Judaism's Top Talks (National Jewish Retreat)

When Rabbi Benjamin Blech was asked by the Lubavitcher Rebbe to go on a speaking tour in the Far East, he balked. The counsel the Rebbe gave Rabbi Blech changed his outlook on Jewish identity forever, and inspired his philosophy of a Jewish solidarity that disregards our individual differences.

This lecture was delivered at the 8th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Shabbat is a day of rest, renewal, and G-d. It is a day to breathe more slowly and take stock of the blessings in our lives. Join us for a guided meditation, to help ease you into Shabbat’s calming sphere.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Speech is our defining characteristic as human beings and the foundation of any healthy relationship. But communicating clearly is the trick. Learn how to express your feelings of need, hurt, and criticism in a constructive and positive manner so that you will truly be heard.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Marvelous creative forces stir in the well of human nature. Yet all too often we bring only a portion of ourselves to our families, to our spouses, to our children, to our Jewishness. If each of us is brimming with a wealth of talent and ability, why do many of us never express it? This talk explores the roots of creativity, how to use and apply creativity to your life, and the power of creativity to change the way you live.

This lecture took place at the 10th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Clothing makes the man, the saying goes. Discover the Jewish view on dress and modesty and the way we view ourselves through the prism of others.

Is free choice just a lark? If G-d predetermines everything, can there really be such a thing as “my” choice? Explore the complexities of free will as discussed in the annals of Kabbalah and Chasidut.

This lecture took place at the 12th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Often the Torah description of events, timing and location can vary greatly from that of historical reports and discussion. How can these differing views be reconciled? How is one to know or understand what actually happened when such vastly different perspectives are presented from academics vs. the rabbis? Join us as we discuss some incredible insights, hints and explanations from Biblical times and how it helps reveal just what happened in our past.

This lecture took place at the 10th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Let's face it: the Rabbis have added many strictures in Judaism. What's the deal? What gives them the authority anyways? Put your reservations about rabbinic Judaism to bed in this important journey.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Discover the history of renown psychologist Viktor Frankl, how he developed his school of psychology, and the fateful message delivered to him by the Lubavitcher Rebbe that saved all of his work. Learn how Frankl’s work differs and is superior to the Freudian and Adlerian psychology.

For more information, please visit: www.torahpsychology.org.

Attorney Nathan Lewin will review the multi-year history of litigation over menorahs displayed by Chabad in public plazas. From Chabad's victories in the Supreme Court with the Pittsburgh menorah to its victories before the US Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and Atlanta. Mr. Lewin will also review the current controversies over Chanukah menorahs in many towns, and the assistance he has been providing as recently as this year.  

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

What does Moshiach really mean? How will my life change? Should I be excited about his coming? A no-holds barred session about the end of days.

This lecture took place at the 12th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

What is the Jewish secret to daily happiness? Discover the tools to finding and maintaining your happiness in everyday life.  

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

How can you live your best life? What is the secret to a life worth living? Embark on the road of positive psychology, to discover how to fill your days with joy.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

The coming of the Messiah (Mashiach) will be a game-changer. In addition to peace on earth, the return of the dead, and our reunion in Israel, the Messianic Age will bring specific aspects of halachah (Jewish law), including pigs becoming kosher: Imagine that!

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

To save a life is one of the greatest mitzvot that one can perform. At the same time, however, it is axiomatic that we cannot save a life by ending another. The time of death, then, becomes a subject of utmost importance. Is there a halachic definition of death? Does it correspond with the medical-legal definition? And how does this affect the halachic prospects of cadaveric organ donation?

This lecture took place at the 10th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

With the world moving forward at a dizzyingly accelerated pace, how can an “archaic” religion hope to stay trending? Can Judaism be personally relevant, spiritually passionate, and fashionable for our times?

This lecture took place at the 12th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

The story and battles of Chanukah continue to play out in our daily lives. The way we approach our Torah study and service of G-d is all dependant on how we look at it.

This inspiring and motivational lecture by Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein offers an enlightening approach to life’s challenges. What do we do when the darknessis all-consuming and we don’t see a way out?  Rabbi Weinstein takes a message from Chanukah about finding our life’s purpose, improving our marriage, and observing the Torah in the best way.

Some lessons from the Menorah. How to grow daily.

Giant menorahs in front of government buildings and in public squares have become a staple of the Holiday season and Jewish cultural and religious life, but the pioneering public menorahs of the 80’s faced stiff legal battles.

