Judaism's Top Talks

National Jewish Retreat

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Listen to highlights from a variety of first-rate speakers from past sessions of the National Jewish Retreat.
The National Jewish retreat is the premier Jewish event of the year, bringing 1200 Jews of all backgrounds together for 5 days of learning, inspiration and good times. get a taste of it by listening to these excerpts ranging from Talmudic interpretation to fascinating first person human interest stories. Featuring speakers from all walks of Jewish life.
Join us at this year's Retreat in Atlanta on August 10-15.
Register at JRetreat.com

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145 episodes

Calling All Heroes - Rabbi Moshe Bryski

We’re all fascinated by heroes, from childish dreams of superheroes to real-life heroes who put their lives on the line. But did you know that there’s a “Hero Code” waiting just under the surface inside every one of us? Learn to mirror your innate heroic qualities in your life.  THIS LECTURE WAS DELIVERED AT THE 16TH ANNUAL NATIONAL JEWISH RETREAT. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR THE NEXT RETREAT, VISIT: JRETREAT.COM http://jretreat.com/.

50m
Mar 27
The Jewish Response to Racism - Rabbi Simon Jacobson

How does Judaism react in the face of senseless racist hatred? And how should we think about racial issues? This lecture was delivered at the 16th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

51m
Mar 20
Kosher in the Post Covid Age- Rabbi Berel Bell

The recent upheavals surrounding Covid have transformed many aspects of our lives. When it comes to Kosher food, can we even trust what the label says? Find out how the world of Kosher food has changed in the 2022 Kosher Update. This lecture was delivered at the 16th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

55m
Mar 13
The Greatest Jewish Joke Ever Written - Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson

Explore the history of Jewish humor and the humor of Jewish history. This lecture was delivered at the 16th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

46m
Mar 06
Toward Jewish Mindfulness

Jewish spirituality grounds our minds, emotions, and behaviors in a loving and compassionate life of Mitzvot. Mindfulness training cultivates an awareness of “what is happening” without being swept along by judgments and emotions. Are they compatible? This lecture was delivered at the 16th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

51m
Feb 27
Assess Your Spiritual Side - Yekusiel JD Kalmenson

* * This interactive session challenges you to engage your view of spirituality. Asking the questions you’ve been wondering about, we’ll introspect, discover our assumptions, and consider new perspectives. * This session took place at the 16th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/. *  

45m
Feb 20
The Awakened Brain - Dr. Lisa Miller

* * Whether it’s meditation, a nature walk, reading a sacred text, or saying a prayer, there are many ways to tap into a heightened awareness of the world and your place in it. A leading expert illuminates the surprising science of spirituality and its application to our lives. * This session took place at the 16th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/. *  

44m
Feb 13
Change the Way You See Things and the Things You See Will Change - Rabbi Dovid Vigler

Can bad things really come from a good G-d? This lecture was delivered at the 16th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

59m
Feb 06
A Light Unto the Nations - Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet

If the Jewish people are G-d’s ambassadors on earth, how does that affect how we act and how other people see us? Discover what being G-d’s ambassador truly means, and recognize that somebody’s keeping an eye on you wherever you go.

47m
Jan 30
The Holy Temple Within - Mrs. Leah Rosenfeld

Each of us embodies a minature version of the Holy Temple which once stood in Jerusalem. Learn how to navigate your soul, its purpose and your impact on the world. This lecture was recorded at the 15th annual National Jewish Retreat. Visit Jretreat.com /jretreat.com to learn more and sign up to upcoming Retreats.

47m
Jan 23
Entering Into the Mind of G-d - Rabbi Laibl Wolf

* * Project G-d’s mind onto the screen of time and space, and voila, you get our physical world. Join us as we unfold the matrix of creation, and realize our role as G-d’s partner in an unfinished creation. We’ll look at human psychology and the way the universe is contained within our person and life.

46m
Jan 16
What G-d Does to Your Brain- Dr. Andrew Newberg

Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg draws on his years of research as he explores the measurable effect belief in G-d has on your brain, your health, and your mental wellbeing.

42m
Jan 09
A Chassidic Response to Unfathomable Tragedy - Rabbi Shalom Lipskar

When the Surfside Condominiums collapsed on June 24, 2021, Rabbi Sholom Lipsker was just up the block. Hear the story of his personal involvement in an unfathomable communal tragedy, and the community's responce in the aftermath.

57m
Dec 26, 2022
How To Win Friends and Influence People: The Jewish Way - Mrs. Rochel Holzkenner

Explore the Jewish guide to social skills and interpersonal relationship. Learn core insights gleaned from Tanya’s 32nd Chapter, you’ll wish you’d known sooner.

