JHB | 2-3 MAR - CT | 24 FEB - DBN | 27 FEB
In less than 10 minutes each, the speakers will share their perspectives on finding courage.
Parenting is among the most mysterious of adventures. It’s a lifetime journey where you are equipped with everything except the map. Nonetheless, the Jewish people have been blessed with Divine wisdom that can provide a torch to light up the darkness. In this talk, David Sacks will cull from personal stories and experiences growing up in New York City, and raising children in Hollywood, California, drawing from both mystical teachings and very practical halachas, that inform both the psychological components of parenting to the Torah vision of how to do our best at this most vital task.
Welcome to the 21st century – a time where designer babies, genetic editing and preventing genetic abnormalities are all reality. This is a world where we have recently discovered a unique Jewish gene. It’s a world we need to prepare for.Join Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz as he explores how these advances are affecting modern life and explains what young people need to know about them, before marriage.
Shalom means hello and goodbye. Shalom means peace. Shalom is a name – one of the names of G-d, in fact. But, its essential meaning is something all-encompassing – literally. Perhaps the most hallowed Jewish value, shalom is about harmony and wholeness, a unity within diversity, the coming together of disparate parts all playing their role to perfection in a Divine symphony. Join Rabbi Zev Leff on a journey into the heart of Judaism.
Dramatic changes are sweeping the Middle East. Alliances are shifting quickly and what were once sworn enemies are becoming crucial allies. Proxy wars are being fought across the region, swirling geopolitical tides are turning an already volatile part of the world into a tinderbox, and political posturing, backchannel bargaining and under-the-table agreements have reached a fever pitch not seen since the Cold War. The question is, what does all of this mean for Israel and what unique challenges and opportunities does this situation present? How is the Jewish State maintaining its qualitative military edge? What has the Netanyahu administration been up to these past few years as it seeks to safeguard Israel’s long-term security interests? Major General Yaakov Amidror – former National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister – offers a no-holds-barred
As they have done throughout Jewish history, women join together and fight for the integrity of the home. Worldwide, women’s networks are springing up, as women everywhere come together to fight for love and for life. Strong, passionate, supportive women are holding things together. In this heartfelt talk, Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi, the most popular female Jewish educator in Israel and recently voted one of its most influential women, explores the awe-inspiring power of femininity.
The Jewish world is being challenged. There are the age-old existential ordeals of assimilation and anti-Semitism, but a new issue has reared its head in recent years – the high cost of Jewish living. Individuals are feeling the pinch, but so are shuls, welfare institutions and various other communal organisations. Is there a way out? Gary Torgow, who, in addition to being on the board of some of Detroit’s biggest firms, has devoted much of his life to Jewish community volunteer work and philanthropy, has a few ideas.
Living in a diverse, open, democratic society is one of the blessings we have today – yet, inevitably, such freedom comes with its own formidable challenges. In a world of constant change, how do we maintain strong Jewish roots? In a world of democratised information and instant communication, how do we continue passing on our ancient tradition to the next generation? In a world of equality and acceptance, why should we marry Jewish? Most fundamentally, in a world where identity itself is in question, what does it mean to be a Jew? Acclaimed relationships and parenting instructor, Slovie Jungreis-Wolff, tackles the issue of intermarriage at its roots.
We live in times of crisis for intimacy and relationships. Marriage rates in the west are plummeting, and for those who do take the plunge, almost half end up getting divorced. Is there a formula for a healthy and successful marriage? Discover what more than 3 300 years of Jewish wisdom says about the art of love and the soul of marriage, igniting the passionate spark of intimacy, resolving conflicts at home, and finding and maintaining fulfilling relationships. Rabbi Simon Jacobson delivers a marriage masterclass.
Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in prevalence rates of anxiety, and anxiety disorders have become the most common reason for referral to mental health professionals. In this practical and essential talk by one of the most knowledgeable psychologists in the world, we will examine some of the powerful forces shaping this epidemic. Practical recommendations will be made on approaches to anxiety management, with a focus on coping with stress and anxiety at home and work.
Esther Jungreis: A dynamic orator and inspiration to all who heard her speak, passed away in 2016, leaving a legend, a story and her daughter Slovie. In this emotional and uplifting talk, accompanied by videos and excerpts, Slovie Jungreis-Wolff will speak about her mother’s legacy, and bring her memory to life. She will explore her mother’s love for the Jewish people, her passion and her faith after fire. This talk is about the woman whose teachings and wisdom will live forever.
