Writing Toward the New Year with Debra Solomon Baker

NEW DATE-SEPTEMBER 15

Tuesdays, September 1^st and 15^th at 7:00pm

Writing can be a true spiritual discipline. Writing can help us to get in touch with the deeper stirrings of our hearts, to clarify our minds … to give artistic expression to what we are living, and to store significant events in our memories. – Henri Nouwen

With the new year almost upon us, these workshops will use prayers and themes from the high holidays as we pause to reflect on ourselves and the world around us.

Sept. 1 – Hakarat HaTov – All the Good That We Have Done

Sept. 15 – Slichot – Forgiving Others, Forgiving Ourselves

Join Debra for one or both sessions as she guides us through writing as a spiritual practice.  All are welcome.  No previous writing experience is necessary.  Click here to sign up.

A published writer and writing coach, Debra Solomon Baker carries a notebook through life, scribbling down small moments before they drift away.  She was awarded this year’s Humorist-in-Residence award through the Erma Bombeck Foundation, which afforded her time and space to work on an essay collection about reinventing herself in her 50s. 

An Evening of Gratitude and Poetry

Tuesday, October 13, 7pm

Join us for the launch of Scott Berzon’s poetry collection, Brine & Bloom: Poems of Gratitude. Scott will talk about the motivations behind this collection and share selections from the new book that will delight and inspire. Sales from the book (and associated art prints) will help support the Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis.  Click here to sign up.

Poet and reviewer Marjorie Stelmach writes of the book, “These are poems to read with pleasure for their keen intelligence, the resonance of their imagery, and their deft handling of the music of language—and then, to reread with gratitude for the small things that save us.”

Scott Berzon holds an MFA in Poetry from the University of Michigan and is the recipient of various literary awards including the Roy W. Cowden Memorial Fellowship. Scott enjoys teaching creative writing throughout the community including to residents of Crown Center for Senior Living and participants of the Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis. He is currently pursuing a certification in Poetry Therapy.

Ongoing Programs at the Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis

Weekly Mindfulness Mediation Sits

9 a.m. on Tuesday Mornings on Zoom

Join Rabbi Andrea Goldstein for these weekly Mindfulness Meditation sits incorporating teachings and stories from the weekly Torah portions, Jewish prayer, and tradition. No meditation experience is necessary, all are welcome, and no registration is needed. For information about how to join, make sure you are getting our weekly Mindfulness e-mails. If you don’t get our Monday e-mails, click here to sign up.

Spiritual Direction: A Chance to Explore the Holiness of Your Life

Monday afternoons with Rabbi Goldstein, by appointment only

Spiritual Direction is a practice involving meeting with a spiritual director on a monthly basis to cultivate the ability to discern the holiness, spiritual or sacred in all aspects of life. Rabbi Goldstein completed the Spiritual Direction practicum to become a spiritual director at the Aquinas Institute of Theology in 2018.

There is no cost for members of Congregation Shaare Emeth, though it is customary to make a donation to the Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis after each session. The cost for non-members is $50 per session.

To set up a first appointment contact Stacy Jespersen.