Education by Rabbi YY Jacobson: Recent Episodes
TheYeshiva.net
Lecture to Mexico City Community: During this lecture to Mexico City Community for Twisted Parenting, learn new strategies which promote union and harmony in the family. Thursday, August 4, 2022, 10 pm ET.
Keynote at Conference of Chabad Women Educators: Rabbi YY Jacobson delivering the keynote address at the Conference of Chabad Women Educators, on 13 Tammuz, 5782, July 12, 2022, at the Hilton Hotel in Stamford, CT
Keynote Lecture Kesher Nafshi: Rabbi YY presented the keynote speech on Sunday, Parshas Emor, 7 Iyar, 5782, May 8, 2022, at the Kesher Nafshi Shabbaton, in the Raleigh Hotel South Fallsburg, NY.
In Conversation: Rabbi YY & Rabbi Shimon Russell, LCSW: Rabbi YY Jacobson & Rabbi Shimon Russell, LCSW,discussing and taking questions on zoom, regarding: Why Are So Many Teenagers Struggling in Today's Generation? What We Can Do to Help Them? Episode #83 of "Let's Get Real with Coach Menachem," with Rabbi Menachem Berenfeld, Life Coach, moderated by Asher Parnes.
Lecture for Parents of Shulamith School: Rabbi YY Jacobson presented the keynote lecture to the parents of Shulamith Girls School in Cedarhurst, NY, on Wednesday Parshas Vayigash, 4 Teves, 5782, December 8, 2021.
Keynote Yeshiva Birchas David Banquet: Rabbi YY Jacobson presented the keynote speech at theYeshiva Birchas David Banquet, onTuesday, 4 Av, 5781, July 13, 2021.
Lecture on Single Parenting with Q & A: This zoom lecture by Rabbi YY Jacobson addressing single parents,arranged by the organization "My Extended Family" of Monseyand was followed by Qand A, onMonday night, 9:00pm EST, 2 Adar, 5781, February 15, 2021,live from Rabbi YY Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY.
Keynote Aleinu Conference: Rabbi YY Jacobson addressed the 8th annual Aleinu Outreach Conference in Great Britain, for Rabbis, Rebbetzins, educators, leaders, outreach activists, all across England, involved in Jewish education and outreach. The theme of the keynote address was "There's a Knocking on the Door -- Will We Answer?" The presentation included guidance, inspiration, and advice to Rabbis, Rebbetzins, teachers, parents, and Leadersduring this Coronavirus. The zoom conference, arranged by Rabbi Naftali Schiff, took placeonWednesday evening, Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5781, January 13, 2021.
Keynote Sanz Boys School Monsey: Rabbi YY Jacobson served as the keynote speaker at the Chanukas Habayis dinner of the new beautiful buildingof Talmud Torah Darkei Avos Sanz, in Monsey, NY,under the leadership of the dean and principal, Rabbi David Mashinsky. The school is under the leadership of the Sanz-Klausenberg Rebbe Shlita, Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Halberstam, from Netanya, whose son, the Sanz Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yosef Moshe Dov Halberstam came from Israel to grace the event. The event took placeon Sunday, 5 Teves, 5781, December 20, 2020. The speech addresses the honesty, connection, and love that must inspire the education of our children.
Amudim Panel Discussion on Struggling Children: Rabbi YY Jacobson joined a panel for the Amudim Organization,on Monday, 6 Teves, 5781, December 21, 2020.The panelists discussed the reasons many youth are struggling with Judaism and what our approach should be toward these children. The other panelists were; Rabbi Daniel Korobkin,Rabbi of Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (Bayt),Allison Josephs,Founder of "Jew in the City", Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz,Founder of Yeshivas Darchei Noam and Project Y.E.S.
Chassidus: Likkutei Sichos Vayigash Vol. 3: This is a text-based class in Likkkutei Sichos vol. 3Parshas Vayigash. It is a Sicha (address) presented by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shabbos Parshas Miketz, 5722, (December 9, 1961), and wastaught by Rabbi YY Jacobsonon Thursday, Parshas Vayigash, 9 Tevet, 5781, December 24, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY. The class explores the question of why did Yaakov ask Yehuda, not Yosef, to build the Yeshiva in Goshen? The Jew lives in a material world, but his roots are planted in the soil of unadulterated spirituality. In his daily life, the Jew must often be a Yosef, but his education must be provided by a Yehuda.
