Templeton Foundation Grant: Mindfulness & Tikkun Middot Project for Jewish Organizations

Program Duration: 3 years (started Fall 2013)

Geographic Scope: National program targeting Jewish communities across the United States

Focus Areas:

• Character development through mindfulness and tikkun middot (character traits) practice
• Cultivating desirable behaviors and character traits (generosity, patience, truth-telling, humility)
• Systemic connection between individual character development and communal norms and culture
• Strengthening transformation at multiple levels: individual, interpersonal relationships, institutional, and societal
• Pioneering a new approach to mussar grounded in mindfulness practice

Target Participants:

• 28 Jewish communities
• Led by Institute-trained rabbis, cantors, educators, mindfulness teachers, and community leaders

Key Innovations:

1. Providing training to help leaders bring specific practices to their communities in culturally appropriate ways
2. Exploring systemic connections between individual character development and communal culture
3. Pioneering a mindfulness-grounded approach to mussar

Program Support Provided:

• Curricula
• In-person trainings
• Regular webinar support
• Targeted consultations
• Cohort member support

Program Director: Rabbi Marc Margolius

Background: The Institute for Jewish Spirituality has long believed that cultivating mindful Jewish leaders could have profound and transformational impact on Jewish communal life. This grant addresses persistent obstacles to practice transmission including overwhelming busy-ness, lack of confidence in teaching practices, Jewish organizational culture, and lack of support.