The Center for Spiritual Judaism
Discovering the Pathways Of the Jewish Spirit
The Center for Spiritual Judaism (CSJ) is a non-profit foundation established for the purpose of providing rabbinically conducted adult education in Judaic Studies, certified crisis and grief chaplaincy, life-cycle rituals, and innovative, spiritually-oriented worship services, as well as providing original publications reflecting Jewish thought and liturgy. Devoted to “Discovering the Pathways of the Jewish Spirit,” the goal of CSJ is to encourage experiences in Jewish living by advancing the theology of Spiritual Judaism.
Judaism’s new frontier lies in an exploration and evolution of Jewish spirituality. Spiritual Judaism is a dynamic force that propels the ongoing development of Jewish thinking in all areas, including our religious, legalistic, and social mores and practices. Seeking the “spiritual” meaning of a given ritual, custom or belief is not a new idea; it is one of the most pervasive elements in our cultural history and has been part of the Jewish thought system since the beginning. It can be found in our Biblical and Talmudic commentaries and in our Midrashic legends and Aggadic Folklore, as well as in the mystical teachings of Kabbalah.
Finding the path to enlightenment and achieving mystical transcendence (linking one’s finite self to the infinite and eternal) is the basic right and need of every human being. Spiritual Judaism seeks to revitalize and recapture the hearts, minds and souls of our people who have been too long without faith in their faith, without belief in their beliefs and without inspiration in their spiritual search. In order to assure the survival of Judaism, it is necessary to redefine it spiritually and redirect it mystically. Judaism will then continue as the dynamic religion that challenged our ancestors and holds out hope to our descendants for a life imbued with deeper meaning.
Education
Classes and seminars offered through the Center for Spiritual Judaism are taught from a spiritual and academic perspective. CSJ offers the teaching skills of Dr. Zev Wellins, as well as other academically qualified educators. A sampling of topics includes:
· Pathways of the Jewish Spirit: An Historic and Religious Survey of Judaism
· The Radiance of Torah: Commentary, Legends and Law in The Five Books
· What Is Spiritual Judaism? – Jewish Theology Past, Present and Future
· Discovering The Book of Judges: The Bible as History and Drama
· The Apocrypha: The Hidden Books Revealed
· Spiritual Speakers and Seers: An Encounter With The Prophets
· Pirkei Avot: Exploring the Talmudic Chapters of Our Ancestors
· Kabbalah: A Mystical View of Jewish Spirituality
· Jewish Concepts and Customs of Death and Mourning
· Jews in America: 500 Years of History and Healing
· Spiritual Healing in Critical Care Settings
· Is There Life After Birth? – Examining Concepts of the Afterlife
· Interfaith Marriage: History, Hysteria & Heartbreak
· How Do I Talk to God? – Spiritual Dynamics of Jewish Liturgy
· Directed Jewish Meditations: Pathways to Spiritual Harmony
· The Rise of Islam – Arabia to World Empire
The Center For Spiritual Judaism extends the services of a clinically trained and professional Jewish Chaplain to hospital, hospice, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. CSJ also offers its resources and expertise to assist Jewish and secular organizations by providing in-service educational programming. The following professional chaplaincy services are available through The Center For Spiritual Judaism:
· In-service training in Spiritual Healing
· Individual and family grief/crisis counseling
· Visitation to unaffiliated, elderly, and destitute Jews in hospice, hospital, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities
· Bikur Holim (Visiting the Sick) training and coordination for synagogues and organizations
· Seminars on Jewish customs and concepts related to death, dying, and bereavement
· Jewish Holy Day and Holiday worship services for patients and residents
· Patient advocacy and referral
· Participation on hospital and healthcare institution bioethics committees
Dr. Wellins has edited and written new translations for Jewish life-cycle ceremonies. By encouraging creative input from the participants, he personalizes and enhances the experience of the life-event rituals that CSJ offers, including:
· Brit Milah, Baby Naming and Covenant Ceremonies
· Jewish and Interfaith Weddings
· Anniversary Celebrations
· Home Consecrations
· Adult Bnai Mitzvah
· Funerals
· Memorial Services
· Unveilings
Dr. Wellins’ spiritually oriented liturgies offer a fresh, meaningful approach to the Sabbath and Jewish Holidays. The Center for Spiritual Judaism provides Jewish worship services where and when needed, as well as spiritual guidance and religious ritual to Jewish communities and individuals who do not have regular access to a Rabbi.
About Rabbi Dr. Wellins
The Center for Spiritual Judaism is led by Dr. R. Zev Wellins. “Reb Zev” offers over 35 years of professional rabbinic experience, with expertise in the areas of Jewish spirituality, chaplaincy, adult education, and life cycle ceremonies. A dynamic public speaker and educator, he has worked to promote innovative approaches to Jewish living and education, as well as community harmony and understanding through his involvement in interfaith community activities. Using a blend of traditional and kabbalistic forms, he has written spiritually oriented liturgies and has presented seminars and articles on his pioneering concepts of Spiritual Judaism and A Religion of the Heart.
The Rabbi is a faculty member of The Rabbinical Academy in New York, is currently a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains, and is Vice-President of the International Federation of Rabbis. He has served as the Jewish Community Chaplain for Phoenix’s East Valley, and Vice President of the Arizona Chaplains Association. He has also served as Jewish Chaplain and Counselor, Rabbinic Advisor and Educational Consultant for Hospice agencies in Arizona and Florida. He continues to devote time and energy to writing articles of Jewish interest for both local and national publications, as well as continuing his work in Jewish liturgy and philosophy.
Dr. Wellins received his Doctor of Divinity from The Rabbinical Academy in New York. He studied Rabbinics at the Academy for Jewish Religion and Tifereth Israel Rabbinical Academy of America in New York. He received his Teacher’s and Principal’s Certification from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. Studied in Hebrew, Arabic, and Yiddish literature, he graduated The City College of New York, Department of Classical Languages & Hebrew Literature, and attended New York University Graduate School of Middle-Eastern Studies.
