Start Smart. The Key to Educating Our Youth

How do we react when our lives are disrupted—when routines and predictability are suddenly upended? Generally, disruption is disorienting. We thrive on consistency, on having a defined plan. When that gets shaken, it creates uncertainty, and we often feel confused, disturbed, even demoralized. Whether it’s trauma, loss, or any unexpected event, especially when it disrupts our regular structures, it can make us feel like we’ve lost balance and control. We saw this with the onset of COVID, and we continue to experience it with the ever-increasing uncertainties of the world, amplified by technology and other unknowns. However, the truth is, if we learn the right approach, disruption can become a powerful springboard for growth.  As we approach the new year, Rosh Hashanah—a time of renewal—please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in our ongoing 60-Day Journey and explore how to discover renewal in times of disruption.

Clarity is one of life’s greatest blessings, the ability to know with certainty the correct path to take in life. There is no joy like dispelling the shadows of doubt. But how do we actually find clarity, especially in times of great confusion? Today, perhaps more than ever, we're being constantly bombarded by conflicting messages and contradictory narratives—whether in the media, politics, and in virtually every area of life. Self-interest and bias distort the truth. How can we navigate the maze of half-truths, propaganda and even outright deception inundating us? Is there a way to discover clarity, not only in our personal lives but also in our collective, communal, and social spheres? It starts with the individual. When speaking to someone, how do you know if they’re being truthful, if their words are authentic, or if you're being misled by a "white lie", a partial truth or a deliberate con? How do we know who we can trust? In a world where information spreads at lightning speed, discernment becomes more crucial than ever. Finding clarity—grounded in truth—is essential to making decisions that move us forward with confidence and purpose. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in our ongoing 60-day Journey Series, as we uncover the secret to finding clarity in an age of confusion. Discover how to cut through the noise and embrace a life illuminated by truth and certainty.

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 Simon Jacobson in this new fascinating series, as we kick off the 60-Day Journey and discuss how to find hope in times of fear, pain and loss. 

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 period saw battles with the Persians, Greeks, and finally the Romans who destroyed the Temple and exiled the Jews. Throughout history, from the Crusades to the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, many have fought over this small piece of land called Israel. Essentially, the history of Israel in the last fourteen centuries has consisted of wars between the Chrsitians, Muslims and the Jews, all seeking control of the Holy Land. What is going on? Are we doomed to perpetual conflict, or is there hope? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this crucial discussion as we explore not just a global issue but a personal one. What lies at the heart of these wars, and what can we do to end them once and for all?

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 right assumptions about what a good education is?

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 remains highly unstable. Leaders in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere appear just as lost. We need to bring this issue to the forefront. Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as he addresses the critical lack of leadership and explores its causes. It’s time for a grassroots movement that demands true leadership from our current leaders—or, if necessary, paves the way for new leaders who possess the wisdom and courage to guide us toward a better future, to bring us together and create a world that reflects our true potential and destiny.

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