Through Evolve, we we provide deep, thoughtful, challenging materials to rabbis, professionals and educated laypeople, and provide forums for discussing and reflecting on these materials with respect.
Spiritual Practice
Related Resources
What does Judaism teach us about how to respond to accusations of harassment or assault?
Rabbi Shelly Barnathan, the 2017 Launch Grant recipient, is busy creating a co-constructed network of baby boomers and empty nesters, a commonly-overlooked generation within the Jewish community. Her project, Or Zarua, features "holy conversations" over coffee and musical Shabbat dinners.
At Rosh Hashanah, as we turn to new beginnings, we seek to repent—to do teshuvah—for what we have done wrong. And we can also affirmatively foster ourselves toward resilience—toward a thriving, loving outlook in spite of whatever challenges we encounter in life. In this video, I explore themes of resilience embedded into Jewish practice.
Introductory essay in God Loves the Stranger
Sometimes we need to consciously welcome those who "should" already feel close.
Rabbi Shefa Gold reflects on creating a spiritual community of welcome
As empty nesters open their home to strangers via AirBnB, they find that hospitality has spiritual lessons to teach.
In an essay for eJewishPhilanthropy, Rabbi Deborah Waxman delves into Jewish history and tradition around resilience — the focus of our new podcast, Hashivenu.
Rabbi Jacob Staub reflects on the spirituality of anger, patience, and healing.
How will you sustain your spirit through your next four years, your lifetime? Do you wonder how you can show up for challenging times with compassion, courage, equanimity and joy? Spirit in Practice, a podcast miniseries, answers these and other questions through lively discussion among emerging leaders and religious teachers of many faiths who are exploring social activism and spiritual practices.
D'VAR TORAH
Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20
Study sheet on the relationship between Parashat Nitzavim and themes of teshuvah.
D'VAR TORAH
Numbers 13:1-15:41
What is the meaning of the fringes (tzitzit) on a Jewish prayer shawl (tallit)? Rabbi Toba Spitzer examines the sources.
D'VAR TORAH
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
What does it mean to be commanded to be joyful? Rabbi Toba Spitzer unpacks this imperative from Parashat Ki Tavo.
D'VAR TORAH
Exodus 18:1-20:26
The Ten Commandments tell us not to "covet." What does that mean? This study sheet explores sources related to this issue.
This study sheet on teshuvah and compassion draws our attention to the interplay between our ability to forgive others, and God's ability to forgive us.
D'VAR TORAH
Leviticus 16:1-34; 18: 1-30
A study sheet on the evolving concept of teshuvah over the ages.
D'VAR TORAH
Leviticus 16:1-34; 18: 1-30
Since Reconstructionist Judaism affirms a conception of God as a force, power or process — but not as a supernatural Being who can be addressed and can respond — what happens to the notion of sin? Rabbi Richard Hirsh argues that Reconstructionist theology makes it more, not less, important that we take on the responsibility for judgment, atonement, apology and repentance
What does Reconstructionism have to do with Jewish law? According to Daniel Cederbaum, far more than you think.
Archive of a group conversation among Jewish educators about teaching Jewish obligation in a progressive religious setting
A perspective on forgiveness as a spiritual practice as well as a moral act
Reflections on teaching and learning virtuous behavior
