Application Fee: $120
This application fee includes access to The Gift of Awareness, the IJS 8-week online course which provides instruction in the fundamentals of Jewish mindfulness meditation. Prior to attending the first retreat, all participants are required to complete this course. Access to the course, and participation in it, will be granted regardless of whether or not one is accepted into the program. We will notify you when the course becomes available.
If accepted to the program, expect an acceptance letter by September 9, 2022.
Application Questions:
Please take some time to consider the following questions before submitting your application. You may draft them in a separate document and paste them into the application. Please keep each answer to 500 words (3,000 characters).
How do you experience your spiritual life? Where do you turn to nurture it?
Describe some of the greatest challenges to your spiritual life and how you might work with them.
How do you see yourself as a spiritual guide for others?
How do you think this program might help you in your personal and professional life?
How do you see yourself as a change agent in your community? You might wish to address any or all of these areas (and any others you think apply): personal transformation, communal culture, the governance of the organization, institutional change, communal change.
Jewish Mindfulness Meditation: During the course of the program we will engage in Jewishly-grounded mindfulness meditation in community as a core spiritual practice. Do you have any reservations about engaging in this form of practice?
Text Study in Chevruta: During the course of the program we will be studying a variety of Jewish texts, in Hebrew (with English translations), in groups and with a chevruta partner. Do you have any reservations about engaging in this form of study?
Singing Practice: During the course of the program we will engage in singing as personal spiritual practice, in prayer and in groups (large and small). Do you have any reservations about engaging in this form of practice?
Are there experiences that you have had in the past that are currently causing you stress and that might impact your ability to participate in this program?
We aspire to create a diverse cohort. Please speak to any intersecting identities you may hold, and the kinds of support you will need or want to feel held in the fullness of your humanity.
Click here to see full details on the Clergy Leadership Program.
We reserve the right to accept or deny participants on a case by case basis.
