Meaningful Life Skills: Weekly Global Class

There’s so much hatred in the world today—rational or irrational. The very essence of hatred, at its core, feels irrational. We see it everywhere: between individuals, in politics, in the media, and between nations. Wars rage on with no end in sight, and it can feel overwhelming, even depressing.To be clear, there is love in the world as well. We’ve all experienced and witnessed acts of nobility, virtue, and selflessness. Yet, that doesn’t erase the reality of the hatred we face. So, is there a solution to all the hatred around us—a long-term, sustainable response and resolution to mend our differences and end the strife and abhorrence permeating society? Will hatred ever be erased?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we continue our 60-day journey, exploring and discovering how we can bring love and unity into our current polarized and divided world. 

Where do you turn in times of fear and uncertainty, when upheaval disrupts your regular routines? In such moments, we often get disoriented and demoralized. You might feel like a lost ship at sea, unsure how to navigate and where to turn. So, how do you find your bearings and maintain balance and equilibrium? We are living in such times now. The widespread threats and unpredictability is unprecedented. Consider the global situation: the volatility in the Middle East, especially in Israel; the conflict in Ukraine; and the turmoil in the United States with its unpredictable presidential elections. Where do you turn? The good news is that we have a time-tested formula, dating back over 3,300 years, for navigating fear and uncertainty. This method is detailed in my book 60 Days: A Spiritual Guide to the High Holidays.  We just entered this special period, the Hebrew months of Elul and Tishrei, which teach us how to regain balance after disruption and reclaim love after it has been violated. Please join Rabbi Sim

With all that has unfolded in Israel over the past year—the losses, the pain, the tragedies, the atrocities, the senseless deaths—we can't help but wonder: Will the war in Israel ever end? This is not just an abstract question; it is a deeply rooted apprehension, a profound and painful tension that grips any decent heart witnessing such upheaval. Tragically, this isn't new. The past year has only amplified a long-standing reality. If we look back through the years, the decades, the centuries, Israel has been at war since the beginning of time. As a modern state since 1948, it has faced numerous wars against its sworn enemies. But if we go back further, we see that wars have been waged over this land for millennia since biblical times. In the days of Abraham, conflicts erupted over this region. Then after the Egyptian exodus the Jewish people had to fight to reclaim their promised land. During the First Temple era, Israel and Jerusalem were attacked by the Assyrians and Babylonians. The Second Temple

How would you rate the current state of education for our children and youth? This isn't a small question. Just as the health of a tree depends on how its seed is planted, so too, healthy adults are the product of a good education. But what is a good education? Are our schools failing us? Are they failing our children? Our world today is facing many crises. Our young people are lost in an ever-increasing technological blur of information overload, polarized political and social discord; they are suffering a crisis of purpose, lacking passion and commitment toward higher values, struggling with addictions, and overwhelmed by distractions. We must ask ourselves: What is happening in our school system? What are we teaching our children? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this vital discussion, for our future depends on it. As we begin a new school year, this is the perfect moment to revisit and take a hard look at the way we are educating the next generation. Are we doing a good job? Do we even have the r

With alarming threats emerging from Iran, many are asking: What will be? Should we be frightened? Will a larger war erupt? Will America get involved? And what will be the impact on Israel? These are not small questions, as the stakes go beyond just one region—they affect the entire world. War always has global repercussions, but conflict in that part of the world is especially significant, given its history as a powder keg for centuries, and indeed, throughout history. But history also offers us wisdom. By looking back, we can find lessons that provide strength, courage, and clarity in times of uncertainty, turbulence and upheavals. Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we delve into the imminent threat from Iran. We will explore how we should address these pressing issues, how the world should approach the situation, and, most importantly, what we can do about it.

Does anyone care when you are in pain? Does G-d care? Are we alone in our suffering? One of the most devastating aspects of pain and suffering is the isolation—the feeling that no one is out there. When you are weeping, when a child is crying, is anyone else crying with you? And above all, is G-d crying with you? This is a critical question in life because we all face difficult times, setbacks, and losses. When you are in that situation, are you truly alone? Is anyone standing beside you, offering comfort and simply being there to soften the pain? Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this powerful and meaningful talk addressing the question we all ask: "Where is G-d when I cry?" The question is stronger than ever as we find ourselves in these difficult times. With the Middle East on the brink of war and threats and uncertainty looming, have we been abandoned to deal with the chaos alone, or is G-d with us on our journey?

