What is Mussar?
Mussar is the study of one's inner middot (soul traits). It is the Jewish spiritual practice to work on character development through the lens of traditional Jewish text and sources, as reflected through various middot such as patience (savlanut) or (trust) bitachon.
2025 - 26 CLASSES
Living Mussar Va'ad - Everyday Holiness taught by Ofer Geller
Continuing Va’ad, with limited space left to register.
This is hosted by Living Mussar. Click here to complete the interest form.
Are you looking to live with greater intention, compassion, and clarity?
Mussar is a Jewish spiritual practice that guides you on a journey of ethical self-development and inner transformation. Through the study and practice of middot—core character traits like humility, patience, and gratitude—you'll deepen your self-awareness and bring your values into daily life. Rooted in Jewish wisdom, Mussar offers practical tools for becoming more whole, more holy, and more aligned with your highest self.
We will be studying Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis—a foundational Mussar text that explores the middot with clarity, insight, and practical guidance. Through this lens, you'll refine your character, strengthen your spiritual awareness, and live more intentionally.
We’ll gather every other Sunday morning from October through February. Facilitated by Ofer Geller and offered in partnership with Adath Jeshurun and Living Mussar, this va’ad offers the same trusted structure, meaningful conversations, and supportive community you've come to value. We invite you to return, re-engage, and keep growing with us on this lifelong path of becoming more whole and holy.
Dates: Sundays, 10/26, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 12/7, 12/21 OR 12/28, 1/11/2026, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Adath (except for 11/23, 12/21 OR 12/28, 1/18, 2/15, 3/1, which will be at a later shared off-site location)
Oct 26: Recap of what we have learned
Nov 9: Silence
Nov 16: Spirit and Song - A music and storytelling session with Shir Harmony at Bet Shalom
Nov 23: Generosity
Dec 7: Truth
Dec 21 OR 28: Moderation
Jan 11: Chesed (Loving Kindness)
Jan 18: Kavod (Respect/Honor)
Feb 1: Achrayut (Responsability)
Feb 15: Bitachon (Trust)
Mar 1: Emunah (Faith)
Mar 15: Yirah (Reverence)
Mar 29: Recap
This is hosted by Living Mussar. Click here to complete the interest form.
Are you looking to live with greater intention, compassion, and clarity?
Mussar is a Jewish spiritual practice that guides you on a journey of ethical self-development and inner transformation. Through the study and practice of middot—core character traits like humility, patience, and gratitude—you'll deepen your self-awareness and bring your values into daily life. Rooted in Jewish wisdom, Mussar offers practical tools for becoming more whole, more holy, and more aligned with your highest self.
We will be studying Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis—a foundational Mussar text that explores the middot with clarity, insight, and practical guidance. Through this lens, you'll refine your character, strengthen your spiritual awareness, and live more intentionally.
We’ll gather every other Sunday morning from October through February. Facilitated by Ofer Geller and offered in partnership with Adath Jeshurun and Living Mussar, this va’ad offers the same trusted structure, meaningful conversations, and supportive community you've come to value. We invite you to return, re-engage, and keep growing with us on this lifelong path of becoming more whole and holy.
Dates: Sundays, 10/26, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 12/7, 12/21 OR 12/28, 1/11/2026, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Adath (except for 11/23, 12/21 OR 12/28, 1/18, 2/15, 3/1, which will be at a later shared off-site location)
Oct 26: Recap of what we have learned
Nov 9: Silence
Nov 16: Spirit and Song - A music and storytelling session with Shir Harmony at Bet Shalom
Nov 23: Generosity
Dec 7: Truth
Dec 21 OR 28: Moderation
Jan 11: Chesed (Loving Kindness)
Jan 18: Kavod (Respect/Honor)
Feb 1: Achrayut (Responsability)
Feb 15: Bitachon (Trust)
Mar 1: Emunah (Faith)
Mar 15: Yirah (Reverence)
Mar 29: Recap
Taste of Mussar
Taste of Mussar offers a four-class introduction to Jewish spiritual growth through exploring middot (soul traits) and mindful living. More details about the upcoming March session will be shared soon.
