The Living Jewishly Podcast

“Since I've acknowledged PTSD and what's going on, and accepted the facts, and stopped seeing it as a sign of weakness, I've made some progress.” — Wilson Taguinod Facing our challenges is the first step to healing, according to guest Wilson Taguinod. On this episode of What’s In Your Toolbox: An Honest Discussion on Mental Health, host Bobby Koven has a deep conversation with Wilson about his challenges with PTSD and depression, as a veteran of the Vietnam war and a person who lives with cancer.  Wilson has developed several coping tools to manage his mental health struggles, including fly fishing, reading, woodworking and puzzles. But he also relies on his family, specifically his wife, who helps him to reframe and put into perspective, the thought processes that lead him towards depression. Wilson has developed intuitive strategies to notice negative thoughts, and reset, and has begun learning how to manage anger based on cause and effect. Tune in to learn what Wilson’s advice is for anyone who is struggling with mental health, and learn how he developed his coping strategies so that you can apply his learnings to your own experience. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ✔ PTSD as a war veteran ✔ Strategies to reframe negative thoughts ✔ The power of acknowledging the thing that is challenging you, to work towards recovery  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01 Intro 02:34 Meet Wilson Taguinod 04:28 Wilson’s experience with PTSD 10:40 Fly fishing as a tool to manage mental health 16:22 How Wilson managed his anger 18:11 Obtaining a university degree despite mental health challenges   22:02 How Wilson’s tools have helped him   25:45 Wilson’s Amazing Support Team   27:58 Wilson’s advice  29:13 Wrap up Links:‌ ‌  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

Tu B'Shvat is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the renewal of trees in a yearly cycle. Elliott notes, the timing of the holiday on the Jewish calendar is weird, falling out in the middle of winter. If we really wanted to get into the spirit of the day, we'd send everyone out into the middle of nature, "into the wild," to experience the trees. Rabbi Yossi points out that the winter is also a cool time to think about trees, because it is when the sap starts to run. The trees are starting to come alive, on the inside, where the sap is starting to build. Really, this is symbolic of the inner growth that takes place inside of us as human beings. Yossi adds that maple syrup is an ancient food but you have to get rid of the excess foam, which is a great metaphor for what people have to do - to keep the sweet parts of ourselves and get rid of the excess. As Yossi says, "whatever your winter looks like" you have to learn to go through the dark nights and come out on the other side. Elliott also notes that educationally, Tu B'shvat should teach us to "throw out the playbook." Jewish schools could plan a trip, throw away the books for a day, and take students out into nature to experience renewal and the miracle of creation. The holiday of the trees shows us that religious education can be found as much in nature as in textbooks. Yossi says there should be "Outward Bound" program for Tu B'shvat. This holiday represents the environmental ethic of the ancient rabbis and their view of the ecosystem, exemplified in the discussion of rain in the second paragraph of the Shema prayer. God gives human stewardship over the earth and it is up to us to make sure we treat that as a sacred trust. In an age of climate change, this is a powerful message.Shout out to the late great Neil Peart of Rush and his wonderful song "The Trees!" This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌  The importance of Tu B’Shvat  How to use this time of year to cultivate renewal in oneself The history of Tu B’Shvat Email us at hello@livingjewishly.org,  we would love to hear from you! Be sure to follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/living.jewishly/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/livingjewishly/  If you like the show, please leave a review, it helps us to reach more people just like you. Links:‌ ‌  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“We age with success when we are in connection with others, it's relational.” — Sue Lantz  On today’s episode of What’s In Your Toolbox: An Honest Discussion On Mental Health, host Bobby Koven has a conversation with Sue Lantz, a boomer who is hoping to live a long and healthy life, and founder of Collaborative Aging. Sue is passionate about sharing her healthcare, housing, and caregiving expertise in a way that helps her peers – along with the people who will be supporting them – to envision and fulfill their best possible aging transitions and experiences. Sue discovered early in her career that designing systems and tools for various populations requires an immense amount of collaboration - not just from individuals but from organizations as well. She took this wide breadth of experience with collaborations to develop Collaborative Aging, a platform that offers educational and consulting services to help individuals, families, and communities, to prepare the way for healthy, empowered aging and balanced caregiving. Tune in to hear how Sue’s journey with elder care crossed over with various mental health experiences, and for some inspiration to plan your future as you age, collaboratively. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   Forming teams of care providers to age on your own terms ✔   The effects of aging on our mental health ✔   The importance of planning for care and support as we age  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Welcome 02:29 Meet Sue Lantz 05:10 Collaborative Aging   09:17 How Sue’s path led her here 14:02 Sue’s career journey  23:01 What’s in Sue’s toolbox  26:01 Sue’s journey with mindfulness   27:40 Aging and mindfulness 29:01 Sue’s Amazing Support Team  31:10 Sue’s advice for collaborating with aging parents  34:40 Next episode teaser  Links:‌ ‌  www.collaborativeaging.com  https://optionsopen.org  https://instagram.com/optionsopenguide  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains content around self-harm and suicide and brief mention of sexual violence against children. “They tried to ‘fix’ my stigmas to make me like everyone else, rather than leveraging my gifts. I said, ‘screw that, I'm gonna manage my gifts.’ And I started developing my gifts and ignoring the stigma.” — Tim Nelson In this episode of What’s In Your Toolbox: An Honest Discussion on Mental Health, Bobby Koven interviews Tim Nelson about his mental health journey. This conversation is raw and authentic, and at times may be triggering to some listeners. We have noted the timestamps for the triggering content. Tim Nelson is an expert problem solver, but he wasn’t always able to use his dyslexia and dyscalculia to his advantage. Tim was diagnosed in his early twenties, but through the lens of stigma. And his late diagnosis prevented him from integrating into the mainstream school system. But as a creative problem solver, Tim chose to see his diagnoses as little annoyances rather than burdens, and followed the path of his dyslexia as a gift.  In his youth, Tim developed seven skills that helped him navigate his childhood through learning disabilities and other mental health challenges. The skills are creativity, coaching projects, running programs, improving people, knowing oneself, understanding interactions and defining standard work. Developing these consistent skills was key in overcoming the challenges of dyslexia and dyscalculia, and the consistency has paid off, putting Tim in charge of some of the largest projects in the world.  Tim has also put his RECOVER system into practice to recuperate from life events that had a massive impact on him.  RECOVER is an acronym; R is receive help, E is exhibit compliance, C is care, O is outline a schedule, V is venture out, E is establish purpose, and R is reach for the stars. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔ How dyslexia and dyscalculia impact learning and education and self-esteem ✔ The seven skills Tim developed to overcome dyslexia and dyscalculia challenges ✔ Tim’s RECOVER acronym Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Intro 02:53 Meet Tim Nelson 09:10 Tim’s Gifts 11:33 Growing up 12:48 Tim’s seven skills 15:08 Diagnosing dyslexia and dyscalculia 20:55 Leveraging gifts 22:57 Bipolar diagnosis and mania 23:52 TRIGGER WARNING: Self-harm and suicide 26:42 Tim’s RECOVER acronym 28:30 TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual violence towards children 30:59 Tim’s Amazing Support Team 33:28 TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide 35:18 Tim’s advice to others About Guest: Tim Nelson is an expert problem solving coach, change agent, global diversity and inclusion ambassador and author and inventor. Links:‌ Connect with Tim: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-nelson-0270526 Website https://onefivefifty.com/ To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.   Shalom!

“Anger can be illogical and it can cause a lot of harm. But it also can be righteous and it can be rectifying something that’s wrong.” — Ganga Devi What is the role of anger in our lives? And what can we learn from our sense of it? This episode of Living Jewishly is an instalment of Scared Time, a podcast devoted to the healing art of the Hebrew calendar. As we bid goodbye to Chanukah, we enter Tevet, the tenth month of the calendar. This is a time of cold and darkness, but one that evokes a fiery emotion. Its 10th day commemorates the onset of the siege of Jerusalem — no wonder that Tevet is associated with the sense of anger.  Tevet is also connected to the story of Purim, as it is in the month of Tevet that Esther was taken to the King Achashverosh's palace to be chosen as Queen.  Most of us are only aware of anger when we feel it or when others feel it toward us, but in these heightened states we are unable to reflect on and understand the wisdom and potential carried within it. Tevet offers us the rare opportunity to examine anger from a place of peace.  Through drawing on Kabbalistic themes and psychological tools, we may work intentionally with anger and see it with new eyes. This episode explores anger’s purpose — how it can point us to unmet needs and fuel us to make necessary changes in our lives, relationships, and social systems. “That is what Tevet gives us to work with. It’s understanding: what is anger? What does it mean to play with the fire of anger?” — Bluth This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ How anger can be used as a tool to create positive and necessary change Comparisons between ecological fire and the fire of anger, and how each plays a role in stripping away what no longer serves How to differentiate between the needs and the strategies connected with our anger Highlights:‌ 01:30  Welcome to Tevet 02:58  Purim & The Book of Esther 03:53  Chanukah & Purim 06:39  Tevet & anger 08:04  Comparison between anger & fire 10:46  Emotions as data points  12:10  Regenerative anger & trauma 15:13  Empathic communication & reframing 19:58  Our needs v. our strategies 24:45  The Language of Emotions 26:51   Ganga Devi’s story  31:41  The Work That Reconnects 33:10  Tools within & without us 37:31  Cultivating integrity Links:‌ Marshall Rosenberg https://www.nonviolentcommunication.com Alexandra Paretta, Tantra practitioner https://www.wovenyin.com Karla McLaren, The Language of Emotions https://karlamclaren.com/product/the-language-of-emotions-book https://karlamclaren.com/understanding-and-befriending-anger Joanna Macy, The Work That Reconnects https://www.joannamacy.net/main To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly: Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org Visit our learning community: https://www.schooloflivingjewishly.com Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    Send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org Shalom!

