Have you ever asked yourself the following questions:
What kind of human being am I? What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? What can I do that will help me become a better person? How does who I am impact others and the world around me?
Mussar offers an answer. The study and practice of Mussar is a centuries old Jewish tradition that fosters personal and spiritual growth. It is as relevant today as it was 1000 years ago.
You can live a meaningful, ethical life by examining your inner middot, soul traits, and cultivating behavior that is an expression of the best version of yourself. Mussar will guide you toward overcoming your inner obstacles. As you improve the quality of you own character, you will improve the relationships you have with others. Through personal transformation, you will improve the civility of the world in which we live.
Together we will exercise our souls using text study, group discussion, study with a chevruta (partner), journaling and experiential practices.
The following courses are being offered by the TST Center for Jewish Spirituality:
Mussar 1 – Beginner
No prior Mussar experience necessary
Wednesdays, 10/30, 11/13, 11/27, 12/11, 1/8/2025, 1/22/2025 and 2/5/2025
7:15 to 8:45 on Zoom (with an opportunity to meet in person for one or more of the sessions if the group chooses to do so)
We will be exploring six-character traits (middot) including Humility, Anger, Gratitude and others. Guidance on the practice of Mussar, including how to study Mussar texts, will be provided.
Class size is limited to 10.
Register here Mussar 1 – Event – Temple Shir Tikva (shulcloud.com)
Mussar 2
Facilitated by Jeff Maimon
Prerequisite: Mussar 1
We will explore various middot including Patience, Forgiveness, Simplicity, Loving Kindness, Strength and Faith
Tuesday evenings, 7:15-8:45 ; Group sessions held 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22, 5/6, and 5/20
Meetings to be held via Zoom unless class agrees otherwise
Class size limited – 10
Note: If you know you will have to miss more than one session, please do not register at this time and wait until a future class is offered
and your schedule permits full participation.
Register here Mussar 2 – Event – Temple Shir Tikva (shulcloud.com)
Mussar 3
Prerequisite: Mussar 1 & 2 (or more)
We will explore various middot including Silence, Joy, Friendship, Balance and Equanimity
Tuesday evenings, 7:15-8:45 ; Group Sessions held 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29, and 5/13
Meetings to be held via Zoom unless class agrees otherwise
Class size limited – 10
Note: If you know you will have to miss more than one session, please do not register at this time and wait until a future class is offered
and your schedule permits full participation.
Register here Mussar 3 – Event – Temple Shir Tikva (shulcloud.com)
Mussar 4
Prerequisite: Mussar 1-3
Facilitated by Caryl Shaw
The journey continues with an exploration of the middot/traits of Order, Attentive Listening, Responsibilitiy, Courage, Judgement, rebuke and Passover through a Mussar Lens.
Tuesday evenings at TST, 7:15- 8:45 pm, on 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29
Members $180 Non-members $216
Scholarships available; please contact Cantor Hollis
Register here Mussar 4 – Event – Temple Shir Tikva (shulcloud.com)
Mussar 5 for Parents
Prerequisite: Mussar 1-4 for Parents
Facilitated by Caryl Shaw
We will explore the middot/traits of Compassion, Truth, Love, Generosity, Peace, Awe and Holiness.
Sunday mornings at TST, 9:15 – 10:45 am, on 1/26, 2/2, 3/2, 3/16, 3/30, 4/6, 5/4
Members $180 Non-members $216
Scholarships available; please contact Cantor Hollis
Register here Mussar 5 – Event – Temple Shir Tikva (shulcloud.com)
Advanced Mussar: Showing up for Yourself and Others
Prerequisite: 4 TST Mussar courses
Facilitated by Caryl Shaw
Class size limited to 10. If oversubscribed, a lottery will be held.
Take a deep dive into the middah/trait of Achrayut/Responsibility based on Hillel’s aphorism “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” We will explore how other traits can support our struggle to accept and balance our Responsibility to ourselves and others.
Thursday mornings on Zoom, 9:30 – 10:45 am, 2/6, 2/20, 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17, 5/1
Members $180 Non-members $216
Scholarships available; please contact Cantor Hollis
If you’d like more information, please contact Caryl at
Register here Advanced Mussar – Event – Temple Shir Tikva (shulcloud.com)
Scholarships are available. Please discuss with Cantor Hollis.
Note: All Mussar classes have limited registration in order to provide an intimate class experience. Registration will close ONE WEEK before classes are scheduled to begin. If more students register than can be accommodated, instructors will hold a lottery. You will be notified a few days before the class is scheduled to begin to confirm your registration.