As the Berlin Wall fell, bringing the curtain down on the Cold War, political commentators talked about “the end of history”, and the ushering in of an era of unprecedented peace. Nearly three decades later, the world is more dangerous and divided than it has ever been. Strongmen leaders hold the reins in countries such as Russia, Hungary, Turkey and the Philippines, and are gaining traction across Europe and Central Asia. Global Jihadism remains on the rise, even in the wake of a waning Isis. New, frightening forms of warfare are emerging, and new battle lines are being drawn. In this wide-angle view of global geopolitics, Major General Yaakov Amidror – former National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu – fills us in on the international picture. What has changed under Trump? What does Russia want? What’s up with North Korea? What role do emerging superpowers China and India have to play? What are Iran and the Saudis playing at in the Middle East? Are intergovernmental forces such as NATO and the UN becoming obsolete?
Judaism assigns all nations of the world a share in the World to Come and a unique purpose to fulfil in this world. But there’s an emphasis on unique. As Jews, we are meant to celebrate our uniqueness and draw nourishment from it. And when we don’t – when we seek to blend in with everyone else – anti-Semitism starts to take root. In this deep exploration of the metaphysics of anti-Semitism, Rabbi Zev Leff argues that to keep it at bay, we need to insulate ourselves, rather than isolate ourselves, protecting and preserving our precious heritage.
Managing the challenge of easy access to pornography has become one of the most pressing issues in parenting. Recent surveys have shown that both children and adults are concerned about the use of pornography, and are looking for guidance on effective strategies for control. Among the problems that accompany pornography use is the reality that it often conveys messages about intimacy that are antithetical to our value system, portraying an approach to sexuality that is self-centred, superficial and loveless. Join world-renowned psychologist Dr David Pelcovitz as he gives specific research-informed approaches to developing an effective, collaborative style with our children in attaining responsible use of this powerful medium, with a focus on the importance of parents modelling responsible internet use.
Life requires making moral choices. Should a driver avoid a group of people in the road even if that means driving off a cliff – certain death for the driver? How should self-driving cars be programmed for such scenarios? How do we know what is right in the first place – is our moral intuition reliable? In this incisive talk, Rabbi Tatz explores some of life’s most difficult challenges to discover what morality really is – with major consequences for society and the education of our children.
To paraphrase David Sacks, co-founder of the Happy Minyan of Los Angeles: “For many of us, shul seems like the fourth best thing to do with a day off.” However, for this Hollywood writer and senior lecturer, going to shul is the centre of his life. In this talk – one that directly faces a pertinent and weekly struggle head-on – we’ll learn strategies for getting the most out of our davening experience and discover the secrets to loving shul, and why it’s more crucial for us today than ever before.
Things are changing at breakneck speed. In 2019, our world is unrecognisable from the world we inhabited even as recently as a decade ago. Technology, in particular, has changed the way we talk, travel, work, love and live. These changes have improved our lives in countless ways, but they also pose distinct challenges and problems. Instead of bringing people together, they are pulling people apart. Instead of making our lives simpler, they are making our lives immeasurably more complex. How do we navigate these changes? How do we harness them for positive transformation? How do we build families, live meaningful lives and contribute to our communities? And – as Jews have done throughout history – how do we continue driving progress within society at large? Rabbi Simon Jacobson lays out a unique Jewish roadmap for being our best selves and building our best world.
It was a woman, Hannah, who taught us how to pray, and it is women who continue to exemplify this mitzvah, the very beating heart of Judaism. Prayer is more than a rendezvous with the Divine, it is a spiritual electricity that connects us across peoples, continents and time itself. In a world of dispersion and isolation, where connection – real, spiritual connection – is in short supply, prayer can unite our hearts like nothing else can. Join Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi as she explores an exhilarating experience that goes beyond ritual, beyond convention – an experience of pure, unadulterated connection.
You’ve heard his voice, now hear his story. A multitalented, multifaceted man, Alex Clare shares his narrative of staying true to Torah values in the world of rock ’n roll superstardom. Clare’s story has evolved since we heard him last. After leaving London with his wife and two children, Clare settled in Jerusalem, where he began learning at some of the top institutions in Israel, aiming for smicha. At the same time, he was writing music for international artists and DJs – and even doing world tours. Clare has now written and recorded with artists such as Don Diablo and Bakermat, and divides his time between the beis midrash and the recording studio. A tale of epic proportions, hold onto your seat for this rollercoaster ride.