In 1986, Chabad-Lubavitch of Pittsburgh erected its annual menorah display in front of City-County Building. The American Civil Liberties Union sued, claiming the proximity of the candles to the public building violated the First Amendment separation of church and state.

The case went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in 1989 that the Chanukah display did not constitute government endorsement of religion. That landmark decision set a precedent for the thousands of public menorahs which will be displayed across the country starting on December 12, the first night of Chanukah.

On December 6, two attorneys in the case, Jon Pushinsky, who represented the ACLU, and Charles H. Saul, who represented Chabad, presented the legal arguments for and against the constitutionality of the display of a menorah on public property at a special event at Chabad of Pittsburgh which is part of an ongoing JLI lecture series entitled “Great Debates in Jewish History.”

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day on the Jewsih Calendar. Delve into its spirituality, significance and mechanics in this 50-minute crash course covering the do's, dont's and why's.

Are the High Holidays a time for guilt, or an opportunity to realize one’s true essence? Why are the confessions sung during the Yom Kippur services instead of being solemnly recited? Join Rabbi YY Jacobson in this fascinating talk about the path to real repentance, and learn how to uncover the greatness and vast potential that lies within each one of us.

All lives return to dust. After a life comes to its end, what does our tradition have to say about our response? How should we mourn? Why should we mourn? A lesson on life’s final days.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

How many times have you fallen short of the goals you set for yourself to do better in the coming year? Change is hard, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn the secrets to lasting, positive change using a breakthrough, science-based approach

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

What is the afterlife? Rabbi Friedman’s sensitive and meaningful approach illuminates the Jewish concept of the hereafter. This discussion includes practical applications of the core concepts of the soul and the afterlife on the here and now. This enjoyable talk is riddled with anecdotes including a fascinating story about Sara Ferguson, the Duchess of York.

This lecture was delivered at the 8th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Should substances be illegal? Is the generation’s violation of the law reason to revoke it? Learn the fascinating Jewish perspective on the war on drugs.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

What is the connection between a test, a miracle and a banner?

Mrs. Rochel Holzkenner shares some of her life story, about an auto accident, problems with infertility, and giving birth to a special needs baby. She defines how tests and miracles are intertwined and what the banner is for.

This lecture was delivered at the 7th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

When you hear the word “sober,” do you think of alcohol or drugs? But could it be that we are addicted to our emotions as well? Discover the next frontier in recovery—and a helpful tool for everyone–that allows you to stay focused and grow in every area of your life.

For the lecture by Rabbi Taub that Dr. Berger references, click here.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

On Shabbat, we transcend our mundane lives and reconnect with our Maker. Learn how to tap into the uniquely spiritual side of this day, even while eating Cholent.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Chabad shluchim and shluchot are powerhouses changing the landscape of Jewish life on this planet. But what keeps them going? Join this session for a first of its kind presentation on what goes on under the black hat and stylish wig.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Without some greater goal to aim for, life is a boring cycle of sleep, eat, work, repeat. We each should have a mission, something that drives us and gives meaning to our lives. Living with this awareness adds color to grey, spice to the bland. Discover how we can connect to our purpose as individuals, and as part of the Jewish nation.

This lecture took place at the 9th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Since the time of Freud, psychotherapy has focused on the negative aspects of the human psyche. But recent developments in cognitive psychology, affirm the importance of optimism to enhance the quality of life, and how anyone can learn to practice it. Using one of the most moving stories in the books of the Prophets, this talk explores the skills that can help break up depression, better develop your potential, and make you happier. It offers simple techniques, how to encourage optimistic behavior at work and in children.

This lecture took place at the 10th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

How do you create and maintain lasting relationships? What is the secret to lifelong romance? Discover the secrets to authentic, enduring relationships.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Nathan Lewin will reflect on his vast experience in prominent arguments before the US Supreme Court, including significant cases that affect Jewish life in America.

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

As the world has seen a rise in antisemitism in city streets and on university campuses, what can we do to ebb the tide? Should we be fighting back?

This address was given at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

As Jews, we have a responsibility to forgive those who genuinely seek it, yet doing so is fraught with difficulties - if not outright dangers - if we cannot or should not forget the infraction. In this session, we will wade into these murky waters and emerge with surprising clarity.

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

We all doubt ourselves at times. At other times, we feel alive and able to do anything. How do we stop letting our fears and doubts stop us from accomplishing everything we want to and can do?