If ever there was a leadership vacuum, it is now more glaring than ever. The world seems on the edge of a precipice. The Middle East is teetering on the brink of major conflict, with the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and top Hezbollah military figure Fuad Shukr, compounded by the chaos caused by Iran and its proxies. This crisis highlights the stark absence of global leadership. Where are our leaders? Why is no one speaking out? Have you heard any world leader address the crisis, call for action, provide a moral compass -- and present a vision for the future? We are in desperate need of direction. Have you ever seen such a lack of clarity and guidance? In the United States, we are clearly adrift. The current president is compromised, and the next presidential candidates offer little more than vague rhetoric on the major issues, without a grand plan. This presidential campaign is one of the most chaotic and unfocused, driven by polls and media distortions, while the global situation rem

The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has jolted the nation and the world. Whether you're his supporter or not, the shocking scene witnessed by millions on television—of a 20-year-old with an unknown motive, just a few hundred feet away, shooting at the President's head—has become an iconic image. Many are wondering: was this divine intervention? A small turn of the head, a split second, and the outcome could have been very different. Tragically, one attendee lost his life, and two others were injured. The entire country is now gripped by these scenes. Is this incident a blip on the screen -- another tragic, violent act we see periodically, which in time will become a distant memory, or is this a watershed moment in history? Can and will this shooting change things? Not just for Mr. Trump and the presidential election, but for our society as a whole, and not just temporarily but permanently? Amidst today's social unrest, polarization and unprecedented vitriol, can thi

Let's talk about the state of leadership today. Our modern world is blessed in many ways. Unprecedented success and prosperity, breathtaking breakthroughs in science and medicine, revolutionary technology that is dramatically raising our standard of living. The list goes on. Yet we also face many profound challenges. Our society is deeply polarized. We are witnessing a deterioration of personal values, with a foreboding sense of feeling lost at sea, without a clear moral compass to guide us.  At times like this we are in desperate need for leadership.  But where are our leaders? Throughout history, true leadership has been a guiding force, offering direction, instilling confidence, empowering individuals, and helping us tap into our inner resources. Today, there is a stark absence of such leadership. While we all possess innate strengths, the pressures and demands of our subjective lives often blind us to the broader picture. This is why we look to leaders for vision. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in

With July 4th, Independence Day, upon us, it's a good time to ask: What exactly is freedom and independence? What does it really mean? When the American Founding Fathers declared independence 248 years ago, it was straightforward. They felt the overbearing control of King George of Great Britain and that compelled them to throw off the shackles and declare their independence from that sovereignty. So, is that what freedom means—to not be under someone else's control? Does it simply mean not being in prison? Or is there a deeper meaning? You can be physically free—no shackles, no prison—and still be enslaved to your passions, addictions, your fears and insecurities, and other forces that inhibit your free expression. What about emotional freedom, psychological freedom, spiritual freedom? As a very wealthy individual once told me, "I can do anything I like in this world, but I live in a gilded cage. I am not free. I have no idea why I am here and where my life should be headed." It's impor

Are you reactive or proactive? Most of us tend to be more reactive, and there are several reasons for this.Firstly, we start our lives as children reacting to our parents—their attitudes, smiles, approval, and disapproval and we mirror their behavior.Secondly, as we grow older, we seek acceptance from our peers, friends, and society. This often leads us to follow others  rather than take initiative. Fear plays a significant role, especially for those who grew up in insecure environments. The fear of potentially failing or facing disapproval, makes us more likely to react cautiously. Being reactive feels less risky.Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this critical discussion and discover how to become more proactive in your life -- and how that will significantly improve many of your decisions, as well as unleash your great potential, helping you be more successful. Learn methods on how to take control of your life rather than simply reacting to others, which in turn will transform every aspect of your life.

Do Real Men Cry? There's a pervasive myth that real men don't cry, implying that tears are reserved for women. This notion is not only demeaning, suggesting women are emotional and weak while men are tough and stoic, but it's also untrue. Is vulnerability a weakness? Is expressing emotions wrong? Where did this stereotype originate, and why does our culture view honesty and fragility as problems? Why do we idolize toughness and machismo? What does this say about our society? Our perceptions of men and women, and their roles, are confusing and disturbing. Women are criticized for being too tough when they play by men's rules, and men are told to suppress their emotions. There's much to unpack here. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this special program to explore how to reclaim our true masculine and feminine personalities in a healthy way. It's about improving our personal lives, educating our children properly, and ultimately transforming our society.

