UPCOMING JEWISH and JEWISH-BUDDHIST MINDFULNESS EVENTS

  • Alison teaches once a month in the Institute for Jewish Spirituality’s free Daily Sit program—learn more here.

  • Registration is open for Alison’s annual course “Another Way to Be: Navigating Powerful Emotions through the RAIN Process and Jewish wisdom,” which starts in May.

  • Join Alison August 21-22, 2026 for a Contemplative Shabbat experience in Durango, Colorado (Please get in touch for details if you will be in the area!)

Jewish Mindfulness—One Branch of Two Wings Mindfulness

Connecting with Judaism's Contemplative Heart

Jewish mindfulness sits at the intersection of mindfulness practice and Jewish tradition—sometimes a return to practices that have always lived within our tradition, sometimes a creative synthesis, always an invitation to deeper presence, love, and compassionately wise action.

We draw from teachings of Jewish contemplative teachers past and present—from Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav to Rabbi Shefa Gold, from ancient mystics to contemporary scholars. Their wisdom guides and enriches our learning and practice.

Over the past two decades, Jewish mindfulness spaces have called to my heart—first as a student and community member, then increasingly as a teacher. Several years ago, a casual conversation with a local rabbi ended with an unexpected invitation to lead contemplative Shabbat services for his congregation. Caught off-guard, I hesitated and questioned my worthiness—then took the plunge. Hineni, here I am. Hinenu, here we are.

Get in touch

For thousands of years, Jewish tradition has offered pathways to awareness, compassion, intuitive wisdom, and connection to something larger than ourselves. From the emphasis on intentionality—kavannah—to the weekly practice of Shabbat as sanctuary in time, Judaism understands what neuroscience now confirms: training our attention and cultivating compassion transforms how we experience life, live life, and heal.

The Shema and V'ahavta prayers, central to Jewish tradition, teach us the two wings of practice: Shema—listen, pay attention, be present—and V'ahavta—love with all your heart, soul, and strength. Awareness and compassion. Listening and loving.

Speaking of loving, in Song of Songs/Shir Hashirim we read: Ani L'Dodi V'dodi Li—I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. But what is the Beloved? For some, it's the Divine Mystery, the Source of Life, the Great Love. For others, it's loving awareness itself, accessed through meditation or prayer. It might be the sacred power of human connection, or Hebrew words like Shekhinah or Havayah. Or simply Mystery, or Oneness, or God—whoever or whatever you take God to be. Or the very Jewish answer: "Who knows?" 

What matters: when we practice with presence and care, we're held by something larger. Hinenu—here we are. And in showing up together, we become the Beloved's presence for one another. Sacred connection is at the heart of Jewish mindfulness practice.

Kind Words

  • "Each IJS daily sit that you've led has touched and uplifted me in my practice. You inspired me when inspiration felt unlikely, connected with me (and, I'm sure, many others) and infused my day with both peace and joy. I thank you."

    ~ L.G., Institute for Jewish Spirituality Daily Sit participant

  • "I gained more access to my connection with Judaism. I loved Alison's warmth, inclusion, and welcoming nature. She made space for our individual experiences while holding the space with structure and organization. Loved the hitbodedut, the chanting, the handouts, the ritual, meditations, quotes, poetry."

    ~ Shabbaton (Shabbat retreat) participant

  • "Alison creates a beautiful kehillah/sacred space/community. It always feels safe, supportive, interesting, and like the participants have known each other much longer and more intimately than we have. Alison balances opportunities to share, be in practice individually as well as together, [along] with the teachings she offers."

    ~ class participant

Who Is This For?

You might resonate with this approach if you:

  • Want mindfulness practices rooted in Jewish wisdom and tradition

  • Have felt disconnected from Jewish practice and are curious about contemplative Judaism

  • Already have a mindfulness practice and want to deepen it with Jewish wisdom

  • Are in an interfaith family exploring the contemplative dimensions of Judaism

  • Are a rabbi, educator, or Jewish professional seeking personal renewal

  • Simply feel drawn to Jewish wisdom, regardless of background

So happy to be with my beloved co-teachers at an Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS) multi-day retreat in Aug. 2025, Being With What Is: A Silent Jewish Mindfulness Retreat for Young Adults: (l-r) Rebecca Schisler, Kohenet Keshira HaLev Fife, Dr. Jes Golden.

What you'll need: Just a willingness to show up and explore.

You don't need to read Hebrew.

You don't need to have grown up keeping Shabbat or davening/praying.

You don't need to identify as religiously observant, know anything about meditation, or feel sure about any of this.

What we will do together: integrate Jewish concepts, practices, and texts with meditation and discussion. In retreat contexts, we'll create Shabbat-like containers for deep rest and reflection, weaving Jewish liturgy, song, textual exploration, and practice.

