The first comprehensive resource for
spiritual direction in the Jewish tradition—
a vital resource for people involved in spiritual leadership.
a vital resource for people involved in spiritual leadership.
The essential reference for people who are
called to help others listen for God’s voice—not
only through prayer and sacred texts, but also through dance,
art and interactions with other people—this
groundbreaking volume draws on both Jewish tradition and the
classical foundations of spiritual direction to provide
invaluable guidance.
Offering insight into all aspects of
spiritual direction, including theology, practice,
companionship, group work and embodied spirituality, the
contributors to this guide are innovators in their fields and
represent all four contemporary Jewish movements. Topics
explored include:
Jewish Theologies and Jewish Spiritual Direction • The Vocabulary of Jewish Spiritual Direction • Spiritual Direction as a Contemplative Practice • Contemplation and Social Action • Cultivating a Hearing Heart • Spiritual Types • Community for Spiritual Direction • Spiritual Direction and the Cycle of Holy Time • Spiritual Companionship and the Passages of Life • Jewish Spiritual Direction and the Sacred Body • Integrating Spiritual Direction and Visual Creativity • and many more …
An exciting and practical addition to an
emerging field, this is the definitive guide for all who
accompany Jewish seekers on their spiritual journeys.
“A work of intelligence, depth and
enduring worth [that is] long overdue.”
—Rabbi
Martin S. Cohen, editor of Conservative Judaism magazine
“Adds fresh, new understandings of
spiritual guidance to long-treasured Jewish traditions of
seeking the face of God. Sit with it. Ponder it. Let it lead
you to prayer.”
—Mary Ann
Scofield, RSM, PhD, founding
member, Spiritual Directors International
“Admirably creates a vocabulary and
conceptual framework for this emerging field. Masterfully mines
Jewish tradition to ground spiritual direction in Jewish
theology, text and practice. An invaluable companion to those
who companion others on their spiritual journeys.”
—Rabbi
Dayle A. Friedman, editor of Jewish Pastoral Care, 2nd Edition: A Practical
Handbook from Traditional and Contemporary Sources
“A treasure trove.… Will
inspire its readers to new levels of Jewish spiritual
engagement and activism.”
—Rabbi
David Teutsch, author of Spiritual Community:
The Power to Restore Hope, Commitment and Joy
The Power to Restore Hope, Commitment and Joy
“An epochmaking event. This is not
just Christian spiritual direction with a Jewish patina; it is
fully and organically Jewish.”
—Rabbi
Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, DHL, author
of Spiritual Intimacy
“Deep, thoughtful and varied.... An
extraordinary collection of pioneering works that maps the
latest thinking in this important, emerging field of Jewish
spiritual life.”
—Rabbi
Nancy Flam, codirector of
programs, Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Barbara Eve Breitman, MSW, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, teacher and writer.
She has been at the forefront of the contemporary field of
Jewish spiritual direction. The first Jewish member of the
Coordinating Council of Spiritual Directors International, she
trains spiritual directors and teaches pastoral counseling at
the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. With Addison, she is
cofounder of Lev Shomea, the first institute to train spiritual
directors in the Jewish tradition.
