In conclusion ... Rabbi Michele Medwin and Jewish students (L to R) Ted W., Aaron Z., Jordan S., Alex G., and Matt B. conclude the retreat with the traditional Havdalah service.
Jewish Students Study the Mussar Program
By Nicole K.
Jewish students at The Family Foundation School headed off on retreat this past month for a unique study of Mussar. A spiritual program much like the 12 Steps, Mussar focuses on the cultivation and balancing of traits such as patience and generosity to help the individual grow on his or her own spiritual journey.
The Mussar movement developed in the 19th century in Eastern Orthodox communities. Rabbi Michele Medwin, also the Director of Jewish Studies at the school, welcomed the students into her synagogue, Temple Shalom, in Monticello.
Besides the FFS students, three young men from the residential treatment center Daytop spent the day reciting prayers and learning about Mussar. There was, of course, the typical Jewish prayer service, more modernly presented on projector from Rabbi Medwin’s computer screen. There was then time to have a 12-step experience when the three were invited to share their stories with the students.
All three of the men, similar to The Family School students, had had their fair share of tough times and had been in and out of institutions for much of their young lives. The students were able to ask questions, seek advice, and even share their experiences with the three young men. “Hearing them talk about their experiences proved to me that there are young people investing time in their Jewish faith and that I am not alone,” said student Alex G.
After lunch the students embarked on their introductory study of the Mussar program. Much like the 12 Steps, Mussar entails an examination of our lives and the willingness to discover what has held us back from true happiness. People in need of healing and relief often gravitate towards Mussar because of its positive and encouraging process. Like the 12 Steps, Mussar requires one to take an honest look at his character defects; in Mussar these are called soul traits.
According to Mussar each person has his own set of soul traits which over time have been covered up with negative traits. In the Jewish faith each person is born and lives as a perfect soul, but bad decisions lead us away from that perfection. Although we can be led away from our perfect soul, we can be led back to it.
Rabbi Medwin encouraged anyone going through a rough time to try out the Mussar program and left the door wide open for anyone who would want to go through the process with her. “I have worked with kids at the school who have tried the Mussar program and have seen very positive results,” she said.
The retreat concluded with the traditional Havdalah service to end the Sabbath. Students helped to light a woven candle and passed around bags of fragrant herbs. Jewish student Matt B. said of the Havdalah ceremony, “We sang, we prayed, and we had a very beautiful experience to close a very beautiful retreat.”
