WISDOM SCHOOL
Bar & Bat Mitzvah Journey with Rabbi Brian Yosef
(B'nai Mitzvah; B'Mitzvah)
Preparation and Ceremony
Small Classes and Individual Guidance
Chanting Torah, Leading Prayers
Deep Learning, Jewish Meditation
Community Connection
Tutoring on Zoom, Ceremonies Anywhere
Small Classes and Individual Guidance
Chanting Torah, Leading Prayers
Deep Learning, Jewish Meditation
Community Connection
Tutoring on Zoom, Ceremonies Anywhere
Rabbi Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks
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"Rabbi Brian’s b'nai mitzvah program has been so great for my twelve-year-old daughter in preparing for her bat mitzvah. Brian brings depth and meaning to the service. The kids do not merely learn to recite the prayers. They learn take joy in the practice and to truly lead the service. Brian is an attentive listener and an engaging teacher. Most amazingly, through gentle persistence, Brian has gotten my daughter and me well on our way to a daily (or most days) meditation practice that has been keeping us connected in these ‘tween times."
– Parent of 2018/19 Participant |
Watch video below to get a sense of the classes and ceremonies:
Photo by Barbara Butkus
With Wisdom School, Students will...
- Learn to read Hebrew, chant Torah and Haftorah, and lead Hebrew prayers.
- Explore Hebrew wisdom texts through lively, inspiring discussions and deep exploration.
- Learn and practice leading prayers in our weekly online service, fostering connection to community and building a deep Jewish foundation, rather than merely practicing for a one-time performance.
- Learn practical skills for mental & emotional wellness and experience the healthful "high" of meditation.
- Explore their unique purpose with their own "mitzvah" project in the form of volunteer work or other independent project.
- Gain a strong foundation in Torah and Jewish spirituality from an "Integral" point of view.*
* "Integral" means keeping the best from past tradition, while integrating inclusivity, egalitarianism and universalism, transcending dogmas and out-dated belief systems, and fostering an experiential connection with Jewish spirituality based on the cultivation of awareness.
Why is Meditation Important for Children?
In numerous studies over the last 15 years, meditation has been shown to improve mood and happiness, relieve stress, support the immune system, sharpen memory and concentration, stimulate creativity, and much more. These benefits are crucial for everyone, but especially for pre-teens in today's world.
Furthermore, many people don't realize that meditation is Jewish!
Jewish meditation, together with with deep learning, singing, and community, fosters an experiential connection with Torah and traditional prayers that really brings them to life, rather than being merely mechanical and by rote. With Wisdom School, students will experience the real benefits of meditation, together with all the traditional skills needed for becoming b'nai mitzvah, to the degree that each student is able.
Furthermore, many people don't realize that meditation is Jewish!
Jewish meditation, together with with deep learning, singing, and community, fosters an experiential connection with Torah and traditional prayers that really brings them to life, rather than being merely mechanical and by rote. With Wisdom School, students will experience the real benefits of meditation, together with all the traditional skills needed for becoming b'nai mitzvah, to the degree that each student is able.
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How Does the Program Work?
If you are looking for a meaningful and transformative Jewish rite of passage for your child, give me a call or send me an email – I look forward to talking with you!
All blessings,
Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks
All blessings,
Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks
Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks is a rabbi and a musician. He has been teaching Jewish spirituality to children and adults since 2000, and founded the online Jewish Meditation community, Torah of Awakening, in 2016. He is the author of Kabbalah for Beginners published by Rockridge Press.
Reb Brian Yosef received rabbinic s’miha (ordination) in the Renewal tradition and lineage of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi z”l through Rabbi David Zaslow and a group of rabbis at Havurah Shir Hadash in Ashland, Oregon in 2023. Prior to that, he received ordination as Minister of Sacred Music from Reb Zalman z”l (2012), Spiritual Teacher from Shaykh Ibrahim Baba Farajaje (may his secret be sanctified) and Rabbi SaraLeya Schley (2012), certification as Teacher of Jewish Meditation from Dr. Rabbi Avram Davis (2004), and holds a Bachelor in Music from the Eastman School of Music (1991).
Reb Brian Yosef received rabbinic s’miha (ordination) in the Renewal tradition and lineage of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi z”l through Rabbi David Zaslow and a group of rabbis at Havurah Shir Hadash in Ashland, Oregon in 2023. Prior to that, he received ordination as Minister of Sacred Music from Reb Zalman z”l (2012), Spiritual Teacher from Shaykh Ibrahim Baba Farajaje (may his secret be sanctified) and Rabbi SaraLeya Schley (2012), certification as Teacher of Jewish Meditation from Dr. Rabbi Avram Davis (2004), and holds a Bachelor in Music from the Eastman School of Music (1991).
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