Living Mussar

Elul Poetry 5 - Order and Rosh Hashanah

Mandy Roll-Kuhne contemplates Rosh Hashanah and its relation to the middah of seder / order through Marge Piercy’s poem “The Late Year.” The poem can be found in the prayerbook Mishkan Halev: Prayers for S’lichot and the Month of Elul (Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017) on page 88, and it was originally published in The Crooked Inheritance: Poems (Middlemarsh Inc., 2006).

Elul Poetry 3 - Love and the V’ahavta

Mandy Roll-Kuhne considers the poem “V’ahavta for Elul” by reflecting on its message of ahavah / love. The poem appears in Mishkan Halev: Prayers for S’lichot and the Month of Elul (Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017) on page 35.

Elul Poetry 4 - Humility and Hard Ground

Michael Kuhne presents his understanding of the middah of anavah / humility as it arises in Stephen Mitchell’s translation of Yehuda Amichai’s poem “The Place Where We Are Right.” Two texts are cited in this episode. Amichai, Yehuda. “The Place Where We Are Right.” Trans. Chana Block and Stephen Mitchell. Mishkan Halev: Prayers for S’lichot and the Month of Elul. Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017. 132. The translation originally appears in The Selected Poetry of Yehuda Amichai. Trans. Chana Block and Stephen Mitchell. University of California Press, 1996. Morinis, Alan. Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar. Trumpeter, 2008.

Elul Poetry 1 - Awe and Psalm 27

Mandy Roll-Kuhne offers a Mussar interpretation of Psalm 27 via the middah of yirrah / awe.This version of Psalm 27 can be found in Opening Your Heart with Psalm 27: A Spiritual Practice for the Jewish New Year by Rabbi Debra J. Robbins, and the translation is provided by Rabbi Richard N. Levy.

Elul Poetry 2 - Hope in Days of Forgiveness and Grace

Michael Kuhne examines Lea Goldberg’s “And Will They Ever Come” and its message of tikvah / hope. Three sources are cited in this episode: Arnow, David. Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism. The Jewish Publication Society, 2022. Goldberg, Lea. “And Will They Ever Come.” Trans. Rachel Tzvia Black. Mishkan Halev: Prayers for S’lichot and the Month of Elul. Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017. 25. The translation was originally published in Selected Poetry and Drama, Trans. Rachel Tzvia Black. The Toby Press and Hakibutz Hameuchad - Sifriat Poalim Publishing House, 2005. Jaffe, David. Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change. Trumpeter, 2016.

Summer Learning 2026 Part 3: Tikvah/Hope with Author David Arnow

Julie Dean and Michael Kuhne join David Arnow in the third and final installment of the 2027 series devoted to tikvah / hope. They discuss the relationship between hope, optimism, and acceptance while considering sources from psychology and Jewish texts. Listen to the end to see how hakarat hatov / recognizing the good and tikvah / hope serve in support of one another. Sources that are referenced in the episode include a link to David’s essay “What is Hope?” as well as a short article by renowned psychologist Erik Erikson “The Life Cycle Completed.” Listeners can find more of David’s writings at his website.

Summer Learning 2026 Part 2: Tikvah/Hope

Host Michael Kuhne and Living Mussar founder Julie Dean continue the summer series on tikvah / hope. They briefly revisit the first episode (follow the link here) with David Arnow, the author of Choosing Hope, before they explore the writings of Jewish women scholars. Those interested in the study guide for this episode, which includes quotes from this episode as well as kabbalah / practices and daily phrases to assist in our practice of hope, can visit the Living Mussar website at livingmussar.org

Summer Learning 2026 Part 1: Tikvah/Hope with Author David Arnow

Join us as we kick off the 2026 summer learning series, where our focus will be on Tikvah (hope), a powerful middah through which we fuel positive action in our daily lives. This month, we speak with David Arnow, author of the book Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism on the individual and communal power of hope, and what hope has meant and continues to mean for the Jewish community. This episode features Hosts: Michael Kuhne & Julie Dean Guest: David Arnow To access our study guide for the episode, sign up for our newsletter, or learn more about Living Mussar, visit our website at www.livingmussar.org

Alan Morinis - The Shabbat Effect

Join our live studio audience for an inspiring conversation with Alan Morinis, as he shares about his newest book, The Shabbat Effect: Jewish Wisdom for Growth and Transformation. This episode takes you into the heart and soul of Alan's latest work. Listeners will surely come away with a greater appreciation for the soulfulness of Shabbat and ways each of us can engage with greater awareness, intention and joy. Alan Morinis is highly regarded as a Mussar pioneer, scholar, founder of The Mussar Institute and author of Climbing Jacob's Ladder, Every Day Holy Day, With Heart in Mind and Everyday Holiness.