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Our society operates on instant gratification. Great people don’t. Maimonides’ theory of gradualism focuses on how real and lasting character reform is brought about by gradual change. By learning this step-by-step approach we’ll be able to effect major change in any area of our lives.

This lecture was delivered at the 8th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Inclusion is an important social issue of our time, and rightly so. A society can be judged by how it values and treats every single member. How ought we relate to people with differences, and how can we create more inclusive communities that nurture the gifts of every individual?

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

The Psalmist says, "The heavens are for G-d, and the Earth is for mankind." But is this the case? What does a spiritual G-d want to do with a physical Earth? Can there be something about this world we are not seeing?

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

With all the popularity of self care, love and acceptance, you may be wondering, “what does Judaism believe?” Join us for powerful journey into the intersection of self-recognition and service of G-d.

This session took place at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

In the modern era, religion has come under harsh attack. After all, so much extremism, intolerance, fundamentalism and war has been associated with religion. Discover the Jewish approach: Is it unscientific to embrace G-d? Who Even needs G-d? And can there be right and wrong without a G-d?

This lecture took place at the 10th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

The 2020 Pew Study, released in May 2021, is the subject of talk around town, and many are worried about the future of Judaism in America. Hear some of the study’s findings and what they mean from rabbis, community leaders, and educators. Sometimes the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

This panel comprising of Rabbi Dr. Michael Berger, Rabbi Chaim Bruk,  Rabbi Moshe Bryski, Mrs. Holly Cohen, and  Mrs. Pamela Dubin was featured at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Thanksgiving may be recognized as an American holiday, but is it considered a Jewish one? Learn about the history of Jews and Thanksgiving as well as the power of gratitude and how to bring it into our everyday lives.

Life has not always been simple for Bernstein. Hear firsthand how he faced his challenges head-on, and is now serving as the first blind judge of the Supreme Court of Michigan.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

When Sarah was told that, at her late age, she would have a child, she laughed, and later named her son Isaac after her laughter. Since that time, we know that life and laughter are conjoined. If you are looking for a little levity, this discussion is for you looking at the comedy of life and the Jewish jokes that make it so funny.

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Mrs. Crispe takes a lesson from the Exodus of Egypt and applies it our daily lives and personal growth.

In her weekly podcast, “Jewish Latin Princess,” Yael interviews the world’s most uniquely-talented Jewish women, whose inspiring journeys teach each of us how to discover our soul’s mission and vision for transforming the world.

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

We expend so much time and energy chasing our dreams, but does it come at the expense of our integrity and happiness? Jewish teachings turn our quest on its head, and place the keys to our greatest dreams firmly in our hands. Learn how to navigate the incredible path Judaism sets for us to achieve a truly superhuman life.

Is it possible to fully overcome a loss? Explore the Jewish and psychological approaches to handling and overcoming the trauma of loss.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

In the thick tomes of the Talmud are buried stories of romance and courtship that rival today’s best novels. It seems that the Sages were as much experts in affairs of the heart as they were in Jewish law. But what lessons do these heartwarming episodes have for us? Can the flame of love that flickered centuries ago cast light on our lives today?

This lecture took place at the 9th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

The average person has 6,200 thoughts every day. Are they substantial or just fleeting? Should we value all of them? Just some of them? A look at the psychological and Torah view on these brain flashes.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Does it really matter what we think if we don’t ever speak those thoughts, let alone act on them? Isn’t daydreaming harmless? Aren’t our actions all that really count? Learn how our thoughts are the basis for how we interact with the world around us, and discover just how much power they have, and more importantly, how much power we have over them.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

On seven occasions recorded in the Torah, G-d intervenes in the lives of a person or people and encourages them to take a step forward. In this talk, we explore how to overcome the seven basic emotions that hold us back from actualizing our G-d-given potential.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

A conversation between, Mrs. Dana Gavin, Mrs. Chana Greenstein, Ms. Basya Hans,  Mrs. Shaindy Jacobson,  Mrs. Ya'el Roth. Peek into the personal and professional lives of four successful, happy-to-be-Jewish women on the journey of life. Unapologetic and with unmatched spirit, each of the diverse panelists will share what propels her in her mission, fusing faith and modernity. Together, they form a beautiful snapshot of a remarkable life.

This panel was featured at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

The future is unknown and sometimes frightening. Learn the tools for managing the stress of everyday life and the curve balls thrown at us along the way.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Embark on the story of a remarkable medical journey. When their child was diagnosed in utero with complex congenital heart and gastrointestinal defects, Elie and Chaya Rochel Estrin knew they had a challenging ride ahead. Inspired by the Jewish approach to life, the Estrins battled for their baby's life despite dire predictions of a six-hour lifespan.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

On Shabbat, we transcend our mundane lives and reconnect with our Maker. Learn how to tap into the uniquely spiritual side of this day, even while eating Cholent.

