Tapestry Part II: Unblocking Zerizut
An inclusive Mussar course exploring middot through a feminine lens, combining traditional practices with a focus on spiritual growth and daily life integration.
Level: Intermediate |
Recommended Experience: One Year Mussar Studies (e.g. New Pathways to the Inner Life Course |
Format: 6 90-minute va'ad meetings, 5 chevruta meetings
Course Overview:
In response to the desire in the community to experience Mussar in a way that addresses a more inclusive approach, we have created an all-new course by and for women, with an open door to men. Tapestry II: UnBlocking Zerizut includes va'ad and chevruta sessions over Zoom, as well as practice assignments.
Written by TMI Mussar Faciltiator and staff member, Helaine Sheias, PhD, in this va'ad-based course, participants will explore our ancestral lineage of familiar Mussar teachings from a perspective that embraces a connective and collective emet (truth), which integrates both our inner and outer worlds. While this course was written by "women for women" this is not a "feminist" course in the political sense. We will be studying Torah, texts written by Mussar Masters who are historically male, as well as Mussar texts written in contemporary women's voices, including our own.
We will explore two middot: Charitzut v’Behira / Decisive Decision-Making and Zerizut / Enthusiastic Action. Each of these units includes two va’ad meetings and two chevruta meetings that will meet on alternate weeks. We will culminate with Integration va'ad and chevruta meetings, one of each. The integration lessons offer a creative, “taking it to heart” format. Through this process, participants will engage in their own decisive decision-making to bring enthusiastic action into their lives.
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.
Delivery: Live Web Meetings
Modalities: Va'ad and chevruta components, assigned practices
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Pricing for this course is:
Non-Chaverim Tier 1: $330
Non-Chaverim Tier 2: $282
Non-Chaverim Tier 3: $198
Chaverim members enjoy a 15% discount off of course pricing. Members, please select the Chaverim rate of your choice on your registration form, membership will be verified before your enrollment is secured for the course.
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*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 Manchim Advanced Facilitator Training. She has facilitated many TMI courses for the past three years guiding people to the sacred place within where unity integrates all polarities. This process facilitates circles of transformation and change by modeling spiritual awakening, and self-reflexive learning, or Hitlamdut.