WISDOM SCHOOL
Music and Meditation-Based Bar & Bat Mitzvah Journey
Acquiring the Tools for Self-Mastery, Happiness and Life Purpose
Preparation and Ceremony with Reb Brian Yosef
Small Classes and One-On-One Tutoring
Tutoring on Zoom, Ceremonies Anywhere in the United States
Preparation and Ceremony with Reb Brian Yosef
Small Classes and One-On-One Tutoring
Tutoring on Zoom, Ceremonies Anywhere in the United States
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A Message from Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks:
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah is celebrated as a crucial and transformative milestone in the life of a young Jewish person. Traditionally, the ceremony affirms the young person's inclusion in communal spiritual life by being called to the Torah for the first time, chanting from the Torah and leading prayers.
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For traditional families who attend synagogue weekly, this can be a powerful rite of passage. But for many Jewish families who hardly ever attend synagogue, the traditional ceremony is often a one-time-only performance. And futhermore, learning for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is often so focused on the many Hebrew words to learn, there's hardly any time to really explore what any of it means, let alone tap into its sacred and transformative potential that lies beyond conceptual meaning.
In short, for many, it's a missed opportunity.
A Cure
Wisdom School cures this situation with meditation/mindfulness based, core Jewish spiritual practices, while fostering an experiential connection to Jewish community at that crucial moment leading into the teen years. With Wisdom School, students will be able to participate weekly in our online chanting and meditation services with the Torah of Awakening community, and over time, they will be invited to lead parts of the services. In this way, they will be able to lead their own b'nai mitzvah ceremonies with experience and confidence, guiding participants in practices that actually work.
This Program is Different
When I say these practices "actually work," I mean that the students will:
In short, for many, it's a missed opportunity.
A Cure
Wisdom School cures this situation with meditation/mindfulness based, core Jewish spiritual practices, while fostering an experiential connection to Jewish community at that crucial moment leading into the teen years. With Wisdom School, students will be able to participate weekly in our online chanting and meditation services with the Torah of Awakening community, and over time, they will be invited to lead parts of the services. In this way, they will be able to lead their own b'nai mitzvah ceremonies with experience and confidence, guiding participants in practices that actually work.
This Program is Different
When I say these practices "actually work," I mean that the students will:
- Learn to heal challenging emotions such as fear, anger, and self-doubt through awareness and Jewish meditation.
- Experience the healthful "high" of Jewish meditation and Hebrew chanting.
- Explore their own unique purpose and contribution to the world.
- Learn to read Hebrew, chant Torah and Haftorah, and lead Hebrew prayers.
- 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 awareness, not belief.
Jewish Wisdom through the Hebrew Letters
There is a wonderful Jewish tradition that each of the Hebrew letters contain a richness of meaning. In addition to meditation and chanting, students will learn both the practical, ethical, and spiritual lessons of the Hebrew letters, as well as learn to read and chant Hebrew. They will foster their own connections and original insights through lively, inspiring discussions and deep exploration both in the group and with individual, one-on-one guidance from me as well.
Participatory, Musical Ceremonies
For the actual ceremony, students will be able to co-create their service and lead what they've learned. These ceremonies will be fully participatory with everyone who attends; the Hebrew prayers will be short enough with transliteration for family and friends to chant and sing along, yet powerful enough to create a transformative rite of passage and group experience for everyone.
How Does the Program Work?
Duration: Between One and Two Years
The first year is spent learning, while the second year continues the learning and adds the planning and practicing of the ceremony and Torah chanting (if the student chooses to chant Torah). The ceremony can be planned for either after the two years are complete, or for during the second year- your choice.
Weekly Sessions:
Students meet as a group twice weekly, for a morning service on Sundays and for class on either Sundays or a weekday afternoon/evening, via Zoom. The times for the Sunday service are:
PT: 9:30 am, MT: 10:30 am, CT: 11:30 am, ET:12:30 pm
Students should aim to attend weekly, though missing sessions occasionally is not a problem. These weekly sessions happen about 30 weeks out of the year, for the duration of the program.
For the Sunday service, students participate in morning prayers and meditation with others in the Torah of Awakening community. Over time, students begin to lead different parts of the morning service, preparing them for leading their bar/bat mitzvah ceremony.
For the weekly class, students meet together with me for learning and discussion. Over time, students will gain the life-saving skills of meditation for physical and emotional wellbeing, while learning to lead others in Jewish prayer and ritual.
One-On-One Meetings: Twelve, 60-minute private sessions for for guidance in preparing their speech and addressing each student's unique path, scheduled individually.
Custom, In-Person Ceremony: I will travel to you and co-lead your ceremony along with your child, or we can hold the ceremony on Zoom if prefered. Ceremonies can be on Shabbat, or on Sunday or another weekday. Ceremony planning includes three, 60-minute planning meetings, and as many emails as it takes!
Materials: Students will receive their own Torah of Awakening siddur (prayerbook), as well as a binder with their Torah portion and materials for Torah study. For in-person ceremonies, I will also provide siddurim (prayerbooks) for use by your guests.
The first year is spent learning, while the second year continues the learning and adds the planning and practicing of the ceremony and Torah chanting (if the student chooses to chant Torah). The ceremony can be planned for either after the two years are complete, or for during the second year- your choice.
Weekly Sessions:
Students meet as a group twice weekly, for a morning service on Sundays and for class on either Sundays or a weekday afternoon/evening, via Zoom. The times for the Sunday service are:
PT: 9:30 am, MT: 10:30 am, CT: 11:30 am, ET:12:30 pm
Students should aim to attend weekly, though missing sessions occasionally is not a problem. These weekly sessions happen about 30 weeks out of the year, for the duration of the program.
For the Sunday service, students participate in morning prayers and meditation with others in the Torah of Awakening community. Over time, students begin to lead different parts of the morning service, preparing them for leading their bar/bat mitzvah ceremony.
For the weekly class, students meet together with me for learning and discussion. Over time, students will gain the life-saving skills of meditation for physical and emotional wellbeing, while learning to lead others in Jewish prayer and ritual.
One-On-One Meetings: Twelve, 60-minute private sessions for for guidance in preparing their speech and addressing each student's unique path, scheduled individually.
Custom, In-Person Ceremony: I will travel to you and co-lead your ceremony along with your child, or we can hold the ceremony on Zoom if prefered. Ceremonies can be on Shabbat, or on Sunday or another weekday. Ceremony planning includes three, 60-minute planning meetings, and as many emails as it takes!
Materials: Students will receive their own Torah of Awakening siddur (prayerbook), as well as a binder with their Torah portion and materials for Torah study. For in-person ceremonies, I will also provide siddurim (prayerbooks) for use by your guests.
If you are looking for a meaningful and transformative Jewish rite of passage for your child, request 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 Jewish spiritual teacher, a rabbi and 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, and Integral Jewish Meditation – Three Portals of Presence for Spiritual Awakening.
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. Rabbi Avram Davis (2004), and holds a Bachelor in Music from the Eastman School of Music (1991). Learn More...
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. Rabbi Avram Davis (2004), and holds a Bachelor in Music from the Eastman School of Music (1991). Learn More...