The weekend of April 5-7 will be devoted to the spiritual wellbeing of community and congregants at Kehilath Israel Synagogue. Rabbi David Jaffe will speak about ethical and spiritual development, “Mussar,” as part of the Caviar Family Scholar in Residence programs.
“I am teaching Jewish wisdom about how to create a holy community,” said Rabbi Jaffe. “I want to stress the practical nature of Jewish wisdom about the soul traits and relationships.”
His programs will be held immediately after Pesach.
“Pesach symbolizes the birth of the Jewish nation. We came out of slavery, and now what? If left on our own, we would have figured some things out but most likely we would have recreated the oppressive society we just came from. That is what former slaves often do, they repeat the patterns of domination of their oppressors,” Rabbi Jaffe said.
“The Torah gives us the guidelines how to create a society that honors the dignity of each person and how to manage the power dynamics in relationships to maximize this dignity,” he added. “It also gives us guidance how to create a community that makes space for God to dwell among us. I hope these teachings would help the K.C. community go even higher as a kehilat kodesh, a holy community where people treat themselves and each other with dignity.”
The dean and founder of the Kirva Institute, Rabbi Jaffe received his rabbinic ordination from the Bat Ayin Yeshiva in Israel. He has master’s degrees in both Jewish studies and social work. He devotes his teachings and writings on exploring the intersection of moral/spiritual development and ethical action in the world. Before becoming a rabbi, he served as the director of social justice programs for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, and was a founding board member of Avodah, The Jewish Service Corps.
“Mussar is very practical wisdom for living a more holy, connected, meaningful life. At our core I believe we all want to be closer to ourselves, others and God,” said Rabbi Jaffe. “The work of Mussar is to refine our soul traits so we can relate to act in alignment with our highest selves. This is daily, practical work and makes a difference in all our relationships.”
K.I.’s Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz said Rabbi Jaffe is a scholar and a mensch.
“We have been colleagues and friends for many years now, and Rav David is a thriving leader of the Mussar movement (spiritual and ethical development movement). Anyone who attends his classes will be sure to leave more introspective, reflective and inspired with new tools for self growth.”
During Rabbi Jaffe’s programs at K.I., there will be a mechitzah for services. The community is welcome for all programs and events.
Weekend details
Rabbi David Jaffe, Kehilath Israel’s April Caviar Scholar in Residence, will speak about the following topics at the synagogue:
Friday night, April 5 — “Intro to the Mussar movement & The Development of the Soul!”
Shabbat morning, April 6 — “Developing Character: Jewish Ethical & Spiritual Development”
Shabbat afternoon, April 6 — “To Forgive and Forget? A Jewish Approach to Difficult People and Situations”
Sunday morning, April 7 — Workshop: “The Jewish Wisdom on Rebuke — Managing Difficult People”