Keynote Kesher Nafshi Melave Malka: Rabbi YY Jacobson delivered the keynote address at the Kesher Nafshi retreat,Motzoai Shabbos Parsha Chayei Sarah, 27 Cheshvan, 5781, November 14, 2020, at theRaleigh Hotel, South Fallsburg, NY
Rambam Mishneh Torah: This class in Rambam the laws of Talmud Torah, chapter two, was presented on FridayParshas Eikev, 17Av, 5780, August 7, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi Jacobson's home in Monsey, NY
Lakewood Zoom On Joy in Life: "If Everything Is So Beautiful on the Outside, Why Are We So Miserable on the Inside?" A Zoom conference with Rabbi YY Jacobson, on Sunday, 27 Tammuz, 5780, July 19, 2020, This is part of "Let's Get Real" series, Sunday Nights Live conferences, with Asher Parnas, and life coach MenachemBernfeld.
Devarim Women's Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Devarim, 29 Tammuz, 5780, July21, 2020, streaming live from Rabbi Jacobson's homein Monsey, NY
Internet & Technology: During COVID-19, all of us are using technology more than ever before. As schools went virtual, there are new questions and dilemmas. Rabbi YY Jacobson present on the subject,Sunday, 1 Sivan, 5780, May, 24, 2020
Los Angeles Yud Shevat 5780 Farbrengen: On Sunday evening, 1 Shevat, 5780, January 26, 2020, Rabbi YY Jacobson addressed the Chabad communities of Southern California, in preparation to Yud Shevat 5780, 70th yartzeit of the sixth Lubavitcher rebbe, the Rebbe Rayatz, and 70th year of the Lubavitcher rebbes leadership.
Women's Vayechi Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Vayechi, 10Teves, 5780, January 7, 2020 at the Ohr Chaim Shul, Monsey, NY
Women's Toldos Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Toldos, 28Cheshvon, 5780, November 26, 2019 at the Ohr Chaim Shul, Monsey, NY. It is one of those seemingly bizarre and absurd Talmudic tales. The king and queenthey were from the Hasmonaean dynasty, ruling during the Second Temple erasat and debated which food is preferable, the sheep or the goat. The king said, Goats are better. The queen said No! Sheep are better. They decided to seek the judgment of the Kohen Gadol, the High Priest of the Temple, because of his familiarity with these animals which regularly served as sacrifices. The High Priest was the man who cooked and consumed the most lamb and goat in the entire Jewish world; he would be the expert. They summoned the Kohen Kadol, Named Yissachar, who came from the town of Barkaei. He insolently waved his hand in a gesture that demonstrated disdain to the king. How can the king even consider such a foolish idea that goat meat was superior, said the High Priest, when the daily communal sacrifice was brought from sheep? Yissachar was arguing, if lamb was not superior to goat meat, why would G-d ask for a daily feast of lamb, rather than goat? The king was furious at the insult and the denigrating wave of the hand. The king declared: Since this man, the High Priest, has no reverence for the king, his right hand should be chopped off, making him unfit to serve at all in the Holy Temple (the Temple service was done primarily with the right hand). The Kohen Gadol bribed the executioner to cut off his left hand instead. When the king found out, he had his remaining hand chopped off as well. The Talmud then goes on to explain how the High Priest erred. For both the Torah and the Mishnah intimate that, from the Torah perspective, sheep and goats are equal. What are we to make of this apparently absurd tale? Should we laugh or cry? Is this a humorous tale? A parable? Or a reflection on the monstrous behavior of the monarchs of yore? And how about the story itself? Do kings and queens have nothing better to do than argue if lamb chaps are superior to goat meat? Anyhow, how can you argue about the taste of a meal? As we say in Hebrew, Al taam viraich, ain mah lhitvokaich. You cannot argue objectively about taste or smell. And what are we to make of the Kohen Gadols strange answer? The king and queen were ostensibly arguing about physical taste; how does that get resolved from the daily sacrifice in the Temple? Did the High Priest of Israel really believe that G-d consumed and enjoyed the meat of the offerings? It was the Maggid of Mezrich, Rabbi Dov Ber, one of the greatest spiritual masters of Judaism, the successor of the Baal Shem Tov, who suggested that this story served also as a parable for life. The debate between the king and the queen about sheep and goat represented the debate between Isaac and Rebecca about their sons Esau and Jacob, in this weeks portion. Yet, as fate would have it, the student of the Maggid who transcribed this teaching of his master, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz from the city of Lantzut, Poland, known as the Seer of Lublin, forgot the details. It was he, and the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, who suggested what the Maggid might have meant. It provides us with one of the most empowering lessons on educations and leadership in our world today.
