Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Rabbi Sheila Peltz WeinbergRabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, a pioneer of Jewish meditation and spirituality and founder of the Jewish Institute for Jewish Spirituality, will lead a mindfulness Shabbaton (Sabbath weekend) on March 13 and 14 at Mishkan Shalom, the Reconstructionist synagogue in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

In four religious services beginning Friday night and ending Saturday night, Rabbi Weinberg – who teaches spiritual practice to rabbis -- will guide the congregation into Shabbat through uniquely crafted teachings that weave together mindfulness practice, Torah, traditional liturgy and a deep commitment to social justice. The theme of the weekend is “Heart Break and Restoration, the Ever Present Possibility of Forgiveness and Teshuvah (change).” The public is invited to all events, including a potluck vegetarian meal at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

“Sheila is a masterful teacher who, with clarity, humor and grace, helps us see into the truths, challenges and blessings of our lives,” said Rabbi Yael Levy, Mishkan Shalom’s Rabbinic Director of Spiritual Development.

Rabbi Weinberg will lead a service beginning at 7:30 p.m. to welcome Shabbat with mindfulness, prayer and song. The 10 a.m. Shabbat morning service will include mindfulness practice and teachings, meditative movement, chanting and reflection. There will be a 4:30 p.m. Mincha (afternoon) service, followed by a meal, moving into a

7:45 p.m. Havdalah service. Following that service, Rabbi Weinberg will read from her recently-completed memoir.

Contemplative practice, combining meditation with Jewish story and symbol, is a relatively new development in Judaism. “Spiritual practices train our minds, shape our consciousness and mold our character,” Weinberg says. “We undertake spiritual practice in order to change in some way, even if it is only a change of perspective.” But that change often leads to a commitment to tikkun olam, “repair of the world.”