What are your new year resolutions?

We are wishing you a sweet and prosperous New Year 5772. So what are your new year resolutions this year? Would you like a set of tools which will help you be a better person, heal your relationships, and build a closer connection with Messiah? We invite you to join our second year of mussar practice with the Riverton Mussar program.

The Hebrew term Mussar (מוּסַר), is from the book of Proverbs 1:2 meaning instruction, discipline, or conduct. The Mussar movement was a Jewish ethical, educational and cultural movement that developed in 19th century Eastern Europe, particularly among Orthodox Lithuanian Jews.

Mussar is a discipline of steady personal character refinement. Our Mussar Master, Messiah Yeshua taught us how we should bring good fruit as a demonstration of our purposeful lives. Mussar is one important component of being a disciple and light of Messiah.

You are the light of the world. A city that sits on the mountain will not be hidden, nor do people kindle a lamp just to put it under the bushel measure, but on the menorah, to illuminate all who are in the house. So also, shine your light before sons of men, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, DHE)

We welcome you to participate and be active in the Riverton Mussar program.

This past year, our program featured commentary from notable leaders in our movement and several communities used this mussar program to strengthen their congregations. All of these authors and leaders participate as volunteers because they believe in the importance of this program.

Here are the unique elements Riverton Mussar provides:

a way of life transformation approachable by Jewish and non-Jewish followers alike
full integration of Yeshua's teachings as the perfect Mussar Master
insights, commentary, and advice from a network of leaders in the messianic movement
use of social networks (our website and a private Facebook group) where we can encourage each other in growth and share our discoveries as we realign our own lives
community (both physical and virtual) accountability. The impact of a large group of people working on the same character trait each week is powerful.

As we begin our new cycle starting October 30, 2011. We are offering two 6-month cycles, each just slightly different.

Here's what we will work on for this year's mussar cycles:

Cycle 1&2: Humility, Patience, Gratitude, Order, Equanimity, Honor, Enthusiasm, Silence, Generosity, Adaptability, Moderation, Loving-kindness, Responsibility

Cycle 3&4: Humility, Patience, Compassion, Order, Equanimity, Simplicity, Diligence, Silence, Generosity, Awareness, Concentration, Loving-kindness, Trustworthiness

Why become a member? Your membership helps support the program and represents an investment in your own character growth as a disciple of Messiah. If that's not enough, your membership gives you access to important materials and community support. Our basic membership package is the equivalent of spending $3 per month on a small cup of gourmet coffee.

For only $36 per year, you will receive:

access to the Connections part of the Riverton Mussar website where you can listen to past and current podcasts on middot
access to online discussion of mussar practice and specific middot on our website and through a private Facebook group for members only (NEW)
access to special classes and presentations. These online resources will strengthen and encourage your practice.
weekly emailings regarding the weekly middah
includes a copy of Everyday Holiness or the Six-Month Mussar Journal (the $54 membership includes both books)

journal5772 The new and enhanced 6-month Riverton Mussar Journal will have:

middot descriptions and guidance for cycles 1&2 (see list above)
quotes for each day
a memory phrase
suggested real-world practices to help enhance your middot development
daily checklists
space for journaling
daily and seasonal accounting charts
(see sample section)

Your membership, regardless of when you sign up, is valid for one year from your signup date and gives you access to the website and all the materials. We do encourage existing members who want to continue with the program to renew now so you can get your materials for this new season and continue through the remainder of the year and into next year. Here are a few options for new & renewing memberships, and obtaining the materials for the new year.

Get ready for the new season...

Never been a member?

Need to renew and get materials?

Just need the books?

Please contact us if you have any problems with the renewal or signup process.

In order to receive your materials before the start of the new cycle, we ask that you place your order for any new materials by midnight October 25th. This will help us to get your materials to you on time before the cycle begins.

Rav Rafael
Tishrei 5772

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