Yedidya Center

The Morei Derekh Jewish spiritual direction program is a two-year, residency-based distance-learning curriculum that uses a multiplicity of learning modes:

• Two five-day residencies each year
• Formal spiritual direction in one’s home community
• Weekly telephone meeting with chevruta partner for study, spiritual companionship, and Mussar work (soul development)
• Monthly telephone classes
• Monthly communication with faculty
• Monthly va’ad (personal study group) with fellow students
• Assigned reading and reflection papers
• Personal daily spiritual practice
• Participation in an ongoing spiritual community dedicated to learning and service

During Year Two, students will also:

• Offer spiritual guidance to a limited number of directees
• Receive supervision

Students must be able to attend all of the training residencies and be receiving formal spiritual direction for at least six months prior to the start of the program. Retreats alternate between the East and West Coasts. All applicants must have or be willing to develop a regular and committed Jewish spiritual practice.

Residency dates for our next training program are June 3-8, 2007;
November 4-9, 2007; May 18 - 23, 2008 and November 9-14, 2008

Tuition is $2,000 per year plus approximately $700-900 per residency.
Tuition does not include cost of books, travel, conference calls, spiritual direction or supervision.

Applications and a $100 application fee are due March 1, 2007.
Applications are available below.

Morei Derekh is a transdenomenational program. Our students and staff are affiliated with various Jewish denominations. The Morei Derekh training program is available to people with accessibility issues, in interfaith relationships, and LBGT friendly.

The Morei Derekh Faculty

Linda Thal, co-director, is a Jewish educator who pioneered the early work in synagogue transformation. She teaches at Makom, the Center for Contemplative Judaism at the JCC in Manhattan and has served as a consultant to the Central Conference of American Rabbis’ Committee on Rabbinic Spirituality. She trained in spiritual direction at Fordham University and spiritual direction supervision at The Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA.

Wendie Bernstein Lash, co-director, is a Jewish meditation and spirituality teacher. She is a sh’lichat tzibor for a contemplative chanting service at Congregation Etz Chayim in Palo Alto, CA and leads groups and workshops on Jewish spirituality. She trained in spiritual direction in the first Morei Derekh cohort and in group spiritual direction and spiritual direction supervision at The Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA.

Alan Morinis is an active interpreter of the Jewish spiritual and ethical tradition of Mussar. He teaches and lectures widely and directs a distance learning program in Mussar. He is the author of Climbing Jacob’s Ladder. His new book, The Way of the Soul, will be published in 2007.

Anne Brener is a psychotherapist and spiritual director. She is the author of Mourning and Mitzvah and numerous articles on pastoral counseling. She is a senior rabbinic student at Hebrew Union College and teaches at The Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles. She trained in spiritual direction at Centerpoint/Stillpoint: Center for Christian Spirituality and spiritual direction supervision at The Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA.

Myriam Klotz is a Reconstructionist rabbi, a certified yoga teacher and the Director of Yoga and Embodied Practice at the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. She is co-director of the Yoga and Jewish Spirituality Teacher Training Program at the Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality. Myriam’s recordings include Preparing the Heart: Yoga for Jewish Spiritual Practice. She is a spiritual director at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where she received training in spiritual direction.

Applications for the new Morei Derekh cohort are available now. It has three parts: a cover letter, application, and reference form (all in Microsoft Word .doc format.) You may also contact our office to request an application or brochure.