Start your Mussar Journey with CCM
CCM renews spiritual practice and Jewish text to transform relationships, awakening each person to their profound responsibility for the other. We offer introductory and continuing classes that focus on Mussar texts, theology, and practice. A complete curriculum is offered over three years; students commit for a semester at a time. We also offer specialty classes open to new students each semester focused on different themes.
Check out the list of available classes below!
Available classes
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Mussar and the 12 Steps
Offered nationally, via Zoom
2-3:30 p.m. ET | Thursdays
Jan. 14 - June 17, 2026
Sandi Kirschner & Rob Friedman
Come explore the connection between Mussar, an ancient Jewish practice, and the 12 steps of recovery. Mussar teaches us to better enable ourselves to do the work of bearing the burden of the other. The 12 Step Program and its focus on repair goes hand in hand with this goal: to improve your life and better show up for those around you.
*Open to new students
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Foundations/Kibbush 1
Offered locally in Philadelphia, PA
1-2:30 p.m. ET | Sundays
Jan. 10 - May 16, 2026
In this foundational class, you will learn basic Mussar concepts and learn to create a daily Mussar practice. We will study middot (character traits) such as seder/order and savlanut/patience, as a way to understand and recognize when our energy is in a state of Ra, and we can’t show up for others as we would most want to.
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Soul Gym II: Confronting Baseless Hatred
Offered nationally, via Zoom
4-5:30 p.m. CT | Mondays
Oct. 5 - Dec. 14
The political climate both inside and outside the Jewish community is fraught with sinat chinam, baseless hatred. What are the Middot for this? When we comb through the trove of Jewish wisdom to find precedent, what can we learn? Our shiurim will focus on wisdom found in ancient and contemporary Jewish literature, as we explore middot to practice while we figure it out.
*Open to advanced Mussar students
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Seeds of Mussar
Offered locally in Austin, TX
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT | Sundays
Oct. 18 - Nov. 15
Donna Samuelson & Cathy Schechter
You are invited to join an introductory class in Mussar that emphasizes ethical mindfulness and connection with others learning to be their best selves.
*Open to new students in Austin, TX only
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Weekly Mussar Meditations
10-10:30 a.m. ET | Wednesdays
*This class took a break for the summer and will resume on Wednesday, September 9!
Mussar is fundamentally a mindfulness practice; that is, in order to truly practice Mussar, one needs to be ever more aware of what is actually happening – not just immediately responding to projections, fears, and entitlements. I think some sort of meditation practice is necessary as a precursor to practicing Mussar, but increasingly I feel like it’s even more than that – Mussar is what meditation looks like when one leaves the cushion and enters the realm of relationship.
*Free & open to new students!
On-going Va’ads
(not open to new students, unless noted)
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Tikkun of Aging
Local, in-person vaad in PA
10-11:30 a.m. ET | Mondays, Sept. 14 - Dec. 21
Led by Sandi Kirschner
A continuation of the previous vaad, this class will explore the Middot through the lens of aging.
*Not open to new students
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Tikkun of Aging III
Local, in person vaad in PA
4:15 - 4:45 p.m. ET | Wednesdays, Sept. 16 - Dec. 16
Led by Sandi Kirschner
A continuation of the previous vaad, this class will continue exploring the Middot through the lens of aging.
*Not open to new students
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Transformations/Tikkun 2
Offered nationally, via Zoom
2-3:30 p.m. CT | Sundays, Oct. 4 - Dec. 13
This class is a continuation of the previous vaad.
*Not open to new students
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Pirkei Avot Tikkun Vaad
Offered nationally, via Zoom
9:30-11 a.m. CT | Wednesdays, Oct. 7, 2026 - May 19, 2027
Led by Heidi Schneider
This class is a continuation of the previous vaad studying Pirkei Avot.
*No longer accepting new students
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Tomer Devorah Plus
Offered nationally, via Zoom
7-9 p.m. ET | Mondays, Oct. 12 - Jan. 4
Led by Martin Jacobs
A continuation of the previous vaad, this class is completing a review of Mesillat Yesharim.
*This class is open to new students who have completed CCM basic curriculum -- they must contact the madrich before registering (martin.jacobs@verizon.net).
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In addition to the classes listed above, CCM also offers:
Clergy Cohort — a year-long course offered to clergy members with Mussar experience who are looking for deeper training and community. Learn more here!
Madrichim Training Course — available to those who have completed the 3-year CCM curriculum and who are accepted into the teacher training program.
Local Mussar classes — our madrichim are spread out throughout the United States and Canada, and many teach Mussar classes at their local synagogues.