The National Jewish Retreat, Washington, D.C.: This lecture was delivered at the National Jewish Retreat of JLI, in the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C. on Sunday, August 18, 2019 (17Av, 5779).
Keynote at Banquet of Dallas Torah Day School: This lecture was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Wednesday evening, 3 Iyar, 5779, May 8, 2019, at the annuel dinner of the Dallas Torah Day School, in Dallas, Texas. It explores the six cornerstones of Jewish identity and education: 1) Identity. 2) Freedom. 3) Values. 4) Family. 5) Independence. 6) Resilience.
London Lecture on Education : This lecture by Rabbi YY Jacobson was delivered at the ''Light in the Darkness'' event. in support of Yeshivas Meirim, in London,on Motzaei Shabbos, 16 Kislev, 5779, November 24, 2018, in the Grand Meridian Banqueting Suite, in the presence of close to 1,000 guests.
Yiddish Chinuch Lecture Boro Park: This lecture was presented at a Sheva Berachos of the Kreiman & Radzominski families, on Tuesday Parshas Chayei Sarah, 21 Cheshvan, 5779, October 30, 2018, in Boro Park, Brooklyn, NY.
Speech Education/Children/Joy: This speech was presented at the Bar Mitzvah of Shmuel Tzvi Engel, on Sunday Parshas Vayeitzei, 3 Kislev, 5779, November 11, 2018, in Monsey, NY
Toronto Holocaust Lecture: This lecture was presented at the Petach Tikvah shul in Toronto, on Tuesday, 28 Cheshvan, 5779, November 6, 2018, in honor of Holocaust Education Week in Toronto. The lecture was dedicated in the memory of Shmuel (Sam) ben Chaviv Buzaglo, who passed away on Hoshnah Rabah 5779, by his family. Prefacing remarks were delivered by Holocaust survivor Anita Ekstein, who shared her story of survival.
Lecture to Encore Therapists: This lecture was presented to all of the staff of Encore, Special Education Behavioral Health and Related Services, a children Therapy serving agency, on 23 Elul, 5778, September 3, 2018, in Boro Park, Brooklyn, NY.
Women's Chukas Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday, 6 Tamuz, 5778, June 19, 2018, at Ohr Chaim, Monsey, NY
Manchester Lecture at Seed Dinner: Keynote address by Rabbi YY Jacobson, at the Seeddinner in Manchester, Monday, 11 Adar, 5778, February 26, 2018. Seed, under the leadership of Rabbi Joey and Shaya Greenfeld, is dedicated to the education of Jewish families in Great Britain, and the theme of the dinner was "Generation to Generation: Inspired by Our Children."
This lecture was presented to the parent-body of the Chabad Hebrew School, Mainline, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, January 28, 2018.
Keynote Lecture at Belz Dinner: This Yiddish lecture was presented at a dinner for the Belzer Cheder in Monsey, NY,on Monday, 20 Shevat, 5778, February 5, 2018.
