Mussar in Recovery

Advance Praise

“Mussar in Recovery is a lucid and practical guidebook to recovery that draws on the venerable and time-tested Jewish wisdom tradition of Mussar. The integration of Mussar and Twelve Steps clarifies, illuminates and fortifies a pathway that every person can walk – to become more whole and more illuminated – for the sake of their own soul and of the world.”
—Dr. Alan Morinis, founder, The Mussar Institute, author, Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar

“Mussar in Recovery is a sacred offering for anyone yearning to reconnect—with themselves, with their community, and with the Divine. Hannah L.’s brave storytelling, grounded in personal experience and spiritual insight, illuminates a path of healing rooted in Jewish tradition. Through the weaving of ancient Mussar teachings and the wisdom of the Twelve Steps, this book guides us out of the darkness of addiction, reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, and invites us into a life of greater wholeness. It’s a powerful book for seekers of all kinds and a testament to the soul’s capacity for transformation.”
—Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City, author, Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging 

“Hannah L. and Rabbi Winokur may have written Mussar in Recovery for Jews, but the book’s wisdom is for addicts and those who love them regardless of religion. By weaving the deep spirituality of Mussar, moral character building, with the Twelve Steps, they offer you a process of recovery that is physically healing, morally redemptive, and spiritually transformative. If you know you’re an addict, read this book. If you don’t know you’re an addict, read this book—twice!”
—Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Recovery: The Twelve Steps as Spiritual Practice

“In Mussar in Recovery, Hannah captures the process of healing and recovery with warmth and compassion. She generously shares her own journey which adds hope to support readers as they begin their own. Hannah’s clear road map and tools can be applied wherever you wish to see your own change and growth.”
—Gail Sinai, JD, LCSW

“With honesty and compassion, Mussar in Recovery reveals how timeless spiritual principles—truth, humility, faith, and responsibility—can help us break free from destructive patterns and uncover our best selves. A powerful resource for Jews and non-Jews alike, this book is an invitation to transformation, reminding us that recovery is not just about abstaining, but about embracing a life of meaning, connection, and inner peace. The structure of the practices and the prompts in each chapter make Mussar in Recovery a valuable resource for for individuals as well as use in facility or other group settings.”
—Todd Stumbo, Chief Executive Officer at Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery and MARR Addiction Treatment Centers

“We are living in a time of crisis. This book offers a way out… if we’re brave enough to take it.”
—Rabbi Ilan Glazer, author, And God Created Recovery: Jewish Wisdom to Help You Break Free From Your Addiction, Heal Your Wounds, and Unleash Your Inner Freedom

“Broadly defining addiction as the pursuit of a substance, person, or experience at the expense of well-being, the authors construct a flexible framework that links spiritual, emotional, and psychological health using a blend of ancient and contemporary wisdom. Addicts and those who love them have plenty to gain.”
—Publishers Weekly