The founders of Tzama Nafshi Rav Judah & Ora Mischel, live in Ramat Beit Shemesh with their eight children.
Rav Judah is Executive Director of Camp HASC, the Jewish community's premier summer program for individuals with special needs, and is the newly appointed Mashpiah of OU-NCSY. Prior to assuming a full time role at Camp HASC, Rav Judah was a Maggid Shiur & Director of Programing at Yeshivat Reishit in Beit Shemesh.
A talmid of Yeshivat Shaalvim, he received Semicha from the Jerusalem Rabbinate, a BA in History from Yeshiva University, an MA in Education from YU’s Azrieli Graduate School, and was a Graduate Fellow at the CUNY Center for Coexistence at the School for Public Affairs. Rav Judah was Director of Student Activities and a member of the Judaic Studies faculty at the Frisch School, in Paramus, NJ, and led Aish HaTorah Jerusalem's Return & Learn Program.
Baderech: Along The Path of Teshuvah
Embark on a path of teshuvah…
בדרך, a path toward greater self-actualization, joy, and faith is one that brings us closer to the source of light within, our neshamah, our soul. With every step of this journey, we uncover more and more of who we are and what we can be.
בדרך, on this path, we discover the great treasures that lie within: our abilities, potential, strengths, and essential holiness.
בדרך, with Reb Zusha of Anipoli…
The beloved tzaddik Reb Zusha was an embodiment of unassuming righteousness, sincerity, and down-to-earth holiness, who revealed a derech of teshuvah — a systematic path of “return.”
Rooted in positivity, Reb Zusha’s real-world advice empowers us to advance personally and spiritually. This road map is not merely instruction in “how to do teshuvah” but heartfelt and valuable guidance for living consciously in the Presence of Hashem in every area of our lives.
Replete with powerful stories and illuminating, practical wisdom of the tzaddikim, Baderech is a vital companion for spiritual “travelers” at every stage, yearning to uncover their own path toward teshuvah.
CREATING
Meaningful Programming and Opportunities
STRENGTHENING
Jewish Identity and Values
RECOGNIZING
Spiritual Thirst and Inner Yearnings
צָמְאָה נַפְשִׁי לֵאלקים לְאֵ-ל חָי

Tzama Nafshi (lit. “my soul thirsts”) is dedicated to fostering Jewish identity, education and engagement, committed to working to bridge the ever widening gap between Jews in Israel, and the Diaspora.
Tzama Nafshi recognizes the fundamental spiritual thirst and inner yearning of the individual & collective Jewish soul to connect – with life, learning, tradition, and above all, with each other.
We believe in creating opportunities and the context for Jews of various backgrounds to engage in dialogue, study, and experience the sweetness of Yidishkeit, together.
Through developing meaningful programming for Jews from all walks of life and levels of affiliation to explore and participate in the vibrant spiritual traditions and cultural of Am Yisrael. Our activities & events engage participants in a broad spectrum of programs geared toward strengthening Jewish identity, values & collective responsibility.
Community
Supporting grassroots initiatives & creating opportunities for a generation that yearns…


Facilitating Togetherness
Creating new opportunites for connectivity and growth through new Torah thought.

Creating Connections
Supporting grassroots initiatives to inspire a younger generation.
Scholar In Residence & Educational Consulting
Torah Thought
A collection of Torah Thought shared by Rav Judah & members of the Tzama Family, in audio and print.
Audio Shiurim
All of Tzama Nafshi’s Audio Shiurim and content in one source for easy access and learning.
Meeting the Baal Shem Tov in Our Generation
Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 710
From Israeli hesder yeshivos to New York’s Yeshiva University, from Modern Orthodox Young Israel congregations to litvish study halls in Bnei Brak and Kiryat Sefer, it seems like everyone today is looking for the light of chassidus.
In Love with Everything Holy

Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 722.
Maybe it was ordained On High that I should have to take a circuitous route to meet my rebbi — that I should first be required to survey the vast landscape of Yiddishkeit.
Reish Millin – Shorashim

Understanding the deep and longing prayer of the Alef Beis A new translation & commentary by Rav Joey Rosenfeld
Weekly Torah Column
Tzama Nafshi’s weekly submission to the OU Israel published Torah Tidbits, the largest weekly English-language Torah publication in Israel.
It reaches an estimated 30,000 readers in almost every English-speaking community in Israel. – and, via the internet – around the world.
Tzav V’Ziruz Chabura
Weekly chabura learning of Sefer Tzav v’Ziruz, the journal kept by Rebbe Kalonymous Kalman Shapira ZY”A HY”D, the Holy Fire of Piacetzna – given at Kehilas Aish Kodesh in Ramat Beit Shemesh. ~~~~ While studying the intimate reflections of the Tzadik, we are trying to draw insight, guidance and direction in our own inner working and personal journeys.
Keeping Up With Tzama Nafshi
Events all over the world

[arrow_sf id=’4900′]