Bo/Pesach Women's Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Bo 5778, January 16, 2018, at Ohr Chaim, Monsey, NY
Chicago Education Lecture: This lecture for Madreigos Midwest of Chicago, helping children with social or academic challenges, was presented on Thursday Parshas Vayigash 3 Teves 5778, December 21, 2017
Torah Or Vayishlach Yaakov #2: This class, on , was presented on Thursday Parshas Vayishlach, 15 Kislev 5777, December 15, 2016. Understanding Eisav's Holiness: Yearning for Infinite Expression. Faced with a Moment of Chaos, It Is Time to Expand Your Horizons. The class explains the perspective of Yitzchak on Eisav and his son Elifaz. Yitzchak was not gullible and naive; he was deep. The class explores the difference between the life of the free bohemian and the man of finite structure, and why so many people today reject the path of marriage and commitment. Which path does Judaism embrace? What was the debate between the Vilna Gaon and the Baal Shem Tov? How the Baal HaTanya wanted to show how Halacha can contain the infinite energy of Eisav. The divine structure is never afraid of Tohu.
Toldos Womens Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Toldos, 25 Cheshvan, 5778, November 14, 2017, at Beis Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.
Tuesday Woman's Rosh Hashanah Class: This women's class was presented on Tuesday, 21 Elul 5777, September 12, 2017, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The class explores the debate in the Mishnah about the shape of the shofar and the debate if we take a breath between the Shevarim and the Teruah -- on a deeper emotional, psychological and spiritual level. Delving into the Attachment theory in psychology and in Judaism, the class explains two states of consciousness, Igulim and Yosher, oneness and separation, and how ultimately, it is in the synthesis of both that we can find our wholesomeness and meaning in life.
Hashkafa/Chinuch: During a class with Rabbi YY Jacobson, in Tamuz 5777, July 2017, a man related that when he eight years of age, he asked a question in class about a redundancy in a Pasuk in Parshas Bo. His teacher mocked the question and for the next 8 years this question became the paradigm of a foolish comment. This boy never asked a question again in class.32 years later, this young man related this story. Here is Rabbi YY Jacobson's response.
Balak Women's Class: This women's was presented on Tuesday Parshas Balak, 10 Tamuz, 5777, July 4, 2017, at Ohr Chaim shul in Monsey, NY. It is one of the strangest stories in the Torahwhen the donkey suddenly opens its mouth. But why the need for this strange and funny miracle? What was the point of a donkey seeing an angel, Balaam beating it because he could not see anything in front of him, and then the donkey opening its mouth? Why the need for this strange and humorous miracle? What exactly do we gain from knowing that the wicket Balaam managed to hear a donkey speak? Many commentators have offered various perspectives. Today we will offer one insight (I heard it from Reb Avi Fishoff). The Torah here is using a striking parable to convey a vital and critical message about education, mentoring and parenting. It is a message that can be a game changer today as we encounter so many young men and women giving up on themselves. Last week, a young 21 year old woman from Brooklyn died from overdose. Malky struggled for years with a terrible learning disability and when she was expelled from schools that were clueless, she lost her dignity and ultimately, after many a struggle, fell prey to drugs. She was a brilliant artist, a spunky and fun girl, with a heart of gold, but surrounded by clueless educators she lost faith in herself, though her family was as loving and supportive as anyone can be.
Behaaloscha/Korach/Pinchas: This women's class was presented on Tuesday Parshas Behaaloscha, 12 Sivan 5777, June 6, 2017, at Ohr Chaim, Monsey, NY
This class was presented to women on Tuesday Parshas Emor, 13 Iyar 5777, May 9, 2017 at Ohr Chaim shul in Monsey, NY
Pesach/Toldos Shuir in the Five Towns: This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson at Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid in Lawrence, NY, with an introduction by its spiritual leader, Rabbi Mordechai Stern. Why Do We Teach Children to Steal on the Night of Our Freedom? Stealing the Afikoman: The Halacha & the Spirituality -- The Night When You Have to Deceive Yourself. What is fascinating and deeply perplexing if not disturbing is the tradition in many homes, that the Afikomanthe larger piece of matzah hidden away till the end of the Passover mealis stolen! One, or a few, of the children, steal the Afikoman and hide it. They refuse to return it till father or mother promises them the world: It used to be a bike, a calculator (remember when kids got excited by calculators?), the new dress, the new book. Nowadays its the new iphone, ipod, ipad, trip to Europe, or even a Lamborghini. Do we really need to encourage our children to steal? Whats the educational benefit here? In Jewish law, it is absolutely forbidden to steal from a friend even as a joke or to teach a lesson, even if one has no intention of keeping the stolen object. How did Passover change this? What is the meaning of this mysterious, disturbing and morally objectionable custom to steal the Afikoman? In truth, the theme of stealing seems to be at the core of the entire Passover narrative. The Torah relates how Moshe deceived Pharaoh, telling him that the Jews were leaving Egypt for three days. But why did Moshe need to act deceptively, and not communicate honestly with Pharaoh? One more story occurred on the night of Passover. And lo and beholdit also involves thievery! It was on Pesach when Jacob dressed up like his brother Esau and stole the blessings that Isaac was planning to give to Esau. And it was on Pesach when Queen Esther declared that she would enter into the chamber of the king without his permission. She would trespass her boundaries. Is this how we celebrate freedom? By stealing, deceiving, and manipulating? In truth, it is the deception of Pharaoh, the deception of Esau, and in many communities the stealing of the Afikoman, which captures the core of the Pesach experience.
