Registration

TOGETHER IN JEWISH LEARNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Batsheva Appel is the rabbi of the Reform congregation Temple Emanu-El

Fix Something: How Can We Use Our Pain?

According to Rabbi Leder: “Pain is an invitation to fix what is broken in us and the world…” But how do we do that? How do we know what tools we have in our toolbox? And what if we do not have all the tools?

Sandy Seltzer is the rabbi of the Reform Institute of Judaic Services and Studies at SaddleBrooke

Dare We Speak Of The Transformative Beauty Of Suffering During The Shoah?

However seemingly absurd and incomprehensible, it has been said that t here were spiritually uplifting moments in the Camps: moments inspiring the living to endure and bringing healing to those about to die.  Describing these moments will be the subject of our conversation.

Helen Cohn is the rabbi of Reform synagogue M’Kor Hayim

What do I say?" -- Jewish guidelines for visiting the sick

We look to Jewish wisdom for guidance in what to say, what not to say, and how to bring comfort to people who are ill.

Robert Eisen is the rabbi of Conservative synagogue Congregation Anshei Israel

But what can I do when it is me?

A myriad of books offer much in the way of philosophy, theology and abstract thinking regrading pain and suffering. However, when we are hurting “up front and personal” such words have their limits. In our discussion, Rabbi Eisen will explore a framework for finding the peace that we so desperately want and need when we are hurting. The questions we will consider are: How can we find meaning when there is none?  How we can begin to heal when there is no cure?

Thomas Louchheim is the rabbi of Reform synagogue Congregation Or Chadash

Facing Illness and Death: What do I say after “Hello?”

The pain of illness and death are sometimes too great to face for many. They are afraid to call or visit. There are others who may offer a theological line without giving real thought to its meaning. These lines shield us from facing the reality of the moment. How can we be helpful after “Hello?”

Stephanie Aaron is the rabbi of Reform synagogue Congregation Chaverim

Tikvah, Hope, Tefillah, Prayer, Tikkun, Repair: Explorations inspired by Rabbi Steve Leder.”

We will study these strands of Jewish thought and practice tikvah,  tefillah, and  tikkun as taught by Rabbi Leder, Chazal, our Sages, and Leonard Cohen, z”l, “there is a crack in  everything, that’s how the light gets in.“

Yehuda Ceitlin is the associate rabbi of Orthodox synagogue Young Israel

Dealing with Black Holes in Life

How to transform the dark voids of life into light, based on the doctrine of “tzimtzum” from the teachings of Kabbalah

Avraham Alpert is the rabbi of Conservative synagogue Congregation Bet Shalom

Every person benefits from help

Explore the richness and positive side-effects that come with attachment to a vibrant community. 

Israel Becker is the rabbi of Orthodox synagogue Congregation Chofetz Chayim

Turning Darkness to Light: Finding G-d through Suffering

The late Nobel Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel wrote in a moving letter to G-d, published in the New York Times 50 years after the Holocaust, “Let us make up . . . It is unbearable to be divorced from You for so long.” How many of us at times feel “divorced” from G-d or even sink into despair as the challenges of life are hurled at us? Judaism teaches that with the right attitude, even pain can be a catalyst to a joyful and loving relationship with G-d; join us in learning how.

Rabbi Yisroel "Billy" Lewkowicz, Director of Jewish Life & Learning at Tucson Hebrew Academy.

Does Evil Exist?

Today there is a desperate search to find the key to overcome the elements of the world of negativity, anxiety, anger, depression all the way to the appearance of evil. We want to master these negative feelings which incapacitate thousands of intelligent, capable individuals, and drain the joy of life from many others.

For more than two centuries, individuals who have lived by the teaching of Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah have been recognized as people full of joy and inspiration, radiating life and energy. This genuine joy comes from profound spiritual awareness on life and an absolute clarity of direction, living for a purpose, where evil cannot exist.