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, one of the youngest survivors of Buchenwald, was just eight years old when he was liberated in 1945. Descended from a 1,000-year unbroken chain of rabbis, he grew up to become Chief Rabbi of Israel, and like many of the great rabbis, Rabbi Lau is a master storyteller. "Out of the Depths" is his harrowing, miraculous, and inspiring account of life in one of the Nazis' deadliest concentration camps, and how he managed to survive against all possible odds. Rabbi Lau also chronicles his life after the war.

This address took place at the 12th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Modern science has uncovered many mysteries regarding life, but it has little to say about death. Join Rabbi YY Jacobson for an excursion to a place from which we can see what awaits us all. The good news is that we will travel roundtrip.

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Modern science has uncovered many mysteries regarding life, but it has little to say about death. Join Rabbi Manis Friedman for an excursion to a place from which we can see what awaits us all. The good news is that we will travel roundtrip.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Passover means leaving our limitations. Join Shimona Tzukernik on a journey of reflection on what it really means to leave our personal limitations, in this discussion of the story of the Exodus as it applies to our lives.

Experience a paradigm shift based on the Tanya’s most revolutionary teachings, relating to spiritual growth and self-development.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

As you prepare for the New Year, take stock of the past one and plan for the future.

The Talmud teaches, “A baal teshuvah stands in a place where even the most righteous cannot stand.” What is teshuvah (repentance)? Is it just saying, “I’m sorry”? That’s hardly grand! Discover the power of teshuvah, Judaism’s gift of redemptive transformation.

How do we get the oil out without crushing the olive?

Rabbi Dov Yona Korn begins with Purim and the Jew’s acceptance of the Torah even though they are in exile, and struggling with existence. Why is it that when Jews are crushed they stand strong in their observance, and yet when in an environment of freedom and acceptance huge numbers run to assimilate and intermarry. Rabbi Korn, with his exuberant persona, presents a 4 step process to remain firmly Jewish without being crushed.

Jews have always been hounded by accusations of racial supremacism—allegations that sparked deep hatred and incited untold violence. But isn’t it true? Don’t we claim to be the “Chosen People”? This lecture goes back to the source of this myth and uncovers the true meaning of our unique destiny. Discover a powerful responsibility that can either lift us up or weigh us down.

Our prayers lead us deep inside as a way of connecting with an infinitely spiritual cosmos. Might there be a place within us akin to the Holy Temple? If so, how may we find it?

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Resilience is considered key to surviving and thriving through difficult periods in our lives. How do we build our resilience, enabling us to continue in the face of adversity?

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

At age 13, Lynda’s mother and sisters died in a plane crash. Her father was shattered and she was left to fend for herself. Her memoir, Repairing Rainbows, shares how she found the courage, tenacity, and strength to become happy and lead a meaningful life.

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Is Judaism a religion of rules? Why do we do the same things over and over again, like putting on tefillin each morning? Examine the framework and reasoning of for its detailed instruction.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

While Jewish divorce rates lag behind the general population, they seem to be on the rise. What can we do to save ourselves, our relationships, and each other. A lesson for the unmarried and the married alike.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Explore the Passover Seder through a mystical lens from beginning to end.

As a Chaplain in the US Air Force and a member of the Aleph Institute, Rabbi Estrin has helped Jews in all branches of the US Military. A peek into this little-known Jewish community and their unique experiences with sometimes humorous and sometimes tragic outcomes.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

The feminist revolution in the 1970s aimed to create a better world by making men more like women, and women more like men. Jewish philosophy, however, focuses on the unique and different roles of men and women. Is this a contradiction? Does Judaism believe in gender equality? Join the author of bestseller To Be a Jewish Woman for a deeper look at this contentious issue.

This lecture took place at the 10th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Does Judaism believe in an afterlife, reincarnation, and near-death experiences? If so, what do they look like, and why? Hear the amazing story of why we are here, the role and mission of our souls and gain insight into the purpose of this world and beyond

Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people, has always held a place in the heart of every Jew. Now, with the 50th anniversary of its reunification, what role does Jerusalem play in our lives?