Do You Ever Throw a Child Out of the House? How to Deal with Rebellious Children. This class was presented in Adar 5777, March 2017, at Ohr Chain, Monsey, NY, at the conclusion of the daily Gemarah Shuir, Rosh Hashanah 16b, where the Gemarah says that Yishmael was judged based on his present siaution, not based on his future generations. The class was a response to the question, why, then, when it comes to a Ben Sorer Umoreh do we judge him based on his future, not his present?
A lecture by Rabbi YY Jacobson presented at an Amudim Awareness Event in Forest Hill, Queens, NY, on March 4, 2017. This event was held in response to many recent cases of overdose and suicide in the Jewish community. This is a sharp speech about confronting the crisis of youths losing their lives to addiction and despair, and the layers of deceptions and lies that allow the crisis to fester.
This keynote address was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson at the Torah Umesorah 9th Annual Presidents Conference, Motzaei Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach, 17 Kislev 5777, December 17, 2016, at the Turnberry Isle Miami Hotel, in Aventure, Florida.
Women's Toldos 5777 Class: This class was presented to women on Tuesday Parshas Toldos, Nov. 29, 2016, at Ohr Chaim, Monsey, NY.In this class, Rabbi YY Jacobson answers the big question, how can we call Eisav a Rasha if his fate was predetermined in the womb of his mother? As it turns, out Judaism creates special space for struggle, and so should we. What G-d wants from you is not what He wants from me.Children should ever be compared to each other.
Likkutei Torah Ki Tezei Maamar Ki Siyenoh Le'ish #1.How We Operate On Two Levels of Consciousness: an animal consciousness and a Divine consciousness. The struggle between them and how we must deal with it and discover harmony in our psyche. The ultimate solution is not obliteration but enlightenment and education. This class was delivered during the week of Pinchas 5776, July 2016, in Ohr Chaim, Monsey, NY.
This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson, Sunday morning, on the postponed fast-day of 17-18 Tamuz 5766, July 24, 2016, in Ohr Chaim Shul, Monsey, New York.
This Yiddish/English address was presented, Sunday, March 6, 2016, 26 Adar I 5776, at the dinner for Yaldei in Montreal.
Likkutei Sichos Beshalach: This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos vol. 21 Parshas Beshalach,explores an enigmatic commentary by Rashi on why Moshe's hands became heavy, and the powerful lesson for our days, on how to deal with Jews who "fell out of the system."
This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos vol. 10 Vayeitzei (said by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shabbos Vayeitzei, 9 Kislev, 5732, 1971), explores the strange fact that while Leah gives one reason for naming her oldest son Reuben, the Talmud and Rashi offer a completely different interpretation for the name. Leah names him Reuben (which means seeing), because G-d saw my pain; now my husband will love me. But how could she be sure about that?
This speech was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson at the Melavah Malkah of "Machazikim," for supporters of the Skver Cheder in Monsey, on Motzaei Shabbos Chayei Sarah 25 Cheshvan 5776, November 7, 2015. The address explains why we derive the laws of marriage from the story of Sarah's burial. It goes on to explore three features of an extraordinary Jewish school: 1. True love and acceptance. 2. Embracing every child in all of his or her complexities. 3. Great joy and passion in living a Jewish life.
