Tapestry: Mussar Through a Woman's Lens
Join this journey into Mussar through women’s perspectives and lived experience. We will engage mind, body, heart, and soul in practice, creating a tapestry of wisdom that enriches daily life. All are welcome to this inclusive space for growth and connection.
Level: Intermediate |
Recommended Experience: One Year Mussar Studies (e.g. New Pathways to the Inner Life Course |
Format: Small Group | 6 Sessions |
Course Overview:
Tapestry invites you to bring your whole self into Mussar practice. Together we will learn from women’s voices, sacred stories, and our own lived experiences, discovering how Mussar can support authenticity, intimacy, and joy in daily life.
This course offers space to embrace life’s many layers and honor the complexity of who we are. Through small-group sharing (va’ad), partner study (chevruta), and embodied practices, we will weave a living tapestry of wisdom where every participant’s voice adds richness and color.
The Middot We Will Explore:
• Charitzut v’Behira / Decisive Choice Making
• Zerizut / Action-Based Enthusiasm
What You Will Find in This Course:
• Women’s Voices: Teachings and insights from women commentators and biblical figures
• Embodied Practice: Creative exercises that engage heart, body, mind, and spirit
• Inclusive Community: A warm circle of seekers where all experiences are welcomed and valued
Mussar is experienced through a feminine lens, nurturing, creative, and deeply connected.
What Participants Say:
“Wonderful teacher, wonderful course, wonderful classmates!”
- Lynne Raxlen
“It is amazing to view Mussar through a woman's lens. I felt closer to the teachings.”
- Lesley Levin
“For me, this was a powerful combination. This was a great learning for me and helped me make some changes for the coming year.“
- Natalie Kirsh
“This is a course for anyone who wants to take their Mussar practice to deeper levels that open up opportunities to explore one’s spiritual path and engage with all their middot in more profound ways.”
- Sharon Schwartz
Format and Delivery:
Requirement: Completion of at least one year of TMI va'ad-based coursework, such as Pathway to the Inner Life I-III or equivalent.
Duration: 6 va'ad meetings, 5 chevruta meetings over 11 weeks.
Delivery: Live Web Meetings
Format: Va'ad and chevruta components, assigned practices
Sessions/Facilitators:
Nancy Weiss, Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm ET, 10/22/2025-1/7/2026
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Tuition (3-Tier Pricing):
Tier 1 - $330 (Supporter Rate: Covers full costs and helps others access Mussar)
Tier 2 - $282 (Sustainer Rate: Covers the full cost of your course)
Tier 3 - $198 (Accessible Rate: A reduced price for those who need it)
*All course fees are 100% tax deductible.
Course Authors:
Helaine Sheias, Ph.D., made Aliyah to Israel in her teens, served in the IDF, and settled in Israel for more than two decades. She is a graduate of The Mussar Institute Yesod Facilitator Training Program and the Manchim Advanced Facilitator Training. She is currently the Director of Facilitator and Program Development, after joining the TMI Staff a few years ago. Helaine continues to facilitate a variety of courses, in which her Va'adim become circles of transformation and change by modeling spiritual awakening, and self-reflexive learning, or Hitlamdut. Facilitating Mussar courses offers Helaine a continuous sense of awe and wonderment as it continuously strengthens her personal spiritual practice. Helaine currently resides near Haifa Israel and is blessed with 3 amazingly wondrous grandchildren who bring her great joy and nachas.
Nancy Weiss served for the past decade as the Trainer of TMI's Manchim Advanced Facilitator Training Program. She is a depth psychotherapist, spiritual director, and is dedicated to helping others discover unique pathways to their soul’s expression. A collage artist, poet, and SoulCollage® facilitator, Nancy guides people in bringing an expressive voice to the Mussar traits and spiritual principles. Her collage art appears in Midrashic Mirrors, which illustrates the richness of creating art to reflect the essence of each Torah portion.