOOM

Time: 1:00PM – 2:00PM ET

Dates: April 20 to May 25, 2023  

To Register and Pay using PayPal or Credit Card, please click HERE.

To Register and Pay using a Check, please click HERE.

NOTE: This Class is full!

Spring 2023!

Poetry and Mussar: The Other as Revelation

Madrich: Rabbi Joshua Boettiger 

Stretched hyperbolically, one might say that all poetry, at least all good poetry, is Mussar poetry. What did Marina Tsvataeva mean when she wrote, “All poets are Jews” and how might this connect to Emanuel Levinas’ dynamic definition of ‘Israel’? Join Rabbi Boettiger for a four session course exploring the intersection of Poetry and Mussar, and how we might make use of poetry within our Mussar practices. We will be looking at poems that describe encounter, but also at poems that embody encounter itself – such as poetry of direct experience, or poetry written by those who we might consider, ‘other.’ We’ll spend a little time initially grounding in the Psalms and other biblical poetry before moving into what we might call poetry with a Mussar sensibility. Featured poets include Paul Celan, Osip Mandelstam, Muriel Ruckeyser, Naomi Shihab Nye, Ilya Kaminsky, Ariana Reines, and more.

NOTE: this class is open to all Mussar students.

Fee: $80

Every Tuesday on ZOOM

Time: 4:00PM – 5:00PM ET

Dates: May 2 to May 23, 2023  

To Register and Pay using PayPal or Credit Card, please click HERE.

To Register and Pay using a Check, please click HERE.

If you are looking for a teacher or would like to start a new group please contact us.

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