This speech was presented on Sunday, November 1, 2015 (19 Cheshvan 5776), at the dinner celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, in New Haven, Conn., under the leadership of Rabbi Sheye Hecht. The lecture highlights the extraordinary story of this Jewish day school, founded by Rabbi Moshe Yitzchak Hecht in 1945.
Ronnie Kohen's Alway Our Kids organization sponsored a breakfast on Sept 21, 2014. The event took place in Kahal Torah's Chaim on Ave. L, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY. Rabbi YY Jacobson was the keynote speaker. The topic was "Who is Really at Risk?"
Class Ki Seitzei/Haftorah Miketz: In the very first recorded decision in the history of legal jurisprudence, in the Book of Books (Kings II 3:16), we read about King Solomon's brilliance and how it endeared him at such a tender age to the entire nation of Israel, who willingly accepted him as their monarch. Two women gave birth, one of the children died. Both women came before King Solomon, each one claiming that their child was the living one. The king decreed the child be cut in half, to which one woman agreed to give up the baby, while the other insisted on the verdict. Solomon rewarded the baby to the first woman. The Tanach says that as a result of this, the entire nation saw the Divine wisdom in the king. The story is filled with riddles and questions. This fascinating class analysis the thought process behind the kings decision, the behavior of the two women, one of them obviously lying, and what so impressed the people about this decision. It also explains the story from a psychological and spiritual perspective.
On May 14, 2015, A-Time hosted a radio show. Rabbi YY Jacobson responded to questions on parenting and education.
Class Bo/Bechokosei/Lag Baomer: I will terminate (v'hishbati) evil beasts from the land, the Torah states in Bechokosei. The precise meaning of the Hebrew word hashbatah, rendered here as terminate, is debated by our sages. According to Rabbi Judah, the term implies the utter cessation of a things existence. Thus, Rabbi Judah understands the divine promise to terminate evil beasts from the land to mean that in the harmonious world of Moshiach all destructive creatures and forces will be removed from the world. Rabbi Shimon disagrees: in his opinion, hashbatah implies only the termination of a things particular characteristicsin this case, the destructive nature of evil beasts. It is this feature of their being that G-d will eliminate, while they continue to exist in their new harmless and gainful cast. The class explores that this is the root of several other debates between Rabbi Judah and Rabbi Shimon, concerning the elimination of Chametz, rest on Shabbos, Moshiach, the nature of the Roman Empire, and many other themes in Jewish law. The class goes on to explore the debate on a physiological and spiritual level. How do we deal with children who are wild animals? How do we deal with our ego and arrogance? And how do we view the essential nature of the world?
This advanced text-based class, a Sicha of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Likkutei Sichos vol. 17 Parshas Emor), presented in 5771 (2011), explains the argument among the Chachmei Yisroel, the Scholars of Israel, if the prohibition to eat the new grain till the Omer offering was brought applies outside of the Holy Land. The Sicha sees the divergent views as stemming from two approaches to what we might call the psychology of inspiration. In the void of holiness, how do we effect a person? Do we try to recreate the holy reality in a diminished form? Or do we allow the person to experience the fullness of the void and thus create a new reality based on his imagination and yearning?
This radio show, on the Nachum Sigel Network, was aired Motzaei Shabbos, 6 Iyar 5775, April 25, 2015. Advice to teenagers on sexual boundries; modesty in dating; sensitivity to your body; speaking to your children and students about sensitive topics relateing to their body.
At a dinner for the Klausenburg School Kulam Ahuvim, 30 Nissan, 5775 (April 19 2015), Rabbi YY Jacobson presented (in Yiddish) four vital principles in educating our children and students.
This radio show, broadcast on April 18, 2015, focuses on how to speak to your children about their developing bodies and the gift and sensitivity of intimacy.
This radio show was recorded on Motzaei Shabbos 8 Nissan 5775, March 28,2015, one week after the horrific tragedy of seven children of the Sassoon family perishing in a blaze that broke out in their home Friday night, March 21. On Tuesday, March 24 a German pilot crashed a plane into the French Alps. On Thursday, Britain reburied King Richard III.
