WISDOM SCHOOL
Bar & Bat Mitzvah Journey with Rabbi Brian Yosef
Testimonials and Notes Received from Parents:
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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 Student |
"My children are loving learning from Rabbi Brian, and it makes my heart happy to hear them practicing, studying, and just having conversations about the tree of life, the universe, and their connectedness to it all:-). Thank you for giving them that curiosity to want to learn!"
- Parent of 2023/24 Student
- Parent of 2023/24 Student
"Rabbi Brian has an ability to resonate and connect with his students while also maintaining a firm commitment to their Jewish education. His blend of deep thinking and emotional intelligence is ideal for kids so that they may both learn and experience personal growth and development. I highly recommend Brian for a wide range of kids with different learning styles."
- Parent of 2023/24 Student
- Parent of 2023/24 Student
"Last night after class, I asked the kids how it went, and they both screamed “so much fun!” I don’t know what you are doing, but I can assure you that I never left a Hebrew School class at Temple Beth Moshe and described it as “so much fun!” lol! "
- Parent of 2023/24 Student
- Parent of 2023/24 Student
Rabbi Brian’s b’nai mitzvah program was a very positive experience for my daughter! She felt very prepared for her ceremony, and I really appreciated the way Brian focused on the deeper meanings of the prayers. Also, Brian taught the kids to meditate, and he added layers of meditation to simple traditional rituals which my daughter experienced over the course of the program. These practices infused her whole year of preparation with a spirit of calm and contemplation. I highly recommend this program!
– Parent of 2018/19 Student
– Parent of 2018/19 Student
More Testimonials...
"Reb Brian Yosef 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, Walnut 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, student
“The teachings always seem to be just what I need at the time!”
-Pearl Werfel, 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
“The real thing”
– Jeffrey Kessler, Tai Chi and meditation teacher
– 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, Walnut 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, student
“The teachings always seem to be just what I need at the time!”
-Pearl Werfel, 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
“The real thing”
– Jeffrey Kessler, Tai Chi and meditation teacher
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).