Alan Morinis, director and founder of the Mussar Institute, will be the Sheldon Kutnick Scholar in Resident at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ) in Chester, the weekend of May 1-3.

Raised in a secular Jewish family, Morinis explored Hinduism and Buddhim as a young man. But in the face of a personal crisis, he turned to his Jewish heritage and happened upon a spiritual tradition called “Mussar.” He soon recognized the practice as “an insightful discipline for self-development, complete with contemplative and transformative practices designed to penetrate the deepest roots of the inner life.”

In his work, Morinis addresses Mussar’s 18 soul traits: humility, patience, gratitude, compassion, order, equanimity, honor, simplicity, enthusiasm, silence, generosity, truth, moderation, loving kindness, responsibility, trust, faith and yirah (a combination of fear and awe).

“The Mussar tradition is a beautiful example of how spiritual work can and must transform our most mundane, everyday interactions and experiences,” says CBSRZ’s Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg.

The three-day program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 1: 6 p.m., dairy/vegetarian potluck dinner, followed at 7 p.m. by a Shabbat evening service with a sermon by Morinis, “What is Mussar and Why Should I Care?”

Saturday, May 2: 10 a.m. Shabbat morning service with a sermon by Morinis, “Torah Through a Mussar Lens,” followed by a dairy potluck luncheon and, at 1 p.m., a text study entitled, “Why You Are, How You Are and What’s Your Potential?”

Sunday, May 3: 11:10 a.m., Experiential workshop for adults. Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek is located at 55 East Kings Highway in Chester.  For more information, visit www.cbsrz.org or call (860) 526-8920.