Fishman Institute Visiting Scholar – February 9-11
Rabbi Jonathan Slater
An introduction to the idea of Jewish practice as making "unifications" – internally, with others and the world; to speak about what it means to engage in "prayer as practice;" and living a life of intentionality as the goal of Jewish practice.
Friday Evening
"Shabbat As Incubation" – During 6 PM Services
Shabbat can be a time in which what we've done in the past week is transformed and raised up, allowing us to enter the coming week with energy and determination. We will reflect on the previous week, and sing our way into Shabbat.
"To Live Torah Today" – 8 PM following Joy of Shabbat Dinner*
What is the purpose of our Jewish religious practice? Of course it is to preserve tradition, and to fulfill the mitzvot. But, what are the mitzvot for? We will investigate together one way to answer this question.
Saturday Morning
"What is Prayer?" – Following Kiddush
Prayer is a central component of Jewish religious life. But when "going to services" is all that we know of prayer, it may feel alien, far from our own hearts. How else might we conceive of prayer, and find it in our own lives?
Sunday Morning
"Prayer as Practice" – Following 9 AM Services, during breakfast
What do we have to do to cultivate a personal prayer practice? How might doing so change how we understand, find our place in and seek satisfaction from our communal worship?
Note: Rabbi Slater's books are available in the Landau Gift Box.
Biography
Rabbi Jonathan Slater is one of the foremost teachers in the growing movement to transform Jewish life by integrating mindfulness and Jewish spiritual practice.
Rabbi Slater co-directs the Clergy Leadership Program and participates as staff in many other programs at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. He is a graduate of the Institute’s first rabbinic cohort, and the author of A Partner in Holiness: Deepening Mindfulness, Practicing Compassion and Enriching Our Lives through the Wisdom of R. Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev’s Kedushat Levi (Jewish Lights Publishing, 2014) and Mindful Jewish Living: Compassionate Practice (Aviv Press, 2004). Jonathan received his ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1979, and served as rabbi at Beth Am in Santa Rosa, California, for 19 years. He is on the faculty of Makom: Center for Mindfulness at the JCC in Manhattan, teaching and leading mindfulness meditation.
“I am constantly amazed and inspired at how the focused, sustained and honest inner work of our participants generates such deep personal transformation, inspired leadership and strong commitment to ease human suffering and sustain the world.”