about | Book Rabbi Simon Jacobson

Dancing with God: The Ecstasy of Jewish Mysticism; The Energy of Kabbalah and Chassidus
Kabbalah is shrouded in mystery and controversy. This session will take us on a journey into the soul of Jewish spirituality, training us in the inner workings of our personal and cosmic psyches. Learn to access joy even when life is cruel, and uncover hidden strengths embedded in our souls. Discover how to use the divine gifts of song and love as tools to reconnect to the Source, turning your life into a perpetual dance.

Is Your Self-Worth Defined By Your Net-Worth? Future Economics – A New Model
From Aristotle to Calvin, Max Weber to Adam Smith and Karl Marx, philosophers and political scientists throughout history have tried to understand the meaning of money, its effects on a society, and how to build a co-existing community within the context of self-interest and financial competition. This session will analyze these conflicting systems and offer a third, revolutionary, economic model – based on Torah thought – which synthesizes the best of all approaches.

The Fourth Revolution: An Historical Overview Of Spirituality
With history as a backdrop, from the agricultural revolution to the industrial revolution and the present computer and information revolution, this session will identify the fourth and final frontier: the spiritual revolution. Recognizing this new era will help us discover forward-thinking measures that will not only stem the tide of resignation but introduce new vitality into our lives and institutions, carrying us through this new millennium and effecting global change.

The Soul of Sexuality: Can I Find Eternal Love?
We live in times of a crisis in intimacy and relationships. Discover what 4,000 years of Jewish wisdom says about the art of love and the soul of marriage; igniting the passionate spark of intimacy, resolving conflicts at home, and finding and maintaining fulfilling relationships. Learn how to access the cosmic power of sexuality and how to ride the rollercoaster of married life. For singles and couples alike.

Can We Bridge Faith and Modernity? A Frank Discussion on Jewish Relevance to Our Lives Today
With a steep decline in Jewish affiliation and a 50% intermarriage rate, everyone is searching for the solution to guarantee Jewish continuity. A deep disparity exists between Jewish tradition and personal relevance. 60% of Buddhists in America are Jewish, and the observant Jewish life seems to be dogmatic, insulated and not all-inclusive. This session will address the single most important challenge of our times: Can Judaism be personally relevant, spiritually passionate and fashionable for our times?

Who Are You: Id Or Yid? A New Psychological Model
What is the driving force within each of us – selfishness or selflessness? Freud and Darwin are the primary authorities on the nature of modern man: ‘Survival of the fittest’ is the cardinal rule of all life, with superimposed rules to allow for coexistence. This session will reveal the surprising true father of modern psychology. Discover an alternative, upbeat view of the human psyche. Your expectations of yourself and others will never be the same.

Toward a Meaningful Life: Universal Jewish Life-Skills
Discover methods and practical applications to integrate modern life with higher meaning; to fuse ritual with spiritual. Learn techniques that will help you discover your own personal mission statement, which in turn infuses each aspect of your life with higher consciousness – from personal growth to loving relationships; from home and family to work and wealth; from life’s shadows to the role of God in our lives; from technology to psychology.

Bringing Heaven Down to Earth: Spirituality Confronts Reality
Description: This session will explore some of the themes that have evolved over the last two days, as well as ask whether religion and spirituality can really be reconciled? Can religious or spiritual beliefs and practices really improve health, well-being and longevity? We will consider the wider application of meditative practices within society, and question the commercialization of spirituality.

Was Moses Orthodox, Conservative or Reform? The Secret to Jewish Unity and How We Can Eradicate Divisiveness
What defines Jewish identity? Differing opinions have brought on condescension and divisiveness that rips apart communities, families and cultures. Unity, Ahavat Yisroel, is the cornerstone of Judaism; peace, shalom, is our greatest blessing. Indeed, the Temple was destroyed because of baseless hate. This session will cover the erosive roots of divisiveness and offer fresh ways how we can reintroduce a spirit of love – knowing that we are all parts of one spiritual organism.

The Kabbalah of Today’s Global Conflicts: The Battles between Islam, Christianity and Judaism
Tracing the Biblical, historical and mystical roots of what some have coined the “clash of civilizations,” this session will address the fascinating parallels of our current confrontations to the millennia old tensions between Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Going all the way back to the struggles in the homes of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, you will discover new ways to relate with our ancient ancestors. And how each of us can affect world events through our own actions.

Middle East Turmoil: What Does it All Mean? A Historical/Spiritual Perspective
What are we to make of the recent upheavals in the Middle East and how are they going to play out across the rest of the world? Should we be concerned? How will it impact Israel? What does the future hold? The media is weighing in on the immediate and short-term consequences of this turmoil. But there is a bigger picture – a broader perspective. When you think about it, these latest uprisings should not surprise us: After all, this region has been fraught with battles since the beginning of time! But what lies behind all these upheavals, and where are they leading?

You may be surprised to discover that these events — in a broad sense — have been foretold in Biblical texts. Please join Rabbi Jacobson tonight in a dramatic discussion exploring the roots of the current turmoil, and the unique birds’ eye perspective the Torah offers us on the meaning of these events and what we should do about them.

Freedom, Individuality and the Common Good: How to Balance Individual Expression and Self-Interest with the Cooperation Needed for Coexistence and Complementation
The first millennium was marked by a focus on the collective, with little attention paid to the individual. In the second millennium – coined by some as the “me millennium” – individuality came racing to the fore with a vengeance. But the question today is: How to we reconcile individual needs and the collective good. This struggle is amplified in today’s age of prosperity and technology. This session will explore the different approaches to the role played by government and laws that regulate the private and public sectors, and shed light a new way that Judaism offers us to bridge the individual and the community.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Judaism But Were Afraid to Ask: Sexuality, Cremation, Abortion and Other Controversial Issues of Our Time

Who Gave the Rabbis All Their Power?
Is the entire spectrum of Jewish life based on the whim of a few rabbis 1500 years ago? Why should we listen to them now?