Jewish Spiritual Guidance

Using the "Book of Exodus, Song of Songs", and the "Psalms" as guides, Carol Ochs and Kerry Olitzky explore the riches of spiritual journey in the context of Judaism. Their discoveries speak to those who seek a deeper Jewish spiritual life as well as to those who wish to guide others in this search, whether they be religious professionals, counselors, or more informed mentors.

The first comprehensive resource for spiritual direction in the Jewish tradition— a vital resource for people involved in spiritual leadership. The essential reference for people who are called to help others listen for God’s voice—not only through prayer and sacred texts, but also through dance, art and interactions with other people—this groundbreaking volume draws on both Jewish tradition and the classical foundations of spiritual direction to provide invaluable guidance. Offering insight into all aspects of spiritual direction, including theology, practice, companionship, group work and embodied spirituality, the contributors to this guide are innovators in their fields and represent all four contemporary Jewish movements. Topics explored include: Jewish Theologies and Jewish Spiritual Direction • The Vocabulary of Jewish Spiritual Direction • Spiritual Direction as a Contemplative Practice • Contemplation and Social Action • Cultivating a Hearing Heart • Spiritual Types • Community for Spiritual Direction • Spiritual Direction and the Cycle of Holy Time • Spiritual Companionship and the Passages of Life • Jewish Spiritual Direction and the Sacred Body • Integrating Spiritual Direction and Visual Creativity • and many more ... An exciting and practical addition to an emerging field, this is the definitive guide for all who accompany Jewish seekers on their spiritual journeys.

Seeking and Soaring provides the opportunity to meet and learn from thirty-one Jewish spiritual guides, teachers and scholars from across the spectrum of Jewish life. Essays by leading professionals reveal traditional and contemporary methods of Jewish spiritual development, guidance and support. Significant innovations are included, such as the incorporation of ritual, movement, and guided experiences in nature. The inclusion of stories and instructive excerpts from sessions in progress, as well as powerful, pertinent teachings of Jewish spiritual masters make Seeking and Soaring a valuable resource for seekers, teachers and guides. Praise for Seeking and Soaring The rich and varied essays address the needs and yearning of contemporary Jews. You will find much to nourish your soul and enrich your practice as you companion people at moments of suffering and joy. -Barbara E. Breitman, co-editor Jewish Spiritual Direction: An Innovative Guide from Traditional and Contemporary Sources "Glows with Spirit. A must read for all who seek or teach about a meaningful life. The occasional Hebrew words are carefully explained. The profession of spiritual direction is enriched with the publication of Seeking and Soaring." -Dale T. Irvin, President, New York Theological Seminary Edited by Rabbis Goldie Milgram and Shohama Wiener Introduction by Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi: Contributing authors: Estelle Frankel, Barry Bub, Diane Elliot, Howard Cohen, Jill Hammer, David Daniel Klipper, Goldie Milgram, Shefa Gold, Carola de Vries Robles, Marcia Prager, Joyce Reinitz, Carol Rose, Melinda Ribner, Hanna Tiferet Siegel, Shulamit Fagan, Nadya Gross, Anne Brener, Chaya Gusfeld, Shohama Wiener, Ellen Kaufman Dosick, Ruth Gan Kagan, Howard Avruhm Addison, Elliot Ginsburg, Rami Shapiro, Burt Jacobson, Mitchell Chefitz, Sandra Sarah Cohen, David Zaslow, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Shawn Israel Zevit, Raachel Nathan Jurovics, Wayne Dosick

This book is for people who wish to tranform their engagement from simply a period of planning details to a meaningful passage in their lives.

In Reaching Godward, Dr. Carol Ochs draws on her years of experience as a spiritual guide. A philosopher and rationalist, Ochs incorporates reason, spirituality, Jewish tradition, and life realities into her thoughtful book. In it she portrays the quest for connection with God through a series of vignettes, each a composite of people Ochs has worked with. Each person is different, and thus each journey is different, but all have developed ways of living out their commitments so that their personal relationships with God continue to develop and their lives continue to be richer for it.

Be spiritually prepared for your journey in Israel. The only travel guide to Israel that will help you to prepare spiritually for your visit. Combining, in quick reference format, ancient blessings, medieval prayers, biblical references, and modern poetry, it helps today’s pilgrim tap into the deep spiritual meaning of the ancient—and modern—sites of the Holy Land. For each of 25 major tourist destinations—from the Western Wall to Masada to a kibbutz in the Galilee—it gives guidance in sharply focused, four-step sections: Anticipation: To read in advance. Information to help orient you in the site’s historical context. Approach: To read on the way there. Readings from traditional and modern sources to orient you in the site’s spiritual context. Acknowledgment: To read at the site. A prayer or blessing to integrate the experience into your spiritual consciousness. Afterthought: Journaling space for writing your own thoughts and impressions. More than a guidebook: It is a spiritual map of the Holy Land.

A how-to for Jewish spirituality that works. "A spiritual seeker is a person whose soul is awake. In this book I make no assumptions about how much you know about Judaism, what holidays you keep, or whether you believe in God. I want us to start from your soul's experience and carry on from there." --from the Introduction "Virtually anyone remotely affiliated with Judaism should read this book," wrote Publishers Weekly, which listed Jewish with Feeling among its Best Religion Books of the Year. "Without question the best, most readable introduction to Reb Zalman's philosophy of Judaism, it is also the best beginner's guide to Jewish spirituality available today," wrote the Forward, "the perfect book for both the spiritual seeker and the curious skeptic." Taking off from basic questions like "Why be Jewish?" and whether the word God still speaks to us today, Reb Zalman lays out a vision for a whole-person Judaism. This is not only Sinai then but Sinai now, a revelation of the Torah inside and all around us. Complete with many practical suggestions to enrich your own Jewish life, Jewish with Feeling is "a mystical masterpiece filled with spiritual practices and an exciting vision of the future" (Spirituality & Health). Spiritual experience, as Reb Zalman shows, repays every effort we make to acquire it.

An inspiring and practical guide to your life as a couple in the context of the Jewish holidays. Creative exercises and guided discussions help you connect to tradition, community and each other and find opportunities for spiritual and relational growth.