Life is full of doing. Give yourself the gift of taking a breath and just being. In this Spiritual Practice Lab series we will create a quiet space apart from the business of daily life in order to focus on the art of being alive. Participants in this series will have the opportunity to learn Jewish mindfulness meditation and experience its benefits by doing it on a regular basis. Alongside our core practice of meditation we will also explore the Jewish contemplative practices of niggun (wordless melody) and Shabbat, among others. In each session, meditation periods will be interspersed with meditation instructions, kavanot (intentions), and contemplative singing. Absolutely no experience is necessary — those who are new to meditation and those with prior experience will both benefit from this series. Participants will be encouraged but not required to experiment with developing a regular meditation practice outside of our sessions. Those accustomed to meditating on the floor are invited to bring their own cushions.

Join us in the Spiritual Practice Lab for an all-levels Israeli dance class weaving together classic and modern and circle and line. These classes will include easy to follow dances and teaching. Take a break and let your legs do all the thinking! Rina Wagman’s parents met Israeli dancing, and she has been dancing for as long as she can remember. In college, she taught an Israeli dance PE class. In Boston, Rina has taught Israeli dance to people of all ages and abilities. She co-runs the two biggest Israeli dance sessions in the area and an annual Israeli dance camp as well as manages the fundraising for and performs in the Israel Folkdance Festival of Boston.