“That's where I really rely on our traditional teachings because it speaks to humility, and understanding that your gifts are valuable. And everybody has gifts.” — Jillian Morris Trigger Warning: This episode makes brief mention of self harm and addiction. On this episode of What’s In Your Toolbox: An Honest Discussion on Mental Health, host Bobby Koven shares a deep and open conversation with his guest Jillian Morris which started at a chance meeting in New Brunswick.  In this conversation, Jillian shares some of the tools that her community uses to heal the indigenous communities in Ontario, and further expanding into Canada.  A member of the Feather Carriers, Jillian is committed to community mobilization that enhances mental health and addictions and suicide prevention through a culturally appropriate training.  One thing is for sure, Jillian will absolutely inspire you to take up a practice of gratitude for every element of life, which is an excellent tool to manage mental health. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔ The power and importance of storytelling ✔ Connecting to your own spirituality through healing ✔ Sharing your gifts as a way to contribute to a larger community About Jillian: Jillian is Kanien’kehaka, a member of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, and Poet Laureate for Collingwood. Jillian is a former federal public servant and in addition to writing, she is a researcher, creator, public engager, mother, wife, and bridge builder. Jillian is also a member of the Unity Collective where she finds endless reward in volunteering and working to build relationships, capacity, and understanding. Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Intro 02:54  Meet Jillian Morris   08:35  The call to nature   10:02  Spirituality   11:21  Tools for healing  13:01 Jillian’s path of healing   15:15 Traditional teachings 24:45 The Feather Carriers 26:07 Jillian’s Amazing Support Team (JAST) 26:51 The power of listening   30:17 Next episode  Links:‌ ‌  Connect with Jillian: https://www.jillianmorris.ca/ instagram: @jk_morris_less Collingwood Today: https://www.collingwoodtoday.ca/columns/kanikonhriio/column Wise Practices: https://wisepractices.ca/practices/feather-carriers/ To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“Dreaming is a necessary complement to our waking life that allows us to rest and integrate and regenerate.” — Ganga Devi As home to the holiday of Chanukah, Kislev is a time for celebration, light, and togetherness. But it is also a time for sleeping, for dreaming, and for integrating the teachings of our dreams into our waking lives. The beauty of the cyclical nature of our Hebrew calendar is that it creates space for us to explore its universal and resonant themes each year as different people, bringing with us new experiences and perspectives that shift and re-shape the ways in which we engage and reflect. This episode of the Living Jewishly Podcasts is a replay of the Kislev episode of Sacred Time, a podcast about the healing art of the Hebrew calendar.  Looking toward Channukah as a time of light, dedication, and grace within a time of darkness, this conversation deeply examines Kislev’s overarching themes of sleep, death, dreams, and light, and moves thoughtfully through the cyclical nature of the rhythms of creation. “There’s something about this time of sleep and slumber and darkness — we are actually deeply held.” — Bluth This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ How dreams inspire, enrich, and borrow from our waking lives — and their connection to prophecy How our relationship with sleep can inform and soften our relationship to death The symbolic meaning behind Channukah falling across both Kislev and Tevet  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:52  Intro 01:51  Kislev & Samec 05:00  The circle of our daily rhythms 07:46  Dreams, prophecy & waking life 09:58  Death & sleep 12:14  Midrash: Adam & the Garden of Eden 16:09  Living Jewishly Channukah Guide 19:01  Channukah & Kislev 22:01  Darkness & light 24:03  Ganga Devi’s dream work 29:29  Mourning rituals & Waking Life Links:‌ ‌  Living Jewishly Channukah Guide https://livingjewishly.org/channukah  Waking Life (2001) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waking_Life  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“Even when it doesn’t feel like there is excitement, there are our rhythms and there are our cycles.” — Bluth  After the social and structured rituals of the High Holidays, the month of Cheshvan is a period of personal contemplation during which we turn to the quieter rhythms of our daily commitments. The absence of Holy Days during this month challenges us to source our connection with the sacred from within. In doing so, we are able to look both back and forward to address our priorities — what is meaningful and important at this moment. This instalment of the Living Jewishly Podcasts revisits the Cheshvan episode of Sacred Time, a podcast devoted to the healing art of the Hebrew calendar.  