Virtual Programs

“We can practice being gentle with each other by being gentle with that piece of ourselves that is hardest to hold.” —Audre Lorde

As 21st-century human beings, the societal water we swim in encourages us to be hard on ourselves, despite the negative impact of harsh inner dialogue on our well-being and relationships. How do we learn to inhabit a more liberatory way of being that compassionately honors the challenges, joys, and mundane moments of being human? What are concrete steps we can take to develop a more compassionate relationship with ourselves, which can positively impact our relationships with others?

In the month before Pesach (Passover), join mindfulness teacher and Jewish educator Alison Cohen for this 4-week experiential course, an exploration of self-compassion and how to cultivate it. The course will draw on contemporary psychological research and relevant Jewish wisdom, as well as wisdom from other traditions.

Each interactive session will explore what self-compassion actually means and feels like through specific self-compassion cultivation meditations, optional written reflection, and discussion: no prior experience with meditation necessary!

Week 1: The Big 3 Practice

Week 2: Compassion Source Practice

Week 3: Giving & Receiving Practice

Week 4: Mechtav m’ahava (letter from love) Practice 

Participants will receive a detailed follow-up email after each class, which will include a recording of that week’s practice.

The Nechamah Minyan was started in January 2021 by Reb Geela Rayzel Raphael as a place to say kaddish (Jewish prayer for the dead) for her mom, Natalie Robinson, (Nechama Leah bat Elke v’Chayim). 

For Jews in mourning, it is traditional to say daily Kaddish in a minyan, which is a group of 10 or more persons. All who mourn, who are honoring yahrzeits, or who wish to participate in the mitzvah of making a minyan, are invited to join this important program.

If you would like to register, please reach out to Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael at rrayzel@shechinah.com.

If you are looking to attend a minyan taking place that evening, please contact Rabbi Geela Rayzel by 6 pm EDT.

If you’d like to be on the last-minute text list (to be contacted to participate in the mitzvah of making a minyan, in the case not enough are gathered) please reach out to Rabbi Geela Rayzel at the email above.

If you’d like to lead one of the evenings (creative, traditional, and all types of services are welcome!) please reach out to Rabbi Geela Rayzel at the email above.

If you would like to express your gratitude for this type of program, please feel free to make a donation HERE.

Date: Weekly on Wednesdays
Time: 11:30 am-12:30 pm ET (8:30-9:30 am PT) 
Cost: Pay-what-you-can 
Presenter: Rabbi Anne Brener

Description: Overwhelmed with stress from social distancing, quarantine, and COVID-19? Join Rabbi Anne Brener for a chanting and meditation service, using the structure of the morning service, to calm our bodies and connect our souls. There will be time for some check-in afterward.