How do we empower ourselves to make courageous and meaningful decisions?
01/ SARAH All humans suffer from unconscious bias; we are too close emotionally to our internal trees to see our forest with full objectivity. This lesson analyzes a slice of the life of our Matriarch Sarah, to demonstrate that the seemingly laudable might be unsound, and to reveal a G d sent solution. Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
02/ REBECCA We seek meaningful lives, but our material needs swallow our time and focus. Our Matriarch Rebecca’s twins embodied the clash between untethered spirituality and untamed materiality. This lesson explores Rebecca’s solution to this impasse as a guide for our own lives. Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
03/ RACHEL Humans are primed for self-preservation, not to sacrifice their interests or assets for others. Does Judaism expect us to make such sacrifices, and if so, to what degree? This lesson analyzes the life of our Matriarch Rachel, for inspiration and guidance on the value of acting altruistically. Wednesday, Jan 17, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
04/ ABIGAIL Life includes being redirected and redirecting others. This lesson probes the story of Abigail, a wise woman who rebuked a king, to reveal the empathetic motivation underlying her rebuke and to discover Judaism’s secret of successful intervention and redirection. TBA
05/ ESTHER Talent, time, funds, friendship, position, personality—are our resources truly ours? Which of them does Judaism expect us to devote to a higher purpose, and to what extent? This lesson consults Queen Esther; her answers guide us toward a comprehensively meaningful existence. Wednesday, Mar 13, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
06/ BATYA Judaism promotes cohesiveness and community, but not if the result is morally repugnant. It can be incredibly difficult to resist social or peer pressure. This lesson analyzes a moment in the life of heroic Princess Batya, providing us with tangible tools for handling such pressure. Wednesday, Apr 10, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
07/ RUTH Is there anything wrong with selecting the easiest, least burdensome path at each personal crossroads? This lesson examines the story of Ruth, which highlights shouldering instead of shirking responsibility, unveils our true self-worth, and guides us toward unexpected power. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Chabad of Contra Costa 1671 Newell Ave |
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