Bluth and Ganga Devi discuss the month of Cheshvan, and the many ways that we can develop structures and systems to reconnect us with our true priorities in life. Though it is a more introspective month, it is still one of action. The process of self-inquiry identifies what is precious and tender to us, so we are then able to step fully into those relationships — with the divine, with our loved ones, and with ourselves. “The structures and systems of religions should exist to support each of our own personal and direct relationships with what is sacred.” — Ganga Devi This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ Being mindful of how we relate to systems of authority and power outside of ourselves in our relationship with what is sacred The importance of motivating ourselves to find empowerment in responsibility by creating our own structures in the absence of external ones Why Cheshvan is the perfect time to focus on restorative and nurturing self-care   ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:51  Intro 01:51  The month of Cheshvan 04:42  What is sacred to us? 08:03  Self-inquiry & creating our own structures 10:38  External structures 12:22  The sacred in the mundane 13:37  Taking action & finding support 16:50  Rhythms & cycles 18:20  Modeh Ani & daily commitments 25:06  The School of Living Jewishly Links:‌ ‌  Living Jewishly Yoga for Cheshvan with Jenna Zadaka:  https://livingjewishly.org/rosh-chodesh-cheshvan-with-guest-yoga-teacher-jenna-zadaka  The School of Living Jewishly https://www.schooloflivingjewishly.com  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“Life is for the living. You have to go on, and make the best you can out of your present situation and utilize your tools” — Nate Leipciger Mental health is a different story across generations, and on today’s episode of What’s In Your Toolbox: An Honest Discussion on Mental Health, host Bobby K. has a conversation with Holocaust survivor Nate Leipciger about the tools he cultivated to survive.  One of Nate’s survival skills, awareness, helped him during his time in Auschwitz, and then in his early years in Canada. Learning new rules every day, helped to keep him from standing out, and ultimately being freed at the end of WWII.  You’ll definitely want to tune into this episode to hear Nate’s story of survival, and the lessons Nate learned that can be used as mental health tools for many generations to come. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   How Nate survived the concentration camp ✔   How Nate navigated immigrating to Canada and how the survivor skills he learned helped him  ✔   Nate’s mission to educate future generations about the Holocaust  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Introduction 04:31  Meet Nate Leipciger 07:32  Nate’s story 18:50  Coming to Canada 22:19  Nate’s survival toolbox 25:32  The King of Kensington 27:33  Cole’s Notes 29:47  Starting a business 34:20  Educating youth about the Holocaust 40:07  Problem solving 43:43  Self-hypnosis 46:21  Nate’s Amazing Support Team 49:53  Wrapping up About Guest: Nathan (Nate) Leipciger, who has a B.A. in Science, lived through the horrors of the Holocaust, where he was forced to live and work in Nazi concentration camps, losing his mother and sister, and enduring several closed brushes with death before the end of the Second World War. Having suffered and witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of hatred and war, Leipciger went on to dedicate his life to educating Canadians and global citizens about the dangers of racism and the importance of tolerance, inclusivity, and dialogue. Through thoughtful stewardship of various institutions involved in Holocaust education, Nate's efforts are credited with educating young generations of Canadians about the Holocaust, and teaching them the virtues of respect and acceptance. Links:‌ ‌  Learn about Nate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nate_Leipciger Link to Nate’s Book The Weight of Freedom: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=nate+leipciger&hvadid=254863918482&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9104712&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10619440215456575975&hvtargid=kwd-473138502367&hydadcr=10108_10274008&tag=googcana-20&ref=pd_sl_5aiccf9sx7_e To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.     Shalom!

“At what point in our history did our houses become ‘not nature’?” — Julia Plevin The earth is our home, our classroom, and our legacy — how can we create a nurturing relationship with the earth that allows all living creatures to thrive? Sukkot, the ancient Jewish Harvest festival, is an invitation for people of the Jewish faith to experience, celebrate, and revere the gift of our natural world. But in the face of the looming climate change crisis and global food insecurities, what can Sukkot teach us about how to live in harmony with nature — and what spiritual and secular practices can help us ensure our ongoing survival? This episode of Living Jewishly is the third and final of a series of special episodes exploring the Jewish holidays. Dr. Elliot Malamet is joined by guests Julia Plevin and Rabbi Rachel Rosenbluth, who have actively engaged nature as a powerful focal point in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives.  This episode dives into our evolving relationship with the natural world, how to incorporate our holiday messages into the rest of our year, and the importance of embracing our identities as beings of nature.      “We’ve disconnected ourselves from nature in our capitalist and extractive culture… we are nature. We are a part of nature.” — Bluth This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ How to experience Sukkot as a powerful invitation into a more sustainable, in-tune, and natural way of living  How to involve nature in your daily spiritual practice — and the healing benefits you can enjoy Why now is the time to seriously care about the state of our world — and why it is so urgent  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:52  Introduction 02:23  The sukkah as metaphor  05:01  The sukkah as liminal space 06:21  Technology conquering nature 08:03  The sukkah as a home 09:49  Nature as daily spiritual practice 16:33  The six directions   17:24  Segmentation of holiday messages & shmita 19:47  Importance of identity & reconnection 25:57  Thinking beyond the abstract 26:45  Environmentalism & diaspora 30:58  Turning to, not away 33:50  Nature-integrated spiritual practices 41:09  Judaism as a nature-based religion Links:‌ ‌  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“Do Jewish prayer services nurture us… or narrow us?” — Dr Elliot Malamet This is the first episode in a series of special Living Jewishly podcast episodes that will take a deeper look at the Jewish holidays.  As we approach Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, many of us will celebrate the high holidays by attending synagogue or shul. However, particularly for young Jews not religiously oriented in the traditional sense, there is an increasing disconnect to synagogue life, institutional ritual, and liturgy. With shul attendance also affected by Covid-19, communities have been further distanced by digital spaces.   This episode explores our emotional, spiritual, and social relationship with — and connection to — synagogue structures and prayer services during the high holidays.  In a series of illuminating interviews with members of the Jewish community, traditional and modern approaches to the language and practice of prayer are discussed in relation to virtual engagement, the campfire community, and how we connect in a changing world. “The act of prayer is an act of commission and omission. It has to be both, and you have to engage and disengage at the same time.” — Rabbi Yossi Saberman This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ What millennial Jews think about synagogue life — and what they would change about prayer services and texts  Working with sacred texts — the tension between humanism and the sacred in prayer language  How the practice of non-traditional prayer, such as social justice activism as a form of holy work and divine communication, can be secular or complement institutional ritual   ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:51  Introduction 02:02  Ruth Chitiz & changes to prayer 06:11  Noah Tile & identity 07:49  Jenny Young & inclusion 10:04  Divine connection in Judaism v. Christianity 12:24  Sam Venis & interpreting tradition     15:18  Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz & maintaining mission   17:19  Synagogue infrastructure: Connection & relationships   19:30  Social justice activism as prayer   20:54  Rituals as reflection 23:40  Yom Kippur: Navigating affirmation & judgement 27:19  Dr Zindel Segal & prayer meditation 30:08  Prayer mindfulness 34:09  Lisa Morrison & prayer in the pandemic 36:24  Rabbi Yossi Saberman & listening to yourself 38:30  Prayer language 46:11  Covid-19 & structural changes 47:07  Menachem Feuer & virtual communities 48:40  Rabbi Yossi Saberman & post-pandemic shul 52:21  Social connection 55:08  Dynamic synagogue 59:17  Recap & community challenges Links:‌ ‌  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“Repentance, in essence, embodies a return to our best selves, the me that each of us really wants to be.” — Dr. Elliott Malamet Is it time to change the course of your life? Perhaps this episode of The Living Jewishly Podcast is exactly what you need in order to instigate that change.  