And as with all Two Wings offerings, we'll make space for both individual insight and communal support—because meaningful, heart-centered change happens at the intersection of personal practice, skillful guidance, and authentic connection.

Offerings

  • Jewish Mindfulness Retreats

    Daylong and multi-day immersions weaving meditation, soulful ritual, song, contemplative prayer, exploration of Jewish texts, and community practice.

  • Kehilah: Community Classes

    Thematic explorations of Jewish wisdom, mindfulness, mindful communication, self-compassion, and emotional well-being.

  • One-on-One Coaching

    Personalized accompaniment and guidance to support spiritual healing, growth, and deepening your Jewish spiritual practice and present-moment compassionate awareness. You can learn more about Alison’s approach to coaching here.

  • Organizational Partnerships

    Two Wings collaborates with synagogues, Jewish organizations, schools, and retreat centers to bring Jewish mindfulness programs to communities. Some past and present partners include Sixth & I Synagogue (Washington, DC), the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Am Kolel Sanctuary Community (Rockville, MD), Congregation Har Shalom (Durango, CO), and the Institute of Jewish Knowledge & Learning (IJKL).

Kind Words

  • "Feeling so touched by this retreat experience. I so resonated with you, your way of being, your offerings”

    ~ M.K., multi-day retreat participant

  • Chag Sameach! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you so much for another wonderful and positively impactful course. I enjoyed every minute of it and I got so much out of it.

    ~ class participant who also engages in 1:1 “Your Life is Your Practice, Your Practice is Your Life” coaching each month

  • "In this Jewish mindfulness class, I gained the safety to explore tough emotions, and the knowledge that I have the ability to do so without it overwhelming me."

    ~ class participant

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. You are welcome exactly as you are. These spaces honor questioning, doubt, and complex relationships with Judaism. Many of us carry wounds from past Jewish experiences—whether related to theology, politics, gender, sexuality, family dynamics, or simply not feeling "Jewish enough." You're not alone in this. Jewish mindfulness invites us to encounter our tradition through contemplative practice rather than doctrine or obligation. We create space for silence, for multiple truths, and for the reality that each person's relationship with Judaism is their own. What matters here isn't how you identify or what you believe, but your willingness to show up with an open heart. Some participants are deeply connected to Jewish life; others are exploring for the first time or reconnecting after years away. All are welcome.

  • No. While this work is grounded in Jewish wisdom, you're welcome regardless of background.

  • Beautiful! Jewish mindfulness can add layers of meaning, context, and community to your existing practice.

  • What's your background in Jewish mindfulness?

    My heart and soul have been steeped in Judaism throughout my life. The rhythms of Jewish time, the texture of Hebrew prayers, the questions our tradition asks—these live in my bones in a way that feels both inherited and chosen.

    Over the last 15 years, I've attended Jewish meditation retreats and studied with Or HaLev and the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Rabbi Dr. David Moster's Institute of Biblical Studies, Taproot Community Ritualist Program, among others. I'm also in spiritual direction with Rabbi Diane Elliot and maintain a daily meditation practice rooted in both Jewish and Buddhist traditions. I've had the honor of teaching Jewish mindfulness retreats and classes in partnership with synagogues, retreat centers, and organizations, including the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, Sixth & I Synagogue, At the Well, and Am Kolel.

    You can read more about my journey as what some might call a BuJew :) here.

Getting ready to officiate a Jewish wedding (with lots of mindfulness!) for a couple who are Two Wings community members! Congrats, E & J!

Ways to Connect

Sign up for the Two Wings Mindfulness newsletter below to get updates on upcoming retreats, classes, and community gatherings—some will be Jewish mindfulness-specific, others will not.

Please contact Alison here if you’re interested in:

  • One-on-one "Your Life is Your Practice, Your Practice is Your Life" coaching that integrates Jewish mindfulness (contact Alison to schedule a free 20-minute exploratory call)

  • Bringing these teachings to your community

  • Learning more about an upcoming offering

Class description:

Often the moment when we most need to pause is exactly when it feels most intolerable to do so... Through the sacred art of pausing, we develop the capacity to stop hiding, to stop running away from our experience. We begin to trust in our natural intelligence, in our naturally wise heart, in our capacity to open to whatever arises.

— Tara Brach

Popularized by renowned meditation teacher and psychologist Dr. Tara Brach (one of Alison’s teachers and mentors), the R.A.I.N. process—Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture—can meaningfully transform how we relate to ourselves and to others, especially amidst all that is unfolding in the world today.

This five-week course is a unique opportunity to explore this profound, timely practice for strengthening emotional awareness, responsiveness, and compassion, woven together with time-honored Jewish wisdom that illuminates each step of the process.

No previous knowledge of meditation, R.A.I.N., or Judaism is necessary. All that's required is your presence, interest, and curiosity. If you're already familiar with R.A.I.N., this course offers a meaningful deepening—with fresh insights into how to bring this practice more fully into your daily life and relationships.

