The Mussar Institute is partnering with Central Agency for Jewish Education, the Sisterhood of Congregation Shaare Emeth and the Jewish Community Center to offer the community two sessions of the 14-week “A Season of Mussar I” course, starting Sunday, Jan. 26 and Wednesday, Feb. 19, respectively. The class is designed as an introduction to the study and practice of the Jewish tradition of Mussar, which offers a body of literature, a way of looking at the world, an ethical philosophy and a spiritual discipline of transformative practices that may help serve as a guide to facing the challenges of everyday life.  Mussar also refers to a movement that developed primarily in Lithuania in the 19^th century under the leadership of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter.

Mussar is experiencing a revival across the country, and many have found that the teachings of Mussar are as applicable now as they were in centuries past.

The first class starts Jan. 26 and takes place Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive.   Mussar Institute facilitator trainee Lesley Levin will lead the session. This Mussar Institute course is coordinated by the Sisterhood of Congregation Shaare Emeth and CAJE. The cost of the program is $136, all materials included.  To register please contact  Cyndee Levy at 314-442-3754 or [email protected].

The second session begins Feb. 19 and takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the JCC’s Marilyn Fox Building, 16801 Baxter Road in Chesterfield. Aaron Wahl, a Mussar Institute facilitator trainee, will this session. The cost is $136 and includes all materials. To register, contact Brad Horwitz at 314-442-3271 or [email protected]. This course is coordinated by the JCC’s Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life and CAJE.