Faculty
Rabbi Howard Avruhm Addison, serves as Assistant Professor of Humanities at Temple University and is rabbi of Congregation Melrose B’nai Israel Emanuel in Cheltenham, PA. Certified as an Enneagram teacher by Helen Palmer, he is a Shalem Institute Fellow in Contemplative Group Leadership. Ordained by JTS and possessing thirty five years experience in the active rabbinate, Avruhm is the author of several books on Kabbalah, the Enneagram and interfaith traditions of Spiritual Guidance.
Barbara Eve Breitman, DMin, LCSW, is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Director of Training for the Spiritual Direction Program at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Bobbi has devoted her life’s work to healing as a psychotherapist, pastoral counselor , spiritual companion and writer. Given the title Mashpia Ruchani by Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi and Eshet Hazon by her community, Bobbi is an innovator in developing a contemporary practice of Jewish Spiritual Direction. She, together with Addison, is co-editor of Jewish Spiritual Direction and a contributing author to Jewish Pastoral Care.
Ann Kline, MA, a long-time spiritual director, author and hospice chaplain, has spent much of the past decade facilitating, teaching and promoting group spiritual direction. A contributing author to Jewish Spiritual Direction, and The Lived Experience of Group Spiritual Direction, Ann has led workshops and retreats for the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Direction, and has been a host of Buddhist, Christian and Jewish organizations.
Julie Leavitt, MA, BC-DTR, LMHC is an innovator in combining the fields of Authentic Movement and Jewish Spiritual Direction. A psychotherapist and mashpia to rabbinical students at Boston’s Hebrew College, Julie teaches dance and creative movement at Lesley College. A contributing author to Jewish Spiritual Direction, she is both the choreographer and author of “A Midrash for Dina and Lilith.” She was given the title Eshet Hazon by her community in 2003.