The Shabbat Effect with Alan Morinis

Kallah XXII - Miami Beach JCC, FL - December 11-14, 2025

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Shabbat can shape who you are. Come experience how.

Kallah 2025 is our first in-person Kallah gathering since 2019. It’s a time to reconnect, reflect, and immerse in the spiritual rhythm of Shabbat.

This year, we focus on the power of Shabbat to transform our inner life. Alan Morinis’s new book, The Shabbat Effect, offers the starting point. Together with Alan Morinis, Avi Fertig, Helaine Sheias, and beloved TMI facilitators, we’ll explore Shabbat as a practice that nourishes the soul and deepens our path of personal growth.

Join us in Miami Beach, Florida, for a weekend of Mussar learning, prayer, chant, silence, and sacred rest. Step into Shabbat with intention and come away renewed.

You’ll enjoy:

  • Inspiring teachings from Alan Morinis, Avi Fertig, and Helaine Sheias

  • A spiritually rich Shabbat experience filled with meaning  and community

  • Beachside accommodations in Florida’s warm winter climate

  • Delicious kosher meals throughout the weekend

  • Time to connect, rest, reflect, and recharge

Featured Faculty

Alan Morinis, Helaine Sheias, and Avi Fertig will guide our time together with teaching, reflection, and spiritual practice throughout the weekend. Each brings a deep commitment to Mussar and years of experience helping others grow in wisdom, awareness, and connection.

Left to right: Alan Morinis, Founder of The Mussar Institute, Helaine Sheias, Faculty Member and Avi Fertig, Chief Programming Officer
Left to right: Alan Morinis, Founder of The Mussar Institute, Helaine Sheias, Faculty Member and Avi Fertig, Chief Programming Officer
Miami Beach JCc

Location & Dates

Location: Miami Beach Jewish Community Center

4221 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Kosher Catering by 17Restaurant

 

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Check in from 3:00-5:00 pm ET

Opening programming continues until 8:00 pm

 

Friday, December 12, 2025

7:00 am - 9:00 pm

 

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

8:00 am - 10:00 pm

 

Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

8:00 am - 12:00 pm

 

You can view the full schedule here.

Please note:

  • Registration fee includes all programming, learning materials, meals and beverages.
  • Hotel lodging not included in registration.
  • Attendees are responsible for their own accommodations.

 

Transportation & Lodging

The two most easily accessible airports for the Miami Beach JCC are Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Transportation to and from the retreat is not included. You are responsible for securing your own transportation; TMI staff cannot make these arrangements for you.

The MBJCC has no guest parking (its very small lot is for members only), so you will not be able to rent a car and drive it to the MBJCC. You may opt to park in the Miami Beach Municipal Garage on Sheridan Avenue (one block east) for $1 per hour.

Thus, we recommend reserving your lodging at a distance that you are comfortable walking to and from each day, or taking a car service such as Uber or Lyft.

TMI cannot arrange for daily transportation.

Several hotels are within walking distance of the Miami Beach JCC, from 3 to 5 star, unique boutique, familiar hotel brands, and kosher friendly for those who are shomer shabbos. We created a select list of hotels to help you in your search including rating, style, kosher friendly, pool and beach access, websites, addresses, and phone numbers.

We are working to secure discount room blocks for attendees. Details will be available soon.

Please direct all questions to info@mussarinstitute.org, please do not contact the Miami Beach JCC.

 

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Pricing

Registration fee includes all programming, learning materials, meals and beverages. Hotel lodging not included in registration. Attendees must make their own lodging arrangements.

Founder's Table for 6: $10,000 per Table

You and 5 friends will enjoy the full Kallah experience plus dine at the Founder's Table with Alan Morinis and his wife, Bev Spring, during ONE of three Shabbat meals (Friday dinner, Saturday lunch, or Saturday dinner). Only three Founder's Table reservations are available, and are assigned on a first come first served basis!

 

Tiered Pricing:

Tier 1: $1,350 per person

Tier 2: $1,150 per person

Tiered pricing charges higher for Tier 1 to partially subsidize Tier 2 for those who may need support attending the event. Please consider a Tier 1 registration if you are able to help more people join us for this special in-person Mussar community gathering.

 

MBJCC Member Rate: $950 per person

MBJCC membership will be verified before you reservation is considered final.

 

Pricing Schedule and Policy

Attendance capacity is limited! Payment in full is required by November 1, 2025, no exceptions (unless space remains available after deadline for late registrations).

For payment plan with deposit, payments are as scheduled:

September 4, 2025: $500 per person or $2,000 Founder's Table deposit due to reserve your registration. Late deposits will not be accepted unless space remains available.

October 2, 2025: Cancel by this date to receive a full refund on your deposit or full payment.

October 3, 2025: First of two remaining balance payments on your registration is due. Late payments will not be accepted and doing so cancels your registration to make space for someone on the waiting list. In such cases, your deposit will be refunded.

Founder's Table: $4,000

Tier 1 Per Person: $425

Tier 2 Per Person: $325

MBJCC Member Per Person: $225

November 3, 2025: Cancel by this date to receive a 50% refund of your Kallah payments to date. The non-refunded portion of your Kallah payments will convert to a donation to TMI.

November 4, 2025: The remaining balance payment on your registration is due including those paid by mail-in check. Late payments will not be accepted and doing so cancels your registration to make space for someone on the waiting list. In such cases, you will receive a 25% refund of your retreat payments to date. The non-refunded portion of your retreat payments will convert to a donation to TMI.

Founder's Table: $4,000

Tier 1 Per Person: $425

Tier 2 Per Person: $325

MBJCC Member Per Person: $225

November 5-10, 2025: Grace period for final payments by mail-in check. Cancel during this period to receive a 25% refund of your Kallah payments to date. The non-refunded portion of your Kallah payments will convert to a donation to TMI.

November 11-December 10, 2025: Cancel during this period (whether paid in full or on payment plan) forfeits refund of all Kallah payments made to date. You will not receive any refund for cancelling during this period. Non-refunded payments will convert to a donation to TMI. No shows at the Kallah also forfeit their right to any refund.

If all spaces fill, we will open a waiting list on the registration form with a deposit of $500. However, the waiting list does not guarantee a space, or the tier pricing level you desire. If a space opens and it’s your turn on the waiting list, we will notify you of the pricing tier open give you a choice to withdraw for a full refund of your deposit or pay the balance in full within 7 days but no later than November 11, 2025 as we must report our final attendance to MBJCC and the caterer 30 days in advance of our event.

 

Protect Your Trip

The Mussar Institute cannot refund payments made later than this published schedule with the exception of medical emergencies (including a positive COVID test or other contagious disease) or bereavement. We strongly recommend that attendees take out a travel insurance policy to cover potential losses due to last-minute unavoidable cancellations.

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Things To Do In The Area

Extending your stay? Below are some popular local attractions to consider.

Adrienne Arsht Center

Bass Museum

Carnival Center for the Performing Arts

Citibike Rentals

Espanola Way

Faena Forum

Fairchild Tropical Gardens

Free Miami Beach Trolley

Frost Museum

Hard Rock Stadium

Haulover Park

Holocaust Memorial of Miami Beach

Jewish Museum of Florida

Lincoln Road

Marlins Park

Miami Beach Boardwalk

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

New World Symphony

Ocean Beach

Ocean Drive

South Beach Art Deco Historical District

The Villa Casa Casuarina at The Former Versace Mansion

Viscaya Museum

Wolfson Museum