Preparing Our Hearts for the Holy Days is an opportunity to come together, in person (or virtually), for extended instruction, sitting and walking meditation, and contemplation. Following a light breakfast, Rabbi George Gittleman and Alissa Hirshfeld will teach and lead meditation periods to facilitate the soul work necessary to make the Holy Days meaningful.  Maintaining quiet throughout the morning will allow participants to turn attention inward without distraction.

About the leaders

A graduate of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality's Jewish Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program, Rabbi George, leader of the Shomrei Torah community for more than 25 years, has developed both Buddhist and Jewish meditative practices over the last two decades. 

Alissa Hirshfeld, M.A., a licensed psychotherapist, certified Jewish spiritual director, and long-time seeker, has been practicing meditation for over 30 years; has studied with many esteemed Jewish and Buddhist meditation teachers; and has taught mindfulness meditation and yoga in secular, religious, and healing settings. 

To learn more about our regularly scheduled sessions, stay up to date with access options (virtual or in-person), view past sessions, and locate meditation resources, visit the meditation page of the Shomrei Torah website at  www.cstsr.org/meditation.html

Please note in-person attendance will follow the CST Covid guidelines, www.cstsr.org/covid_updates. If you register but then cannot attend, notify CST by 8/22 to help us avoid wasting resources, food and handouts. If you are attening virtually, the Zoom link will be in your registration confirmation email.