JCC Squirrel Hill: 5738 Forbes Avenue | South Hills: 345 Kane Blvd., Scott

April 1, 2023

The JCC, in partnership with Awaken Pittsburgh, the region’s go-to mindfulness resource, is providing our members with a number of in-person and virtual guided meditations each month.

Based on evidence-based meditation and mindfulness practices, participants will learn lifelong skills that have the power to transform lives. A proven effective tool for reducing stress and improving one’s focus throughout the day, a regular mindfulness practice not only brings powerful, personal benefits to practitioners but to those with whom they connect each and every day.

Awaken Pittsburgh presents our Exploring the Tree of Contemplative Practice* series, drawing inspiration from Tree of Contemplative Practice graphic from the Center for Contemplative Mind and Society.

On Saturday, April 1, 10 am-noon we continue this journey with the “Generative” branch, as Cantor Julie Newman leads us in three lovingkindness meditations, drawing on deep Jewish wisdom.

All are welcome. No prior meditation experience, or attendance at prior workshops in this series, are necessary.

Register for this event HERE.

About our presenter: Cantor Julie Newman

Julie Newman is an ordained Cantor and Jewish Educator and Spiritual leader for Chavurat Shirah-a project of Tiferet, an emerging independent minyan in Pittsburgh.

Julie crafts and leads musically intense Jewish worship services for the head, the heart and the soul. She leads contemplative spiritual retreats and Shabbatons, drawing from a variety of spiritual practices such as Jewish mindfulness meditation, chant and other musical practices, and Shira Yoga, an embodied spiritual practice that integrates yoga, mindful Jewish teachings and global music.

Mindfulness Meditation (in-person and on-line)

Awaken Pittsburgh offers three monthly guided meditations open to anyone.   This is a chance to practice mindfulness in community together.

Each session follows the same format: introductions, a period of guided meditation, and then a chance to support one another, discuss how our meditations are going at home, and ask any questions we have about practice.

Pre-registration, via the links provided, helps us to prepare and ensure that we have room for everyone.

Upcoming Mindfulness Training Sessions at the JCC:

Squirrel Hill:

2nd Saturday of each month, March 11 – 8:30-9:30 am. Register HERE

3rd Monday of each month, March 20 – 7-8 pm. Register HERE

South Hills:

1^st Tuesday of each month, April 4 – 1-2 pm. Register HERE

Essential Mindfulness Training for Educators, Youth, Therapists, Employers, and Those in Helping or High-Stress Professions

Awaken Pittsburgh is a non-profit organization committed to serving people, communities and society at large through evidence-based meditation and mindfulness programs. We are the region’s “go-to” mindfulness resource. We seek to create positive, systemic change in our backyards–and beyond–by teaching lifelong skills that have the power to transform lives.

Open to JCC members; non-members will have to present proof of Covid-19 vaccine.