Dates: March 24 and 31, 2026 & May 5 and 19, 2026
Time: 6: 00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Adath
Dates: March 24 and 31, 2026 & May 5 and 19, 2026
Time: 6: 00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Adath
Teacher Bios
Ofer Geller
Ofer has been a student of Mussar at Adath Jeshurun since 2019 and continues to explore this path of spiritual growth in Judaism at Adath and through classes taught by The Mussar Institute. “I have found the practice of Mussar to be a profound personal awakening, transformative and meaningful experience. I am very excited to share what I have learned as we study and find new, unique personal connections with ancient texts."
Hope Melton
Hope is an experienced Mussar facilitator with over 30 years of teaching experience including high school history and social studies, English and Swedish for Immigrants with the Swedish Civil Service Adult Education Institute, and as adjunct faculty at St. Catherine and St. Thomas Universities. Hope completed an MA in American History from Northwestern University and a Masters in City & Regional Planning (MCRP), with a concentration in social policy, from Rutgers University. Hope created Edina Neighbors for Affordable Housing and has led this effort in Edina for the past five years. As a result of three years of study with CCM, Hope’s Mussar teaching is dedicated to caring for the other—at the individual, community, and societal levels. Her goal is to promote a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable society based on Mussar study (Jewish ethical values), sacred teachings, and practices.
Barbara Rubin Greenberg
Barbara is a CCM-certified Madrichah, who was introduced to CCM when Rabbi Ira Stone spoke at Adath. Barbara has studied Mussar for seven years and continues to study with Mussar teachers. Barbara is a certified leadership coach with certifications in emotional intelligence and personality type (MBTI). Barbara has found Mussar to be inspirational and an incredibly effective practice to develop oneself and grow through a Jewish framework. She is committed and passionate about caring for others and helping them grow through Mussar Practice. We live in relationship all the time and Mussar helps us develop ourselves and create healthier relationships that reflect care of self and our nearest others.
Heidi Schneider
Heidi is a CCM-certified Madrichah, who was introduced to CCM when Rabbi Ira Stone conducted a Shabbaton at Adath. Heidi has studied with CCM for over five years, and she serves on the CCM board of directors. Heidi teaches Mussar classes to adults and teens at Adath Jeshurun and Tifereth Israel in Des Moines, Iowa. She keeps the passuk for the middah of Bitachon on a post-it note on her desk to remind her that worry is an opportunity to seek out the other and reconnect in serenity.
Ofer has been a student of Mussar at Adath Jeshurun since 2019 and continues to explore this path of spiritual growth in Judaism at Adath and through classes taught by The Mussar Institute. “I have found the practice of Mussar to be a profound personal awakening, transformative and meaningful experience. I am very excited to share what I have learned as we study and find new, unique personal connections with ancient texts."
Hope Melton
Hope is an experienced Mussar facilitator with over 30 years of teaching experience including high school history and social studies, English and Swedish for Immigrants with the Swedish Civil Service Adult Education Institute, and as adjunct faculty at St. Catherine and St. Thomas Universities. Hope completed an MA in American History from Northwestern University and a Masters in City & Regional Planning (MCRP), with a concentration in social policy, from Rutgers University. Hope created Edina Neighbors for Affordable Housing and has led this effort in Edina for the past five years. As a result of three years of study with CCM, Hope’s Mussar teaching is dedicated to caring for the other—at the individual, community, and societal levels. Her goal is to promote a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable society based on Mussar study (Jewish ethical values), sacred teachings, and practices.
Barbara Rubin Greenberg
Barbara is a CCM-certified Madrichah, who was introduced to CCM when Rabbi Ira Stone spoke at Adath. Barbara has studied Mussar for seven years and continues to study with Mussar teachers. Barbara is a certified leadership coach with certifications in emotional intelligence and personality type (MBTI). Barbara has found Mussar to be inspirational and an incredibly effective practice to develop oneself and grow through a Jewish framework. She is committed and passionate about caring for others and helping them grow through Mussar Practice. We live in relationship all the time and Mussar helps us develop ourselves and create healthier relationships that reflect care of self and our nearest others.
Heidi Schneider
Heidi is a CCM-certified Madrichah, who was introduced to CCM when Rabbi Ira Stone conducted a Shabbaton at Adath. Heidi has studied with CCM for over five years, and she serves on the CCM board of directors. Heidi teaches Mussar classes to adults and teens at Adath Jeshurun and Tifereth Israel in Des Moines, Iowa. She keeps the passuk for the middah of Bitachon on a post-it note on her desk to remind her that worry is an opportunity to seek out the other and reconnect in serenity.