Dear Reader,<\/p>\n
My belief is that Judaism and Positive Psychology make the perfect pairing. Both are focused on living a life of meaning and achieving higher levels of well-being. Living a Positively Jewish Life will not only guide people to be more confident, optimistic, open to diversity, and able to learn lessons from hardship, but they will also experience their work as a calling, act and think with purpose, contribute and help, appreciate family and friends, and act generously.<\/span> As as result, our religious communities will become more vibrant and engaging – full of thriving people seeking to grow themselves, their families, and our communities from the place of Jewish values. <\/span><\/p>\n The founders of Positive Psychology said: <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe believe that a psychology of positive human functioning will arise, which achieves scientific understanding and effective interventions to build thriving individuals, families and communities.\u201d Unlike traditional psychology with it\u2019s primary focus on treating mental illness through psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and related cognitive interventions, the goal of positive psychology is primarily concerned with optimal living, nurturing genius and talent, and using research to make life more fulfilling. Positive psychology brings attention to the possibility that focusing only on disorder could result in a partial, and limited, understanding of a person\u2019s whole being and life goals. (sourced from wikipedia \u201cPositive Psychology.)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Positive Psychology is pro-religion and acknowledges the added value of cultural affiliation and the spiritual life in a person\u2019s overall health. Numerous studies have examined the relation of religiousness and mental health, psychological distress, and other variables related to well-being using a variety of measures.<\/span> It has been shown that religious people are happier and more satisfied with life than non-religious individuals most likely because it\u2019s in the religious realm that people can best express their most human values (optimism, hope, love, kindness, gratitude, etc.) and appreciate and develop their psychological strengths (bravery, courage, authenticity, love of learning, humility, forgiveness, etc).<\/span> Research studies conclude that: <\/span><\/p>\n Now, enter Positive Judaism:<\/span><\/p>\n Positive Psychology finds a perfect application in Jewish living. One might say, \u201ceverything about Judaism is already positive! Our values, our customs, for 3000 years it has sustained us. We don\u2019t need new, we need tradition!\u201d <\/span>My response is that Positive Judaism is tradition. \u00a0As Ben Bag Bag would say, “Turn it, and turn it, for everything is in it. . .don’t turn from it, for nothing is better than it (Pirkei Avot 5:22).”<\/span><\/p>\n Positive Judaism is a turn towards authentic Judaism. It takes the guesswork out of what makes life meaningful because we can now benefit from research in human well-being. We have a new opportunity to \u201cturn it and turn it\u201d again. But now, a turn in with a framework that approaches Judaism with the human science of well-being at its core. <\/span>When clergy and educators focus on these values in their teachings and use them \u201creligiously\u201d and consistently, I believe the effect over time will help individuals and communities:<\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately, Positive Judaism answers the question, \u201cwhy be Jewish?\u201d For people who are seeking to enhance their personal well-being, for Jewish leaders who are seeking to have a relevant and positive impact in their ministry, and for individuals and congregations seeking to have a positive impact on their larger community, Positive Judaism offers a compelling framework for Jewish living in the 21st Century. <\/span><\/p>\n To your wellbeing and positivity,<\/span><\/p>\n Rabbi Darren Levine<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dear Reader, My belief is that Judaism and Positive Psychology make the perfect pairing. Both are focused on living a life of meaning and achieving higher levels of well-being. Living a Positively Jewish Life will not only guide people to be more confident, optimistic, open to diversity, and able to learn lessons from hardship, but…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":618,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[6,8,2,3,7,4,5],"class_list":["post-23","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-darren","tag-happy","tag-jewish","tag-judaism","tag-levine","tag-positive","tag-rabbi"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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