In this episode, Dr. Elliott Malamet breaks down the four components outlined in the Talmud for changing one’s circumstances. Giving to charity, crying out, changing names, and changing actions. As a bonus, he explains how changing one’s physical place can have equally beneficial effects on redirecting the course of one’s life. As we approach the High Holidays this episode may provide you with the opportunity to explore deeply within yourself, whether you wish to make a change, big or small, and how you might go about doing it. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   The Jewish teaching for changing direction ✔   How you can implement change in your own life ✔   When to know that it’s the right time to make a change  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Intro   00:54  How to change one’s course in life   02:12  Giving to charity   03:08  Cry out 04:48  Change of name   06:21  Change your actions   07:36  Changing your place  11:09  Recap   Links:‌ ‌  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else, is the greatest accomplishment.” — Dr. Elliott Malamet In this special SOLJ (School of Living Jewishly) episode, Dr. Elliott Malamet brings us a conversation about the most important prayer Jewish people revisit each year at Rosh Hashanah, Unetanah Tokef.  Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on the year that has just passed, and meditate on the one that is about to come. Each year we have a certain set of expectations that things will not change - but in anticipation of change, how can we prepare ourselves for the year ahead? How can we accept that death may come, or that loved ones may change life direction and move away? At the end of this episode, stay tuned for Elliott’s practical questions and exercises that will help you to prepare for the High Holidays, and set intentions for how you would like to spend your time in the year to come. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   Preparing our thoughts and revisiting our routines in anticipation of Rosh Hashanah ✔   What to do when life’s plans get off track ✔   How to be more mindful of the time we have available to us  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Intro 01:20  High Holidays   02:11  The most important prayer   04:25  Routine expectations   06:50  Denial of death 11:05  Dying vs. time passing   14:32  Expectations vs. reality 17:00  Connection to the High Holidays  19:46  Restarting and changing course   23:19  Motivation to change   25:37  Questions for change 27:31  Practical exercises  Links:‌ ‌  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“I'm getting better and better at just saying, okay, that's just today.” — Judy Singer When major health challenges face us, it is crucial to gather friends and family around for support. That is what today’s episode of What’s In Your Toolbox: An Honest Discussion on Mental Health is all about. In this episode, Bobby talks with Judy Singer about her cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how she coped with the changing abilities of her physical body. Judy is an artist and teacher by trade, and when she was faced with beginning treatments for cancer she had to make the difficult decision to not work on her art in order to retain her strength for chemotherapy sessions. Her friends and family were essential to her physical recovery, and her mental health throughout the entire process. This episode is especially helpful for anyone who is currently undergoing treatments for cancer, who may need some new ideas and strategies to navigate the incredibly challenging mental health factor of treatment and recovery. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   Art as a tool for mental health ✔   Navigating fitness challenges after recovering from cancer treatment ✔  The importance of family and friendship during cancer treatment and recovery  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Intro  02:07  The Artist 00:00  Meet Judy Singer 03:53  How Bob and Judy met   06:11  Art classes and curation   09:45  Judy’s passion and career in art   10:47  Judy’s physical and mental health   12:09  Cancer treatments  16:26  Creativity during cancer treatments 17:43  Physical fitness after chemotherapy   21:02  Friends as a mental health tool 24:12  Judy’s Amazing Support Team 27:36  Healing 30:34  Wrap up Links:‌ ‌  Judy’s Website: https://judysinger.ca  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“When you live in an environment that's out of control, you latch onto something that will make you feel like you're stabilized.” — Brian Robinson Working in a world that values and reveres constant work has led society to increased numbers of burnout and workaholism. But is workaholism really “a thing”? Rest is an essential part of life, and when we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to rest, we face avoidable obstacles. In this episode, Dr. Elliott Malamet interviews guest Brian Robinson about work addiction, how people become workaholics, how society supports workaholism, and what to do if you or someone you love is showing signs of work addiction.  Tune in to learn what signs and signals may be a key indicator of workaholism, why it’s important to support friends and family that may be addicted to work, and how to recognize that work has become a substitute for life.  