Sefas Emes Pesach: Who are the four children of the Haggadah? Why are they central to our Passover experience? What are their questions and why are these questions so important? The premise to answer all of these questions is that these the four children are not external to us; they are within each of us: within each of our hearts, there are four children who ask four distinct questions. What are the four biggest questions on Judaism? 1) The strange laws that we simply cannot wrap our brains ahead. I get the justice aspect of Judaism, but black boxes on my head? 2) How can small people really believe that G-d cares about their actions? 3) I lead my own life and define my own destiny. I dont need G-d. In our world of science and technology, the old needs are gone. 4) I simply dont care.
This radio show, aired on March 14, 2015, presents tips on educating & inspiring your children.
Celebrated founder and President of RCCS, Reb Hershel Kohn, made a Sheva Berachos for his grandson, on Motzei Shabbos Tetzaveh, 9 Adar, 5775, February 28, 2015, paying tribute to RCCS activists in Williamsburg. Rabbi YY Jacobson, in a Yiddish/English mix, spoke of the toward a happy marriage, the proper model for effective education and communication, and the art of empathy.
This class delves into a teaching of the Baal Shem Tov, about living a life in which ones happiness and intimacy with G-d never changes. A very profound and deep insight into living a life from the most perfect place, from a place so untarnished and pure, as to where there is no partition between the human person and the ultimate truth and happiness. This class also includes an exciting, practical conversation on educating our children from such a place.
Lecture at the annual dinner of Toras Emes day school in Los Angeles, California, presented on 19 Shevat 5775, February 8, 2015.
Segment of a workshop with mothers, in summer 2014, about Kids at Risk and the challenges we face today with parenting.
An informal workshop presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson to a group of single moms, on February 12, 2014, at the Jewish Children Museum, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY. (To protect the privacy of the attendees, many questions and comments were deleted, and only the answers were left.)
How To Talk To Your Children- The Power the Words You Use Have on Your Children. Class 1 of 4
Yud Shevat 5773 Webcast : Why We Need G-d In Our Schools. Can We Turn Our World Into a Garden? How Do We Educate Children? Is Man Inherently Good or Bad?
Modesty Today: Loving our spouses & children in a free world. An address to young couples, at the Shaarei Tefilah Shul in Los Angeles, CA, Motzaei Shabbos Vayigash, 11 Teves 5773. The lecture explains why at the moment of their encounter, after 22 years, Yaakov would not kiss his beloved son Yosef.
Yisro Class: The family members of great figures in history are often eclipsed and live in the shadow of their legendary relative. However, many times they are fascinating and inspiring characters in their own right. This class will compare and contrast the different philosophies of Yisro and Moshe, focusing on their views of the ideal and most meaningful Jewish education. Yisro, Moshes father-in-law, was a spiritual seeker who had studied and experimented with every spiritual and religious discipline of his time, until finally recognizing and embracing the G-d of the Jews. This class explores that strange midrashic story that Moses made an oath to his father in law that his first child he would dedicate to a life of idolatry. How can we make sense of this? Yet it is here that we discover the genesis of a major debate about Jewish education that persists to this very day.
A Tale of Two Children Living in Two Tomorrows- One lives in a tomorrow which is a continuum of today; the other lives in a tomorrow alienated from the today. How do we build bridges between the two?
