Alan Morinis is the founder of the Mussar Institute. He is an anthropologist, filmmaker, writer, and student of spiritual traditions who regularly lectures and facilitates workshops. Raised in a culturally Jewish but non-observant home, he studied anthropology at Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. His books include Pilgrimage in the Hindu Tradition, Climbing Jacob's Ladder and Everyday Holiness: the Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar.