Deepening the quality of communal prayer to activate the body, touch the heart, engage the mind, and nuture spiritual growth.
Click here if you are already participating in DLTI VI and would like to register for the final retreat being held February 15 - 20, 2012.
Click here if you would like to apply for DLTI VII, beginning in July 2012.
The Davennen' Leadership Training Institute (DLTI) offers a unique learning experience to help those who lead worship in a Jewish context to deepen the quality of communal prayer so that it activates the body, touches the heart, engages the mind, and nourishes spiritual growth and insight. Employing the participatory approach of an intensive master class, this program coaches you in the high art of leadership of public ritual and prayer.
In this program consisting of four retreats, you become part of a living and learning fellowship — deeply engaged in the process of communal prayer and ritual. Throughout each retreat you join with core faculty and guest master-teachers in ongoing davvenen', text study, group discussions and coaching.
- Week 1: July 30 – August 5, 2012
- Week 2: February 2013
- Week 3: Late July 2013
- Week 4: February 2014
Leadership Skills for Building Community
Prayer can be electric and alive. Prayer can touch the soul, burst forth a creative celebration of the spirit, and open deep wells of gratitude, longing and praise. Jewish prayer in its essence is soul dialogue and calls us into relationship within and beyond.
We intuitively know when group prayer is working. Through the power of ancient and modern words and melodies, we venture into realms of deep emotion and find longing, sorrow, hope, wholeness, connection and peace. When guided by skilled leaders of prayer and ritual, our complacency is challenged, we can break through outworn assumptions about God and ourselves, and emerge refreshed and inspired to meet the challenges our lives offer. As rabbis, educators and prayer leaders, we aspire to meaningful prayer and ritual. How does one learn to create transformational spiritual experiences that will vitalize our communities?
The Davennen' Leadership Training Institute is a living-learning experience that will enable participants from all Jewish environments to gain:
- Deep understanding, experience and skill with the evolution, practice and meaning of Jewish prayer.
- Grounding in liturgical sources and the inner structure of services, with special emphasis on Shabbat.
- Advanced skills in the inspirational use of personal presence.
- Practice and experience in creating prayerful environments, working with group energetics, and balancing structure with spontaneity.
- Each session is further enriched by special programs and trainings with DLTI special guest faculty.
This program is designed for both the experienced leader and someone emerging into leadership.
Rabbi Marcia Prager is a vibrant teacher, storyteller, ritual artist, and therapist. She is Director and Dean of Ordination Programs for ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, and rabbi for the P'nai Or Jewish Renewal communities of Philadelphia, PA, and Princeton, NJ. Her book, The Path of Blessing (Bell Tower 1998 /Jewish Lights 2003) is an exploration of the profound spiritual wisdom that lies in the Jewish practice of blessing. She is the creator of the unique P'nai Or Siddurim for Shabbat and other innovative approaches to prayer and liturgy. She and her husband Hazzan Jack Kessler travel widely to teach in an array of Jewish and interfaith settings. rabbimarciaprager.com
Rabbi Shawn Israel Zevit is a leader in in spiritual and congregational life, organizational and congregational consulting and training, educational arts, writing, musical and liturgical recording (6 CDs), teaching and performing. A graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and with smicha from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, he has served congregations and havurot from all streams of Judaism with a regard for tradition and creative innovation. He is an adjunct professor at Siegal College in Cleveland, spiritual director and core faculty in the ALEPH Hashpa'ah Program, author of Offerings of the Heart (2005, Alban), Co-Editor of Brother Keepers (2010, Men's Studies Press) and numerous other publications. rabbizevit.com
DLTI In The News
At Davennen’ Leadership Institute, A Chance To Deepen Spiritual Experience
Growing a Spiritual Toolbox: DLTI retreat attracts international communal leaders and learners
How to Apply
Fill out our online application. One of the DLTI teachers will contact you, and you will be notified when registration is open.