Why Did Moses Not Enter the Holy Land? On the journey from slavery to freedom, the model of leadership must change
Rewriting the Script of Your Life: Labels Make Us Feel that We Are All of Whatever the Label Says We Are. But We Are Not All of Anything. Class 3 of 4
The Story of My Life -- How To Build Your Child's Self Esteem- We Are the Stories That We Tell, and the Stories Others Tell About Us. Lecture 2 of 4
The Chassidic Approach to the Study of Torah and Education of Children- Stories about the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Ber Schnueersohn, in honor of his 150th birthday, 20 Cheshvan 1860-2010
Already our Biblical forefathers in the desert, notwithstanding all of their rebellions and complaining, knew how to be generous. As a matter of fact sometimes they even gave blindly and to contradicting causes. The Talmud expresses this in amazement: What is the peculiar nature of this people? When asked to contribute to the Golden Calf, they gave, and when asked to donate to the building of the Sanctuary they also gave! Some people are compulsive gamblers, Jews are compulsive givers. One of the most striking characteristics of the Jewish people is that by nature we give charity. This is not only a religious virtue and charity for religious institutionsJews support endless organizations: Organizations devoted to world peace, to a greener environment, fighting cruelty to animals, saving the whales, the Democratic Party, the UN, and countless hospitals and universities. Where did we get the genes to give so much charity? From our father Abraham, the quintessential man of love and kindness. Jacob gave us the talent to study Torah, Isaacto work on ourselves, pray, and grow inwardly, but Abraham taught us how to love and give." A Talmudic statement alludes to a fascinating fact: even at the end of days, as the generations progress and grow spiritually and intellectually weaker, Jews will continue to give. This class will explore how todaymore than Isaac and JacobJews are characterized most by the genetic influence of Abraham. This is also our modern mission more than anything else, to emulate his example and learn how to love and accept each other.
"For more than three millenia, during the seven days of Sukkos, we eat, drink, feast, schmooze, relax, read, and sleep in a hut known as a Sukkah. This structure consists of walls and a roof composed of material that grew from the ground, like bamboo, straw or branches. How many walls does the Sukkah require? According to Jewish law, a Sukkah must have two complete walls plus a third wall that may even be one handbreadth long. If your Sukkah has three or four complete walls, that's wonderful; but the minimum requirement is two walls and a tiny piece of a third wall." "Why does the law dictate this exact requirement for the Sukkah walls? And what really is the spiritual and psychological significance of spending seven days in a hut on your porch or in your backyard? The great Kabbalists teach that Sukkos is the holiday, the celebration, of G-d loving and embracing the Jew. The Sukka is essentially G-ds hug. There are two forms of lovereciprocal love and unconditional love." "I may love you because of what I receive in return for my relationship with you. You may be wise, deep, sensitive, kind, beautiful, humorous, challenging etc. - qualities expressed in and through your face, your eyes, ears and mouth and general look - and I love you because of these or other tremendous qualities that enrich my life. Yet there is a far deeper love unconditional, unqualified and absolute love. I don't love you because of me; I love you because of you. You may not give me anything in return for my love, you may even want me out of your life, but I still love you with all my heart, because my soul loves your soul." "This great unconditional love is physically evident in the Sukka itself. This class will examine four different languages of love: Words of affection, a kiss, a gaze, and a hug. We will study the kabbalistic significance behind each, and discover the greatest love of all: the Sukka."
Eldad and Medad were prophesying Moses death. Joshua was outraged. Moses calmed him down saying, If only all of G-ds people would be prophets! How did that calm the rage?" Yet, when Korach challenged Moses authority saying, The whole community is holy, and the Lord is with them, why then do you exalt yourself over the community of G-d? Moses uses his power to eliminate the opposition. What a contrast in responses! Joshua came to tell Moses that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp, away from Moses and the seventy elders. Joshua regarded this as a dangerous threat to Moses leadership and said, Moses, my lord, stop them! Moses reply is one of the most majestic in the whole of Torah: Are you jealous for my sake? Would it be that all of G-ds people were prophets and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them! What was the difference between Eldad and Medad on the one hand, and Korach and his coconspirators on the other? What is the difference between Moses saying, Would it be that all the G-ds people were prophets, and Korachs claim that The whole community is indeed holy? Why was the first, but not the second, a legitimate sentiment? There is a distinction here which goes to the very core of the two narratives. And it has to do with the fundamental difference between two modes of leadership: power and influence. Here we are being taught the difference between power and influence: Men of power can die; men of influence never die.
"What is the secret of success in educating and inspiring your children and students? An ancient Talmudic episode regarding an exchanger between Jacob and his children on his deathbed captures the answer. Just as in your heart there is only One, so too in our heart there is onlyOne: Children are the mirror oftheir parents hearts. A textual reflection on the portion of Shema" "A textual reflection on the portion of Shema demonstrates the point that only that which lay deeply in our hearts will resonate with our children in the depth of their hearts."