The five sessions move through R.A.I.N. at a deliberate, unhurried pace so that you can feel and integrate each component.

Who is this class for?

This course is for anyone who wants to strengthen their capacity to meet their inner life with greater awareness, honesty, and compassion. Whether powerful emotions feel overwhelming, confusing, or simply hard to be with, or whether you're navigating a particular life challenge or feeling the weight of what's unfolding in the world, R.A.I.N. offers a grounded, accessible path toward greater stability, responsiveness, and inner freedom, and the pairing of R.A.I.N. with ancient Jewish wisdom is an especially rich and supportive one.

This course is open to anyone 18+ regardless of your level of meditation experience or Jewish knowledge.

Why this offering (again)?

The R.A.I.N. process has been integral to Alison's own journey and has expanded her capacity to authentically and wholeheartedly show up—for her own inner world, for loved ones, and for the ever-shifting winds on this brutaful (brutal + beautiful) planet.

In her experience, Jewish wisdom has deepened her embodied understanding of R.A.I.N.—and so for the past several years she has been offering this course once or twice a year. She keeps coming back to it because past participants have shared what a difference these practices and teachings have made in their daily lives. This year’s course also begins during the Omer period (the 49-day journey between Passover and Shavuot), a potent time for this kind of inner exploration!

Kind Words from past participants

“I absolutely loved this class! Alison is a caring and effective teacher who in a few short weeks made students feel cared for and valued. She came prepared with relevant information; led effective practices; and helped students understand the ways in which everything we did connected to the overarching theme of our class.”

“I gained the safety to explore tough emotions, and the knowledge that I have the ability to do so without it overwhelming me.”

“Alison was well prepped and she brought in a variety of inspirational quotes. I liked the Hebrew she sprinkled in. Her answers to participant questions were very thoughtful and supportive.”

“I loved the way that Alison created a really warm, respectful community. She’s sensitive to so many important details that might otherwise be overlooked.”

“I like the blending of Judaism and mindfulness.”

What to Expect:

Each 75-minute session (7-8:15 pm ET) includes:

  • Arriving together through a grounding practice and optional check-ins

  • Guided meditation and reflection

  • Optional writing prompts for deeper exploration

  • Group discussion

  • Timely Jewish wisdom that illuminates each step of R.A.I.N.

  • Optional sharing

If anyone has additional questions or comments, Alison will hang out in the Zoom room for another 15 minutes (8:15-8:30 pm ET) to continue the conversation.

1:1 session included, not required:

The course includes one optional 30-minute individual session with Alison, which you can schedule at any point during the course if it’s of interest to you. This 1:1 is an opportunity to explore whatever is arising for you during the course. All participants will receive a scheduling link.

The 1:1 will be structured similarly to “Your Life is Your Practice, Your Practice is Your Life” 1:1 sessions:

  • 1-2 minutes of meditating together as a way of arriving and transitioning into our time together

  • Check in: How are you in this moment?

  • Touching base about what feels most important to discuss

  • Discussing it! :) This period often also involves guided inquiry if it’s relevant and of interest to you, in which I lead you through a tailored reflective process.

  • Closing: What are you taking away from this time together?

  • Wishing each other well and parting ways

Logistics:

  • Dates: Tuesdays—May 12, May 18, May 27, June 2, June 9. In the interest of building community, please plan to attend at least 4 of the 5 sessions live, if possible.

  • Time: 7-8:15 pm ET + 15 minutes of optional small group time.

  • Format: Live online sessions

  • All sessions will be recorded and available within 24 hours

  • You'll receive a reminder email the day before each session and a detailed follow-up email after each session with the recording, resources and reflection prompts.

  • Past participants are welcome to participate in this round. While the structure, themes, and core content are similar, each Cohort creates its own unique container through group sharing and there will be some new material.

  • Cancelation and refund policy: If you cancel your registration more than a week before the course begins, you will get a full refund minus a $15 registration fee. Within the week before, there are no refunds because it’s unlikely we’ll be able to fill your spot on such short notice, and spaces in the course are limited.

FEATURED CLASS (2026)

Another Way to Be: Navigating Powerful Emotions through the RAIN Process and Jewish Wisdom

Tuesdays from 7-8:15 pm ET on Zoom

5 sessions: May 12, May 18, May 27, June 2, June 9

& a 30-minute one-to-one session (optional) scheduled at a time that works for you

$275, with sliding scale available

See below for course information and registration details

two birds with beaks open who look like they are talking to each other

How to register:

  • You can register here at the standard rate ($275).

  • For sliding scale ($200–$275), please register here.

  • If you would like to participate and installments or a rate below $200 would make that possible, please get in touch. Finances need not be a barrier.

  • Registration is rolling until the course fills.