Judaism's Top Talks

Bella Miller was there. She remembers the tattoo being branded on her arm, the starvation, and the brutality. She also remembers the spark of humanity and the wisp of hope. Hear her spellbinding and uplifting story. This address took place at the 12th 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 .

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 .

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 .

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...

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.

Join Rabbi Yossi Paltiel as he goes through all 15 steps of the Passover Seder explaining the practical and mystical side of this special evening.

Here’s a chance to demystify the Jewish calendar and master its deeper meaning. Why don’t we just follow the secular calendar? Why do we glorify the moon? This class dissects the inner workings of the Jewish calendar to reveal the precision and certainty that it gives our year and our lives.

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 th...

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...

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 .

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 .

What instruction and lessons for living can the holiday of Purim offer us to use in our personal growth and our everyday lives? Explore the depths of the Book of Esther with Shimona Tzukernik, world-renowned speaker and educator, and find out.   You can visit Mrs. Tzukernik's website at:  thekabbalahcoach.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 .

This lecture was delivered on March 2, 2011 at an event organized by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute of Metropolitan Chicago ( www. JLIChicago.com ).  Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski’s lecture entitled Attaining Happiness, addressed the misconception of happiness in today’s society and what we can do to find the answers to true happiness.   His presentation included a PowerPoint of interesting 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...

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 .

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 .

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...

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 .

The solemn Yizkor prayer is Judaism’s way of remembering those who have passed on. But what does it mean to remember? Is it to cherish the past or connect to them in the present? Take part in this moving discussion on the bond between the living and those who have gone to their eternal rest—but are never gone. This lecture took place at the 11th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information...

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 .

Here today, gone tomorrow? For sure not. According to kabbalah, death is really birth. It’s not the end of life but the beginning of a new life. We all have freedom of choice in our lives, and what happens after death reflects the choices we have made. Join an unbelievable adventure, upward and onward, into the shocking spiritual terrains of the soul’s trek out of this world. This lecture took pla...

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 .