This lecture took place at the 12th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Adding spirituality to your life can be simple and a valuable tool for engaging with all the "stuff" that comes your way. A conversation between a rabbi and a therapist about small steps you can take to make yourself less angry and more present and accepting of yourself and others.

This session took place at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Every person deals with stress. How can you manage it so that it does not overwhelm or consume you? Learn three practical steps from the Talmud to help put your anxieties in perspective and transform your life.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Explore the Four Species which are taken on Sukkot: the Lulav, Etrog, Myrtle and Willow, and their representation in our lives.

The Holiday of Sukkot is celebrated by eating in a Sukkah. Discover the mystical significance of the holiday along with its connection to the HIgh Holidays.

Change sins to merits with one simple discovery.

Through teshuvah, repentence, we can lessen past sins and even change some to merits. Rabbi Pinchas Taylor shows how science is coming to support different approaches to time and space, which have always been known in Jewish mystical literature.

Like all Jewish practices, the complex laws of the shofar blasts are rooted in the Talmud. Go back thousands of years into Jewish legal history to explore the origin of the shofar tradition and trace the way the law developed into the sequences practiced today.

With the institution of marriage decaying at an alarming rate, it’s time for an honest discussion on love and relationships. In a world that is more connected than ever, why do we sometimes feel so alone? How did family, friends and spouses become strangers to one another? Dive into the human psyche as we identify what makes people click and how our society can find love once more.

This lecture was delivered at the 8th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

If you’re born Jewish, you’re Jewish no matter what. You’re bound by the laws of the Torah and branded with the title “Jew.” Is that fair? Did you choose to be Jewish? A stunning analysis of free choice forces us to reconsider the nature of our commitment to Judaism.

This lecture was delivered at the 8th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Sharing an etymological root with tzedek (justice), tzedakah (charity) is a central Jewish ethic featured in many holidays and highlighted in the Talmud. Learn from Jewish philanthropists, as well as the founder of The Jewish giving Pledge, why they give, where they give, and what they get.

This panel was featured Mrs. Pamela Dubin, Mr. Mike Leven, Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz & Mr. Eyal Postelnik at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Are you lonely?

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

What is the secret to Jewish continuity? A little Chutzpah and a lot of Mazal.

This address was given at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

If happiness is an ”inalienable” right, why are we constantly searching for it? Is happiness really a life goal? In this profound talk, Yael helps us view happiness through a Jewish lens, in order to find it, perhaps, where we least expect it.

This lecture was delivered at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

How can we overcome the anxiety of our transient lives to find serenity and happiness, when the fear of death, uncertainty, and insecurity haunt us daily? The Torah teaches us to live for the moment and cram everlasting meaning into our lives. Living in the here and now is not only the key to serenity, but the secret to making every moment momentous.

What does the Jewish perspective say about the differences between men and women? How can both genders better understand and reconcile their differences? Explore the subtleties that make each person unique.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Judaism is a religion of holy words, and through our words, we serve Hashem. Our words also shape our reality. Optimize the power of your words to transform your life and the lives of others.

This lecture was delivered at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Has Judaism evolved? Explore the development of the written and oral Torah, the twin traditions that stretch back to Sinai. Learn how to use ancient halachic principles to find solutions to contemporary dilemmas. You will put the eternality of Torah to the test by scrutinizing its relevance today.

Make sense of the Passover Seder and its mysterious mix of four cups of wine, bitter herb sandwiches and hidden matzot. Through a detailed study of the fascinating Talmudic discussion of the laws of reclining, we will uncover new meaning in the Seder while bolstering our understanding of Talmudic logic.

This lecture was delivered at the 8th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

What is the real significance of prayer? Does G-d always answer? Is He even listening? Sometimes we feel like we’re knocking on heaven’s door—but how do we know if Anyone’s home? Learn to make your prayers a more meaningful and uplifting experience.

This lecture took place at the 12th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

There is an age-old Chasidic adage: Think good, and it will be good. Explore the fascinating ability our mind has to determine reality.

This lecture was delivered at the 13th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–94), the seventh leader of the Lubavitcher movement, is best known as simply “The Rebbe.” This panel offers an intimate view into his writings from scholars entrusted with collecting, translating, and spreading his wisdom.

Presented in honor of the Rebbe's Yahrtzeit on 3 Tammuz. Learn more about the Rebbe by visiting therebbe.org

This panel was featured at the 14th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.

The Rebbe inspired hundreds of thousands of lives with his determination to see the good in every person and situation. Hear the amazing stories, and discover the awesome and transformative power of positivity.

This lecture took place at the 12th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com.