Intro to Mussar with Kirva

In a moment when so many of us are seeking steadiness, clarity, and ethical grounding, Mussar (applied Jewish ethics) offers a Jewish spiritual path for cultivating inner resilience and moral courage.

Join Kirva and Rabbi David Jaffe for an Introduction to Mussar, an accessible entry point into this centuries-old Jewish wisdom tradition. This two-session workshop takes place on January 15th and 20th from 6:30-9:00 PM ET on Zoom. The second session builds on the first, so please come to both sessions. When registering, please select either date, as this platform has limitations with multi-session programming. The Zoom link will be the same for both sessions. You will be added to a calendar invite for both sessions within a few days of registering.

Together, we’ll explore how Mussar supports personal growth while strengthening our capacity to show up for one another and our fights for justice with integrity, groundedness, and care.

Rooted in Jewish text and practice, this learning experience invites participants to engage in reflection, accountability, and meaningful connection. No prior experience with Mussar is required—only a willingness to learn and grow. For those participating in the Fight Like a Mensch program, this will serve as the required Mussar introduction. 

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Rabbi David Jaffe is the co-founder and Executive Director of Kirva. He is the author of Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change, which won the National Jewish Book Award for Contemporary Jewish Life.

His teaching, writing, organizing, and consulting explore the intersection of moral and spiritual development and ethical action in the world. He teaches Mussar (applied Jewish ethics) and Jewish spiritual wisdom widely throughout North America with organizational and social change leaders, educators and spiritual seekers of all ages.

David was a founding board member of Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps and helped start the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, an IAF affiliate. He has a masters in social work from Columbia University and private rabbinic ordination from Israel. He served as a senior faculty member with the Mussar Institute, was a visiting research fellow at Boston University, and was adjunct faculty at the Hebrew College Rabbinical School. David is currently the Co-President of the Brockton Interfaith Community.