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Dear Greetings!,
I am so sorry for the email that went out tonight to "Dear (Contact First Name)."
It is terribly ironic that the email you received from Sheila Weinberg, on behalf on the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, contained a mistake that depersonalized the message. As those of you who have had the privilege of learning with Sheila know, her teaching is the epitome of loving, particular and careful attention.
I want you to know how important you are to us, to our work, and to this incredible community that we are so proud to be a part of. We could not begin to do the work we do without each and every one of you - participating in retreats, attending Hevraya events, listening to our CDs and podcasts, supporting us financially, and letting us share your spiritual journey.
Even the most mindful of us can have "one of those days." Part of our practice is recognizing our humanity, our faillibility, embracing it with compassion. I hope that you will forgive our misstep and take this opportunity to bring the work of compassion and forgiveness and careful attention to all of our communities.
With apologies and humility,
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Dear (Contact First Name),
I have had the blessing of being part of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality since it was conceived, 14 years ago. During that time I have witnessed a flowering of spirit from the parched earth of our culture. The Institute is unlike any other organization I have ever known. It does not offer technical or programmatic strategies to attract people or make Judaism work better. The Institute reaches from the inside out; it works from the heart, and this is its strength.
Psychologists, neurobiologists, and even corporate leaders are increasingly interested in how we become our better selves. This is a Jewish spiritual question. It is an eternal and contemporary question. It is something to contemplate in leisure. It is also very urgent, given the challenges that we face on this earth at this time.
The Institute does not have techniques. Nor do we preach. We invite people into relationships that are safe and filled with love and respect. These relationships are with other Jewish seekers - lay and professional, activists and scholars; relationships with sacred Jewish texts, with silence, with one's own body, mind and soul. We invite people to turn toward the experience of the sacred, rather than the idea of the sacred. We invite people to practice knowing the ultimate support that holds and sustains them in every breath and every moment.
I have seen people change in wonderful ways and I have seen this impact on their families, their communities, and organizations. I have known rabbis, cantors, educators and community leaders who reclaim the practice of Torah study and prayer as spiritual disciplines that inform their lives. I have seen people relate from compassion rather than fear, with calm, rather than confusion, in wisdom rather than avoidance and delusion in situations of routine and crisis.
By making a gift you will participate in bringing the practices to ever-widening circles of people.
Sheila
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Please take a moment to support this transformative work we are all engaged in together. Thank you for your companionship on this exciting journey! | |
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