"Freedom is always present, but not always revealed..."
"Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks is both a brilliant teacher and prayer leader. His approach to Torah text is innovative and insightful, and takes meditation to a new level of accessibility. I cannot recommend his work enough. As a teacher he is wise and inspiring. As a musician and spiritual leader the prayers come to life and seem to take flight within the heart and soul."
– Rabbi David Zaslow, Havurah Shir Hadash, Ashland, Oregon; author of Reimagining Exodus, Roots and Branches, and more
"Brian’s gentle guidance makes communion with the divine possible."
– Estelle Frankel, author of Sacred Therapy and The Wisdom of Not Knowing – Discovering a Life of Wonder by Embracing Uncertainty
“Reb Brian Yosef is an amazing spiritual teacher, able to inspire his students in profound ways that contribute to their spiritual transformation. And he is a masterful composer and musician. Bring him to your community—and he will plant seeds that will germinate for years to come.”
– Rabbi Burt Jacobson, founder of Kehilla Community Synagogue, Oakland, California; author of This Precious Moment: The Wisdom of the Ba'al Shem Tov
“Reb Brian Yosef is a breath of spiritual fresh air in a world that is too often stuffy with solemn vapors. He makes Jewish spirituality relevant and doable.”
– Rabbi Hazzan Avraham Alpert, Congregation Bet Shalom, Tucson, Arizona
"Brian brought a depth of insight to the experience of Jewish meditation, guided by his loving presence, that made everyone feel at ease. His teachings made me want to know more and reminded of how much beauty and Divine connection is possible
in our tradition."
– Cantor Risa Wallach, Congregation B'nai Shalom, Walnot Creek, California
“Judaism comes to life in Brian’s presence – he embodies what he teaches, and this is invaluable! As his student, I have been inspired to know myself more fully, and to become more dedicated to my own quest for meaning, understanding, connection, and integrity. He is a fantastic teacher!”
– Rachel Walker, Torah of Awakening student
“The teachings always seem to be just what I need at the time!”
-Pearl Werfel, Torah of Awakening student
“Brian's ability to synthesize the deep wisdom of the Jewish tradition
with his own insights on the power of presence and acceptance of reality has been a great gift to me.”
– Cyrise Beatty, cantorial soloist, meditation teacher
Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks is a Jewish spiritual teacher and musician. He has been teaching the practice of Presence (meditation, mindfulness) and Judaism since 2006, and founded of Torah of Awakening in 2015. Reb Brian Yosef received s’miha (ordination) as Minister of Sacred Music (Reb Yosef Briah Zohar, Menatzeiakh, Ba’al Tefilah) from Reb Zalman z”l (2012), Spiritual Teacher and Awakener of Souls (Morei Rukhani uM’oreir N’shamot) from Shaykh Ibrahim Baba Farajaje (may his secret be sanctified) and Rabbi SaraLeya Schley (2012), certification as Teacher of Jewish Meditation (Moreh L’hitbodedut) from Dr. Avram Davis (2004), and holds a Bachelor in Music from the Eastman School of Music (1991). He lives with wife Lisa and two children in Tucson, Arizona.
Full Bio
– Rabbi David Zaslow, Havurah Shir Hadash, Ashland, Oregon; author of Reimagining Exodus, Roots and Branches, and more
"Brian’s gentle guidance makes communion with the divine possible."
– Estelle Frankel, author of Sacred Therapy and The Wisdom of Not Knowing – Discovering a Life of Wonder by Embracing Uncertainty
“Reb Brian Yosef is an amazing spiritual teacher, able to inspire his students in profound ways that contribute to their spiritual transformation. And he is a masterful composer and musician. Bring him to your community—and he will plant seeds that will germinate for years to come.”
– Rabbi Burt Jacobson, founder of Kehilla Community Synagogue, Oakland, California; author of This Precious Moment: The Wisdom of the Ba'al Shem Tov
“Reb Brian Yosef is a breath of spiritual fresh air in a world that is too often stuffy with solemn vapors. He makes Jewish spirituality relevant and doable.”
– Rabbi Hazzan Avraham Alpert, Congregation Bet Shalom, Tucson, Arizona
"Brian brought a depth of insight to the experience of Jewish meditation, guided by his loving presence, that made everyone feel at ease. His teachings made me want to know more and reminded of how much beauty and Divine connection is possible
in our tradition."
– Cantor Risa Wallach, Congregation B'nai Shalom, Walnot Creek, California
“Judaism comes to life in Brian’s presence – he embodies what he teaches, and this is invaluable! As his student, I have been inspired to know myself more fully, and to become more dedicated to my own quest for meaning, understanding, connection, and integrity. He is a fantastic teacher!”
– Rachel Walker, Torah of Awakening student
“The teachings always seem to be just what I need at the time!”
-Pearl Werfel, Torah of Awakening student
“Brian's ability to synthesize the deep wisdom of the Jewish tradition
with his own insights on the power of presence and acceptance of reality has been a great gift to me.”
– Cyrise Beatty, cantorial soloist, meditation teacher
Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks is a Jewish spiritual teacher and musician. He has been teaching the practice of Presence (meditation, mindfulness) and Judaism since 2006, and founded of Torah of Awakening in 2015. Reb Brian Yosef received s’miha (ordination) as Minister of Sacred Music (Reb Yosef Briah Zohar, Menatzeiakh, Ba’al Tefilah) from Reb Zalman z”l (2012), Spiritual Teacher and Awakener of Souls (Morei Rukhani uM’oreir N’shamot) from Shaykh Ibrahim Baba Farajaje (may his secret be sanctified) and Rabbi SaraLeya Schley (2012), certification as Teacher of Jewish Meditation (Moreh L’hitbodedut) from Dr. Avram Davis (2004), and holds a Bachelor in Music from the Eastman School of Music (1991). He lives with wife Lisa and two children in Tucson, Arizona.
Full Bio