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Reb Brian Yosef's Awakening through Jewish Meditation workshops help participants access the transformational power of Presence (aka "mindfulness") for greater peace, wellness and direct experience of inner freedom, through unique practices from the Jewish esoteric tradition. All are welcome, regardless of belief or background.
Spiritual awakening is the realization that you are far more than your thoughts and feelings. Beneath your personality, there’s a radiant field of awareness, free from negativity and connected to the aliveness of the present moment. Although Presence is incredibly simple, most people find it difficult to access and integrate. Integral Jewish Meditation brings to life the Presence-deepening teachings and practices of Judaism in a direct and experiential way, and offers tools to bring the power of Presence into every moment of daily life. Reb Brian Yosef leads 90 minute workshops where participants will learn the basic practices, including Hebrew chanting (tefilah), focused intention (kavanah), and deep silence (shtika). Reb Brian Yosef is also available for Shabbatons. He has eighteen years experience leading musical and meditative Shabbat services in the Bay Area with his band, BRIAH. See videos below for a taste of his Shabbat services. |
Learn More about Reb Brian Yosef's teaching:
See his weekly teachings here. Email Brian to request a free copy his ebook/audiobook. Fees: Email Brian to discuss. Brian is happy to work with you to create a program that works for your organization. Brian can also offer longer courses, depending on the needs of your organization. Resumé:
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Here's A Taste:
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"Buddha at the Gas Pump" Interview, February 2017:
Live Teaching:
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"HFSS" Podcast Interview, aired December 2020:
A Taste of Reb Brian Yosef's Musical Services:
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Brian Yosef's passion and mission is helping people experience peace, wellness and joy. He is excited to partner with retreat centers, wellness centers, synagogues, JCCs and other organizations to bring this about through these transformational teachings and practices.
List of Organizations That Featured Reb Brian Yosef's Programs:
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Chochmat HaLev, Berkeley, California
Beth Chaim Congregation, Daniville, California Congregation B'nai Shalom, Walnut Creek Kehillah Community Synagogue, Oakland, California Temple Sinai, Oakland, California Kol Shofar, Tiburon, California Peninsula Temple Beth El, San Mateo, California Zazen SF, San Francisco, California Jewish Community of Sedona, Sedona, Arizona Ruach Hamidbar, Scottsdale, Arizona ALEPH Kallahs, 2018, 2014 Jewish History Museum, Tucson, Arizona Jewish Community Center, Tucson, Arizona Urban Adamah, Berkeley, California Limmud AZ Event, Phoenix, Arizona New City Jewish Center, New City, New York Nevei Kodesh, Boulder, Colorado |
Temple Emanu-El, Miami Beach, Florida
Temple Israel of Greater Miami, Miami, Florida Congregation Beth Israel, Chico, California Havurah Shir Hadash, Ashland, Oregon Unity of Portland, Portland, Oregon Unity of Sacramento, Sacramento, California Agape Bay Area – Center for Awakened Living, Oakland Congregation Bet Shalom, Tucson, Arizona Congregation Or Chadash, Tucson, Arizona Temple Emanu-El, Tucson, Arizona Beit Ahavah, Northampton, Massachusetts Wexner Foundation Event in Phoenix, Arizona, 2019 Congregation Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, California Congregation Sons of Israel, Nyack, New York National Havurah Committee, Hartford, Connecticut Temple Israel, Greenfield, Massachusetts |
"Reb Brian Yosef Schachter-Brooks is both a brilliant meditation teacher and chant 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 Torah of Awakening in 2016. 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 Torah of Awakening in 2016. 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