With war continuing to rage in the Middle East, it would be wise to go back and trace the roots of this war and the long-standing antipathy and confrontation between the Muslims, Arabs, Jews and even Christians. We all know this isn't the first time that fighting has broken out in the region; there is unfortunately an ongoing history of deep tensions between nations and religions over the millennia. Countless battles being waged for control of the land of Israel and particularly Jerusalem. Going back to Biblical times and spanning throughout the ages we are witness to empire after empire trying to conquer this ancient land. The Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Crusaders, the Mamluks, the Ottomans -- all vying for control of the promised land. What lies at the root of all of these conflicts? The only way to ultimately find a permanent solution is by understanding what we are actually fighting about. Is this a battle over land? Is it a battle over power

Why is memory so important? How does it affect our lives on a daily basis? How can it transform us?Very often if you want to appreciate something, you have to think what life would be like without it. What would our days look like if we did not have our memories? If every morning we woke up with a clean slate, a blank picture and we had to rebuild everything anew... If we didn't have our past experiences, thoughts, and memories to inform our present and future..As we celebrate Memorial Day, the official beginning of the summer, it's fitting to give some thought to the power of memory and how it contributes to our existence. This is not just about nostalgically living in the past and going back in time, but it's about memories that live on and inform, educate and teach us to learn from the mistakes and to improve on the good things.So please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we honor and memorialize those that have fallen and also take this opportunity to remember everyone that has contributed to our l

We are always looking for miracles in our lives, seeking out extraordinary moments within our ordinary routines. Those aha moments that affect, inspire and transform who we are. I'd like to share with you some miracles I recently experienced. Life is filled with paradoxes. Joy, pain, tears, celebration... the roller coaster of the cycles and vicissitudes of life. Nowhere is this captured more than in the biblical Promised Land, the Holy Land of Israel. I have just returned from a trip there and I personally experienced - as so many others have I'm sure in their own way - these paradoxes; witnessing real miracles and joy while also seeing pain, tears and suffering. What can we learn from these moments? What lessons can we apply to our personal lives? The Holy Land, as Jacob called it in the Bible, is a gate to heaven; an interface between heaven and earth, a bridge between spirit and matter, that allows us all to experience deeper states of transcendence in our very material and physical world.

The continued unrest on our university campuses has raised very powerful and existential questions: Are our education systems healthy or corrupt? Are we actually giving the very best to our children and to our students? Are we setting them up for life and providing the necessary tools to help them not only survive but also thrive?There's clearly a problem. Our universities were always meant to be the ultimate model of academic excellence, free thought, open inquiry, and healthy discussions - a place where all opinions are welcome. But when universities turn political, armed with specific agendas, you have to wonder what's happening to our education system as a whole?Take a look at our students. When you ask them what they stand for, what values they are ready to fight for, many of them are clueless. Couple that with technology, social media and all the forces that are inundating their impressionable minds, and we have a very confused generation. Are our youth getting a healthy education? Are they lea

With protests breaking out on our campuses across the country, everyone is asking what is going on? Why suddenly now? What's happening? What's behind all this?Initially, the protests seemed to be a spontaneous reaction of innocent students simply outraged at innocent civilians being killed in Gaza. But if that's the case, why were there no protests after the horrendous atrocities of October 7? It's becoming increasingly clear that the intentions of the organizers of these protests was to deliberately create the impression of spontaneity - it's a an excellent way of fabricating a dramatic narrative. But the more we dig into the story and the more time passes we realize that these uprisings are part of a very insidious and planned strategy - being formulated and funded for years, with the understanding that this is a PR war, a war over our perceptions. Vietnam wasn't lost in Vietnam; it was lost in the minds of Americans. And while we don't want to compare the two, the impression the

Freedom is one of our most cherished values. It is a monumental achievement of our times. The human aspiration for freedom, the desire to live as a free people, reflects the deepest longing of the soul, and is a vivid departure, standing in stark contrast to the days when monarchs and tyrants ruled. But what does freedom truly mean? Is it merely the lack of physical confinement, the absence of bars and chains, or does it go beyond that? Consider this: In our contemporary world, we are surrounded by communication technologies designed to liberate and emancipate us. However, how many of us find ourselves entrapped and addicted to these gadgets? We live in an era of prosperity and unprecedented comforts, yet we grapple with more addictions than ever, be they physical, emotional, or psychological. Freedom, while a beautiful concept, also comes with its challenges. Even if we are free from external control, we may still find ourselves oppressed by forces that dominate us, like fear, insecurity, societal pressure

Do you ever feel lonely? Not due to lack of companionship, friends, social circle or support system, but a fundamental nagging feeling that you are all alone in this universe? An inner cosmic vacuum: is there anyone out there that cares? Am I truly on a metaphorical island unto myself, surrounded by people yet really utterly alone, each person for himself?... Loneliness can be one of the most devastating experiences precisely because of its innocuous nature. It's not loud, it doesn't create drama or noise. It's that silent sense of feeling lost at sea... drifting alone... Do I matter? Does anyone really see or hear me? When I'm in pain and my soul is crying, does anyone care?Can anyone really fill the void of a person's loneliness? We all need love but with all the love we may have, can it pierce that empty space, that lonely place we all feel, when we walk alone at the end of the day? Please join Rabbi Jacobson as he probes the cosmic, psychological and spiritual roots of existential lon