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Reimagining Traditions to Promote LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Jewish tradition encourages us to be an “open tent” the community can walk into, which invites the question: How do we open up so LGBTQ+ people feel welcome? A creative reimagining invites us to explore tradition for connection opportunities that focus on belonging for all.

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Inclusion of Diverse Communities and Jewish Mental Health

Inclusion requires us to intentionally recognize the strengths these members bring to our communities and to honor and respond to the unique stressors these individuals may face. Inclusive practices help us welcome and support the beautiful tapestry that is our Jewish community and contribute to mental health and wellness for us all.

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Guard Your Soul Carefully – Prioritizing Caring for Yourself

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines self-care as “taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health.” How we do this looks different for everyone. This resource explores proven and applicable methods of self-care and the Jewish sources that support the need for individualized self-care.

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How Do You Adar? A Jewish Guide to Joy

Throughout its 3,000-year history, Jewish tradition has put a lot of thought into this deeply human question, among others, and has provided a plethora of answers. Our tradition offers paths to joy, including connection with God, finding meaning, contentment, and community. But, ultimately, what makes you happy is you.

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Choni HaMe’aggel: The Talmud’s Model for Overcoming Climate Anxiety

“Climate anxiety, or eco-anxiety, is distress related to worries about the effects of climate change…and is often accompanied by feelings of grief, anger, guilt, and shame, which in turn can affect mood, behavior, and thinking.” (Harvard Medical School) Climate change has severe implications on our safety, but to rectify the impact we’ve had on our climate will require action, and that can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, the Talmud offers a model for self-empowerment in our fight against forces as seemingly unstoppable as nature.

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Exploring Social Connectedness and Mental Wellness

In May 2023, the U.S. surgeon general released a new advisory on the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation and lack of connection in our country. With the holidays approaching and this public health crisis at hand, we must ask what our responsibility is to support ourselves and each other in fostering meaningful connection. The Jewish value, or middah, kol Yisrael arevim zeh la zeh – כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה, all Jews are responsible for one another, is a reminder of our responsibility. It helps us understand we are interconnected and must be invested in the mental wellness and overall well-being of others.

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Healing on Hanukkah, One Candle at a Time

The story of Hanukkah is a celebration of triumph: the triumph of good over evil, freedom over oppression and light over darkness. But it is also a recognition of functional freezing, the emotional experience of trauma and recovery.

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Hakarot Hatov Cards

Have everyone at your table select a card describing something they feel grateful for or have them make their own! (From our "Setting the Table with Hakarot HaTov" resource)

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Setting the Table with Hakarot Hatov

Eating can be a self-centered activity, wherein we fixate on our own needs and appetites. Of course, that doesn’t mean eating is a bad thing, but we should acknowledge how often our stomachs take on lives of their own, letting us forget about everything outside of our plate. Jewish tradition’s system of blessings reflects its understanding of that aspect of human psychology and equally recognizes the benefits of gratitude for our mental health and wellness. While the blessings directly reference God as the ultimate source of our food, this system nonetheless invites us to see beyond our self-interest, so we can think more broadly about where our food comes from...