Teen Mussar

Explore the Jewish spiritual practice of Mussar by focusing on a different virtue, or middah, each session.

Mussar became a movement with actual practices for cultivating character under the leadership of Rabbi Israel Salanter during the nineteenth century. The Mussar movement came to be in part because its founder Rabbi Salanter was concerned that the yeshivot of his time were training Torah scholars who were devoid of menschlikheit, of good decent character. He wanted Torah learning to be applied to character development so that students might become wise and compassionate, not merely learned.

The Chai Mitzvah Teen Mussar curriculum features 9 beautifully illustrated sourcebooks featuring texts to spark meaningful discussions, links to videos, supplemental materials, and practices to cultivate each middah. Additionally, one set of Adult sourcebooks is sent to each registered group to use for background reference, or for groups that would like to delve deeper into text study.

MUSSAR TOPICS: Wisdom/Chochma, Generosity/N’divut, Compassion/Rachamim, Spiritual Friendship/Chevruta, Equanimity/Menuchat HaNefesh, Order/Seder, Trust/Bitachon, Gratitude/Hakarat Ha-Tov, Humility/Anavah

Groups:

Teen groups are generally formed through organizations such as schools and youth groups.

1. No registration fee
2. Digital Materials – perfect for SmartBoard or tablet, just $18 per set of Sourcebooks
3. Stipends for pilot groups, Summer Israel Travel Stipends available for students
4. Connect with other educators and the Chai Mitzvah community through a Facebook group and Instagram

Click here  to see a sample Teen Mussar sourcebook.

Click here  to Register for a Teen Mussar group

Click here  to view the Teen Mussar Tutorials

Click here to order materials.

For questions, please contact:  Nina Woldin:  nina@chaimitzvah.org