This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   Where work addiction and hustle culture come from, and how it permeates our society ✔   Overcoming the need for control, plus actionable steps you can take to speak to your workaholic friend or family member ✔   The challenges of adjusting to retired life after decades of endless working hours  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:54  Elliott’s introduction   02:06  Defining hustle culture and work addiction 06:33  The need for control  08:19  The hustle “badge of honor”  10:00  Cultural norms of workaholism 13:57  Internal Family Systems Therapy   18:11  Behavioral clues of work addiction  21:52  Where the term “Hustle Culture” comes from   24:29  Adjusting to retired life   27:34  Society’s part in supporting workaholism   31:30  The right to not be addressed 37:11  How to talk to a workaholic in your life Links:‌ ‌  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“These holidays are such an opportunity for us to be looking at our lives, to be stepping in fully with humility and with honesty, and with care for each other and for the Earth — to find the capacity to forgive so that we can renew.” — Bluth This episode of Living Jewishly is an instalment of Sacred Time, a podcast devoted to the healing art of the Hebrew calendar. In this episode exploring the significance of the month of Elul, Bluth and Ganga Devi unpack major themes related to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  The month of Elul is a time of intimacy, love and relationships. It reminds us that the sacred is in the mundane — we are beloved because we feel G-d every day, in every human and messy moment. Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li is the acronym for Elul and it means “I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me." Elul’s reflective energy guides us into the New Year, preparing us for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is our shared story of the birth of the world and humanity, celebrating creation by honouring the Earth and looking forward to our collective future. Yom Kippur tells the story of the sin of the Golden Calf and the second chance given to humanity. This is a day to practice atonement and forgiveness — so we can enter the New Year with integrity. By reflecting on the past year, we hold ourselves responsible and accountable so that we are able to cleanse and renew. In doing so, we return to Elul’s beloved meditation on loving and forgiving ourselves as well as others. Listen as Bluth and Ganga Devi discuss the importance and benefits of shadow work, humility, and alignment of values as we introspectively and collectively work toward renewal and integrity during the high holidays. “If we can recognize ‘this is where I’ve been missing the mark, this is where I’ve been out of integrity, this is where I’ve been out of alignment,’ [we can] actually recognize what are some of the possible benefits and blessings and lessons.” — Ganga Devi This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ Commentary on original sin as a lack of responsibility and accountability — not human nature How Jungian perspectives on the human shadow relate to human nature — shame, blame, and perfection as the enemy of integrity — and how shadow work can allow us to love ourselves and others, and step into our lives with empowerment The importance of humility in taking our place within the world, and its relationship to our field of action  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:50Introduction   01:17Month of Elul   02:57Preparing for Rosh Hashanah   03:38Rosh Hashanah: Responsibility & accountability   08:40Humility & our field of action   12:50Missing the mark   14:08Yom Kippur: Forgiveness & second chances 17:07Jungian perspectives: Human shadow 23:20Sukkot: Earthly love and care 26:00Elul: Beloved reflection 29:04Transformative power of the high holidays 30:11Living Jewishly resources 31:59Cleansing & renewal Links:‌ ‌  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org Shalom!

“Sometimes life's better understood backwards rather than forwards.” — Jane Enright Life changes constantly – but what happens when three incredibly sudden rapid changes occur in just 12 months? And more importantly, what are the best tools to use to cope with life’s unexpected twists and turns? This episode of No Magic Bullet’s is an instalment of What’s In Your Toolbox, a podcast about mental health and the tools that we use to cope, heal, and thrive. In this episode, host Bobby K sits down with Jane Enright, a brain injury survivor, an author, and blogger behind “My Super Awesome Life”.  During this conversation, Bobby and Jane talk about Jane’s three massive life changes (two traumatic brain injuries and the death of a friend), practicing mindfulness through writing in order to process the fallout of the changes, and what recovery looks like afterwards. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌  ✔   How life can change instantaneously, and the steps Jane took to navigate her sudden life changes ✔   What focusing on what we have, rather than what we don’t have, can do to change our perspective ✔  Different ways to engage your amazing support team when you need it  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01 - Intro 02:42  Meet Jane 03:25  Beaver Valley Shangri-la    05:04  Jane’s story  11:27  Laughter is the best medicine   13:11  Jane’s books  16:52  Yoga and mindfulness   20:27  Cooking and movement as a tool 26:47  Strategies for coping with challenges   29:36  Jane’s Amazing Support Team  33:20  Goodbyes   Links:‌ ‌  Janeenrightauthor.com Mysuperawesomelife.com Listen to the first No Magic Bullet podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1763485/9899438  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.      Shalom!