59m
Dec 19, 2022
Seizing Life's Moments - Rabbi Moshe Bryski

Every human being is both who they are and who their G-dly potential says they can become. Life hands us myriads of opportunities to put these two dimensions into sync. The key to a meaningful and impactful life lies in seizing these moments.

57m
Dec 14, 2022
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? - Rabbi YY Jacobson

Atheism has one major advantage: it explains evil elegantly. But how does the man of faith approach this question? In a letter penned in 1965 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe to Noble Laureate Eli Wiesel, the Rebbe discusses the questions of all questions. This lecture took place at the 11th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

53m
Dec 05, 2022
Bible Criticism: Critiquing the Critics - Rabbi Dr. J. Immanuel Schochet

* Did G-d communicate to human beings all that He would like us to be doing down here? How do we know we heard G-d at Sinai? Who wrote the Torah? G-d? Moses? A committee of authors? How do we deal with apparent contradictions and inconsistencies which “academia” claims to “discover” in the Torah? Can a modern, reasonable, educated person still believe that the Torah is literally the word of G-d? If any of these questions have ever bothered you, or if you would like to better prepared to answer others when they ask, this seminar is for you. *   * This lecture was delivered at the 4th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

1h 14m
Nov 28, 2022
Does G-d Love You? - Rabbi Aryeh Weinstein

The commandment tells us, "And you shall love G-d," but what about the reverse? Does G-d, can G-d, love us back? Does that mean we can't get him upset? Explore the relationship of a lifetime.

27m
Nov 21, 2022
Celebrating the Service Driven Life- Rabbi David Aaron

Discover how Torah’s spiritual technology enables us to live with purpose, passion, and power, and to fill our days with greater goodness and ultimate 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 http://jretreat.com/.

40m
Nov 14, 2022
The Road to Happiness -Rabbi Mordechai Dinerman

This talk will use Jewish perspectives on trauma, loss, and consolation, to con-sider the psychological challenges that such situations present. The wisdom of Jew-ish approaches in providing comfort and steering us towards healthy adaptations will be highlighted, in the face of psychological research. This lecture took place at the 12th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

1h 1m
Nov 07, 2022
Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?- Rabbi Tzvi Flaum

In this session abortion will be addressed, one of the most polarizing issues in contemporary discourse, from the perspective of Jewish law and ethics. Does a woman always have the right to terminate her pregnancy? Or does life begin at conception, and destroying a fetus tantamount to murder? This lecture was delivered at the 9th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com http://jretreat.com/.

48m
Oct 31, 2022
The Power of Positive Thinking- Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet

Do thoughts really impact reality? Explore the power of positivity in this exploration of the expression, , Think good and it will be good.

34m
Oct 24, 2022
The Secret of the Snake & The Garden of Eden Rabbi DovBer Pinson

As we strat the Torah anew, explore the strange story in Genesis of Adam and the Tree of Knowledge with Kabbalist Rabbi Dovber Pinson.

1h 9m
Oct 16, 2022
Sukkot and the Four Species: Finding Individuality Within Unity - Mrs. Shimona Tzukernik

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

19m
Oct 09, 2022
Teshuva: Time Travel - Rabbi Pinchas Taylor

Change sins to merits with one simple discovery. Through teshuvah http://chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361890/jewish/Teshuvah.htm, repentence, we can lessen past sins and even change some to merits. Rabbi Pinchas Taylor https://www.torahcafe.com/scholar/rabbi-pinchas-taylor_0000000553.html shows how science is coming to support different approaches to time and space, which have always been known in Jewish mystical literature.

39m
Oct 03, 2022
Pulling from the Past to Fuel the Future: The Power of Teshuvah - Mrs. Dassie New

The Talmud teaches, “A  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 , Judaism’s gift of redemptive transformation.

49m
Sep 25, 2022
Pull Weeds and Plant Seeds: A Pre-Rosh Hashanah Gardening Lesson - Rabbi Lazer Gurkow

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

33m
Sep 19, 2022
Living a Superhuman Life - Rabbi Ari Sollish

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.

1h 1m
Sep 12, 2022
Who's in Charge?- Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet

Have you ever been shocked by something you did? In this session, we explore how our “inner games”—our thoughts and moods—shape who we are and what we 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 http://jretreat.com/.

41m
Sep 05, 2022
Love Tales from the Talmud - Rabbi Dov Greenberg

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 http://jretreat.com/.

57m
Aug 29, 2022