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Life is tumultuous, like a ship crashing about on the waves of a roaring ocean storm. At times it can seem directionless, with unexpected challenges throwing us about in every which way. However, fortunate for us, buried within our tool-chest is an anchor we can cast to restore stability.
This course is about taking to heart life’s simple truths, the ones that empower us to overcome our everyday struggles; not by facing the challenges one by one, but by finding our center and aligning with our inner truth.
It is a spiritual search for G‑d, but from a cosmopolitan, down-to-earth, and plain-spoken approach. It’s about training ourselves to see G‑d in the small miracles of everyday life and about gaining perspective when we’re in the gym, on the road, or in the kitchen.
In Simple Truths we grapple with fundamental Jewish viewpoints that profoundly shift our perspective. We train ourselves to see G‑d’s hand in every situation; and, where G‑d is discovered, challenge becomes opportunity, negative becomes positive, setback becomes turning point, and vulnerability and weakness become impetuses for growth and connection.
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CLAIM YOUR INHERITANCE
It is only natural to want to enjoy life’s pleasures. At the same time, all the pleasures on earth cannot satisfy our inner craving for deeper meaning and purpose.
How are we to balance our inner tug toward all things pleasurable with our human need for meaning and spirituality? Are these desires mutually exclusive? Can they ever align in pursuit of a common goal? This lesson explores the intersection of these two potent human needs, to extract secrets to wholesome living from the wellsprings of Jewish teaching.
Wednesday November 2, 2016 7:30 pm
Thursday November 3, 2016 at 9:00am
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Wednesday, December 7, 2016 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 9:00am
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CREATION REVISITED
We are all creators, made in the image of G‑d, the ultimate Creator. But is the difference between our ability to create and G‑d’s merely a quantitative one?
This lesson unearths foundational principles of Jewish thought regarding G‑d’s creation of the world, unearthing ageless wisdom for reframing our approach to life’s obstacles, dealing with anxiety and doubt, and seeing the value in every moment.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017 7:30 pm
Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 9:00am
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THE BEAUTY OF THE STRUGGLE
Imperfection is human. Yet little makes us feel worse than our character deficiencies. Our less-than-noble thoughts and feelings lead to inner turmoil and lowered self-perception, hampering our motivation to grow and change.
How can we remain motivated toward change and uphold a positive view of ourselves while battling dejection over our constant struggles with our character flaws? This lesson explores how we can reframe our apparent deficiencies as inspiring pathways to personal growth, inner joy, and spiritual fulfillment.
Monda
Wednesday, February 1, 2017 7:30 pm
Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 9:00am
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OVERCOMING LIMITATION
To be human is to have an innate desire for greatness—a drive to pursue our noblest dreams, to actualize our highest potential.
In this lesson we will focus on how to capitalize on our strengths. We’ll learn how to draw upon the things about us that are fundamentally good, and transcend our self-perceived limitations to take them to the level of “great”—and, considering the vast reservoir of potential within us, there is never a limit to how great we can become.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 7:30 pm
Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 9:00 am
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TO LOVE ANOTHER
The quality of our relationships has a direct impact on our quality of life. But in a world where digital communication and social media are increasingly replacing real-world communication, the capacity to truly connect to others seems more and more like a lost art. How do we cultivate genuine empathy, trust, acceptance, and love in our relationships?
This lesson teaches us how to peel away all of the superficialities that divide us, and we discover what ultimately unites us, allowing us to develop truly deep and fulfilling relationships with others.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 7:30 pm
Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 9:00 am
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JOY REVEALED
If you assumed that Judaism was about being somber and sullen, you have not met the real deal.
This lesson demonstrates the extraordinary emphasis that Judaism places on being joyful, explores the role of happiness for the sake of personal well-being and success, and presents a step-by-step journey to achieving happiness based on a deeper appreciation of the purpose of life.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 9:00 am
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Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa
192 Switzer Ave.
Ottawa, ON K1Z 7H9
www.jewishyouthlibrary.com
613-729-7712
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