“With all the evil and all the suffering that is in the world and that Jews have undergone throughout history, as a people, we've always been focused on being a moral and creative force in the world. And if Jews are about anything, we're about the faith in what could be faith in the future.” — Dr. Elliott Malamet In this Special School of Living Jewishly podcast for Tisha b'av, Dr. Elliott Malamet explores various explanations for why there is suffering, and God’s silent role in each.  Through various texts and philosophies, this episode hopes to bring clarity to why there is human suffering and why humans (specifically Jews) blame or do not blame God. Referencing a text by psychoanalyst Dr. R.W. Fairburn, Elliott explores why “it's better to be a sinner in a world ruled by God, than a saint in a world ruled by the devil.”  Elliott also explores the idea of the covenant between Jews and God, that if you do good, you get good. If you receive or experience bad things, you must have done something wrong – but is that truly the case? Tune in to dive deeply into this fascinating topic with Dr. Elliott Malamet. This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   What are we willing to overlook in order to protect God's reputation? ✔    If not God, whom or what are we willing to blame for the presence of suffering? ✔    What's the mindset that underlies an approach to suffering in which you blame yourself?  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Introduction 00:52  The silence of God 02:04  Ancient and modern explanations 03:05  Why does God allow suffering?   06:45  Blaming oneself for suffering   12:00  The issue of covenant 15:34  If we do good, we get good    20:09  The free will defense  22:51  “Stuff happens”   25:40  What does it all mean to us as Jews?  30:11  In closing   Links:‌ ‌  Find the source sheet at https://www.schooloflivingjewishly.com/  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.     

“Judaism advises not just sexual passion and a partnership, but constant physical encouragement with the one you love.” —  Dr. Elliott Malamet What is Tu b’av and why do we celebrate it? In this Special School of Living Jewishly podcast for Tu b'av, Dr. Elliott Malamet shares the history and symbolism of this romantic holiday. This holiday dedicated to love has long been seen as a day for matchmaking and romance. It may come as a surprise to some people that Judaism believes in romance, and the constant renewal of a relationship from the initial attraction, which Jewish law mandates must be present in some rudimentary form to the ongoing quest to keep the relationship fresh and vital. There are five different love languages, words of affirmation, acts of service, gift giving, quality time, and touch. Each of these has an underlying theme, which is commitment. Dr. Elliott Malamet discusses each love language in detail, and how they related to Jewish practice. Tune into this episode to learn about different and exciting ways to celebrate Tu b’av with your loved ones, and the joy of incorporating love and romance into your daily life.  This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   Jewish perspectives on our relationships  ✔   The five love languages and their relation to Judaism ✔   Commitment to romantic relationships  ‌   Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:01  Intro   00:54  About Tu b’av 01:25  The history of Tu b’av   03:07  Romance in Judaism  04:08  Words of affirmation 05:57  Acts of service 06:34  Gift giving    08:01  Quality time  09:51  Touch and physical contact   12:06  Commitment   12:30  Conclusion   Links:‌ ‌  Learn about The School of Living Jewishly: https://www.schooloflivingjewishly.com/  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:   Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org   Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly   Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw    or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.  

“Trauma is undigested experience” — Ganga Devi This instalment of Living Jewishly is an episode of Sacred Time, a podcast devoted to exploring the healing art of the Hebrew calendar. Tammuz is the fourth month of the year in the religious Jewish calendar. It is one of the heated months of the calendar, and it holds and commemorates the memory of a lot of the pain, trauma, and destruction that we have experienced as a people.    The 17th of this month of the Hebrew calendar marks the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem, which we recognize through fasting. Three weeks later, we observe the Tisha B'Av, which commemorates the destruction of two holy temples.    In Tammuz, we descend into the heat. In the following month, Av, we emerge from it. This is a sacred time of reflection and mourning — a time when we give space to anger and despair while also contemplating our own boundaries and violations.    This episode discusses the nature of trauma, the different ways we may approach it, and steps that we can take to heal.    “It’s not just something that lives in the past. It’s something that lives in the present, in our bodies, until we do the work of healing.” — Ganga Devi.    This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌ ✔   How the Hebrew calendar helps us process and integrate through allowing sacred space for pain and reflection ✔   How to create a level of separation from trauma to help enhance your healing — and how to find refuge in your present moment ✔  The role that the act of bearing witness plays in the healing process  ‌  Highlights:‌ ‌ 00:51  Intro 01:19  Tammuz 02:15  Water & the fire of anger 03:14  The trauma of violation 04:45  Making space for pain 06:16  “Looking” at trauma & lenses 10:42  We can be what we need 11:56  Regeneration & decomposition 16:08  Transformation & resilience 18:19  What does it mean to process? 24:36  What helps us process? 26:20  Bearing witness & befriending anger 28:38  The Interior Castle 30:49  “The temple is rebuilt continuously” 32:52  Everything is sacred 35:10   Practices for this month    Links:‌ ‌ The Interior Castle https://wedaretosay.com/what-are-the-mansions-of-the-interior-castle  To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly: Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org  Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.  Shalom!