Sara K - Mussar and Illuminating Voices

Join host Bonnie Dickel Hoffman for a heartfelt and illuminating conversation with fellow Living Mussar participant Sara Knauz about the launch of her pilot initiative, Illuminating Our Voices. Centered on gathering Mussar stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community, this project lifts up lived experience as sacred text — worthy of listening, learning, and honor. Together, Bonnie and Sara explore how storytelling itself becomes a Mussar practice — an expression of emet (truth), ometz lev (heart-strength), and communal responsibility. When voices are welcomed and heard, our collective path toward wholeness expands. Thoughtful, affirming, and deeply relevant, this episode invites us to listen more closely, speak more courageously, and recognize that every story has the power to illuminate our shared journey.

Julie D - Every Act Makes a Difference: Meeting this Moment with Mussar

Every Act Makes a Difference: Meeting This Moment with Mussar What does it mean to meet this moment — not with reactivity, but with presence, purpose, and heart? Join host Michael Kuhne for a rich and timely conversation with Julie Dean, founder and executive director of Living Mussar, as they explore how Mussar offers a steady compass in uncertain times. Through the transformative middot of chesed (lovingkindness), achrayut (responsibility), and ometz lev (courage of the heart), they reflect on how inner work shapes outer impact. In a world that can feel overwhelming, this episode reminds us: every act matters. Every interaction carries the possibility of dignity, repair, and holiness. When we strengthen our middot, we strengthen our communities. Thoughtful, grounding, and deeply relevant, this conversation invites you to respond to today’s challenges with intention, compassion, and courage — and to remember that even small actions can help tip the world toward healing.

Bruce M. - Mussar and Leadership

Welcome to Living Mussar; Jewish Conversations on a daily path towards wholeness. In this Episode, join host Michael Kuhne for a conversation with Bruce Matza, a passionate student of Mussar learning and practice. Bruce shares his experiences, reflections,insights and enthusiasm as a leadership consultant and active member of the Jewish community. You’ll also hear how Bruce helped Mussar become a foundation of the Mount Zion annual brotherhood retreat.

Adam G. - Mussar and Words that Matter

Adam Greenleaf joins Michael Kuhne to discuss his involvement with the Harry Kay Leadership Institute, which led to a more long-term engagement with Mussar. Adam shares his curiosity and love of words and how both contribute to his experience of living mussar.

Spirit and Song: Soul Stories

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness. In November of 2025, Living Mussar hosted the Spirit and Song event. This event featured soul stories by four Mussar practitioners as well as music by the Jewish women's acapella group, Shir Harmony. Please enjoy listening to this very special event.

Neil S. Mussar and Music

Welcome to Living Mussar: Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness. This week Michael talks with Neil Segal about Mussar, patience, listening and grief. Neil also shares a song that he wrote inspired by Mussar.

Abby F. Mussar and Change

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness. Today we welcome Abby Fenton who talks about going through a big change and how Mussar has helped her through change and growth.

Luke W. - Mussar and Communal Wholeness

Welcome to Living Mussar, Jewish Conversations on a Daily Path Towards Wholeness. Today we welcome Luke Weisberg, who discusses how Mussar has helped him to further communal shlemut (wholeness).

Episode Three: The Power of Silence, Summer Series

Ecclesiastes 3:7 עֵ֥ת לַחֲשׁ֖וֹת וְעֵ֥ת לְדַבֵּֽר A time for silence and a time for speaking; The “Life-Giving Power of Silence” launches today as the third installment of our ongoing Power of Speech Summer Series. As the quote from Ecclesiastes above reminds us, alongside the practices of mindful speech and attentive listening, we turn to the balancing middah of Sh’tikah—the essential discipline of cultivating silence and intentional pause in our lives. Dive deeper with our thoughtfully crafted study guide, designed to help you reflect on the sacred role silence plays in spiritual growth. Then, listen to our latest podcast episode, where we engage in a rich conversation about how Sh’tikah nurtures inner balance and deepens our awareness of speech’s power. Join us as we discover together how silence can be a profound life-giving force for connection. THE POWER OF SPEECH, SHTIKAH/SILENCE - STUDY GUIDE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_tsqhL7Nd1pDJkDNavEz5x6WfH0Jw8huP2v34zsUXw8/edit?usp=sharing

Episode Two: Attentive Listening, Summer Series

Episode One: The Power of Speech, Summer Series