Published Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:19 PM PST
Topstory
On a path toward happiness
Six-week Jewish program taught at more than 300 Chabad centers will help pupils to understand their purpose in life.
By Ashley Breeding
Most monks will tell you the path to enlightenment takes a lifetime, but how about getting there in six weeks?
OK, well maybe not so fast, but the new self-help course offered by Chabad Jewish Center in Newport Beach can at least get you started on the path to happiness in six weeks, thanks to Soul Maps, a course that combines ancient teachings of the Kabbalah with innovative approaches to psychology.
The program, initiated by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, will be taught at more than 300 Chabad Jewish Centers worldwide beginning today.
Rabbi Mintz, who will teach the course in Newport Beach, said of all the similar programs he has led in the past four years, this is the one he is most excited about.
“I encounter many people in the community who say they feel like they’re running in circles in their search for direction,” he said. “The purpose of this program is to help them learn how to navigate their inner complexity and clear a path for themselves.
“Most people want to be nurturing and caring, but at times feel self-centered or aggressive. We want to help them make sense of these thoughts and emotions, to understand their purpose, and live life to its fullest potential.”
Amy Robinson Buck, who has taken similar courses at Chabad in the past, said she is looking forward to the Soul Maps program.
“I’ve never learned about the Kabbalah before, and I think it will add a new dimension to other things I have studied,” she said. “The JLI classes are formulated really well, and Rabbi Mintz does a great job of teaching their concepts because he goes in depth, but is easy to understand.
“The classes are also a good way to connect with other Jews in the community. It’s a really nice group of people and I always enjoy getting to know the other students.”
The program will closely follow the book of Tanya, an 18th-century exposition on Jewish spirituality and psychology from the perspective of Hasidic philosophy and Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah).
The book serves as an advice-giving guide in a non-sermonized format and explains how spiritual growth to high levels is attainable if we’re willing to endure the climb.
“The Kabbalah was once a mystical teaching that was shared by very few, and the Tanya brought it to the masses,” Mintz said. “We can all gain insight from its practical implications.
Students will walk away with concrete tools they can utilize in everyday life to resolve guilt, confusion and conflict, and to develop joy in everyday life.”
The course is designed for people of all levels of knowledge, including first-time learners of the Kabbalah. The 90-minute sessions will utilize material from more than 200 Cabalists across the globe, and will involve textbooks, interactive dialogue, and audiovisuals.
Each center will follow the same schedule, which makes it an easy commitment for those who travel. Chabad also invites the community to join the first class for free to see if it interests them.
“It’s amazing if we invest just a little time, how much we can come away with,” Mintz said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Soul Maps
WHEN: 7:15 to 8:45 tonight, Nov. 18, 25, Dec. 2, 9 and 16.
WHERE: Chabad Jewish Centers, worldwide.
INFORMATION: Cost is $79 and includes textbooks and materials; first lesson is free for those who want to check it out; registration required; visit www.myjli.com for information or to register.
In the Media |
 |
 |
Naperville Sun Wednesday, Nov 3rd, 2010
|
 |
J-Wire Tuesday, Nov 2nd, 2010
|
 |
The News-Press, Southwest Florida Tuesday, Nov 2nd, 2010
|
 |
The Rice Thresher Monday, Nov 1st, 2010
|
 |
Jewishinstlouis.org Wednesday, Oct 27th, 2010
|
 |
NY Blueprint Tuesday, Oct 26th, 2010
|
 |
Winnipeg Jewish Review Tuesday, Oct 26th, 2010
|
 |
North South Brunswick Sentinel Tuesday, Oct 26th, 2010
|
 |
Vail Daily News Tuesday, Oct 26th, 2010
|
 |
Miami's Community Newspapers Monday, Oct 18th, 2010
|
 |
South African Jewish Report Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
|
 |
St. Louis Jewish Light Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
|
 |
Norwich Bulletin Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
|
 |
Swampscott Reporter Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
|
 |
J-Wire Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
|
 |
Warwick Beacon Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
|
 |
Jewish Ledger Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
|
 |
Reston Connection Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010
|
 |
TribLocal.com Tuesday, Sep 14th, 2010
|
 |
lubavitch.com Tuesday, Sep 14th, 2010
|
 |
Sparta Independent Friday, May 14th, 2010
|
 |
The Vancouver Sun Monday, May 10th, 2010
|
 |
Stockton Record Thursday, Apr 29th, 2010
|
 |
Skokie Review Thursday, Apr 29th, 2010
|
 |
Jewish Review Wednesday, Apr 28th, 2010
|
 |
Jewish Press of Tampa Wednesday, Apr 28th, 2010
|
 |
Roseville Press Tribune Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
|
 |
Summit Daily News Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
|
 |
Jewish Review Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
|
 |
Lubavitch.com Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
|
 |
Madison Eagle Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
|
 |
Beliefnet.com Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
|
 |
SILive.com Monday, Apr 26th, 2010
|
 |
Boulder Jewish News Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
|
 |
Santa Barbara News-Press Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
|
 |
Daily Record Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
|
 |
5 Towns Jewish Times Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
|
 |
TheAlternativePress.com Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
|
 |
SILive.com Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010
|
 |
5 Towns Jewish Times Thursday, Apr 1st, 2010
|
 |
The Montreal Gazette Tuesday, Mar 16th, 2010
|
 |
Toledo Blade Monday, Feb 8th, 2010
|
 |
Hartford Courant Tuesday, Feb 2nd, 2010
|
 |
Norwich Bulletin Monday, Feb 1st, 2010
|
 |
Cincinnati.com Monday, Feb 1st, 2010
|
 |
Asheville Citizen-Times Wednesday, Jan 27th, 2010
|
 |
Westchester.com Wednesday, Jan 27th, 2010
|
 |
Vail Daily News Wednesday, Jan 27th, 2010
|
 |
Jewish Press of Pinellas County Wednesday, Jan 27th, 2010
|
 |
New Jersey Jewish Standard Tuesday, Jan 26th, 2010
|
 |
Madison Eagle Monday, Jan 25th, 2010
|
 |
NorthJersey.com Wednesday, Jan 20th, 2010
|
 |
Recorder Community Newspapers Tuesday, Jan 19th, 2010
|
 |
The Alternative Press Monday, Jan 18th, 2010
|
 |
Cincinnati.Com Wednesday, Jan 13th, 2010
|
 |
Florida Sun Sentinel Wednesday, Jan 13th, 2010
|
 |
Friday, Dec 18th, 2009
|
 |
Jewish Times of Southern New Jersey Friday, Dec 11th, 2009
|
 |
Lubavitch.com Thursday, Dec 3rd, 2009
|
 |
Lower Hudson Journal news Wednesday, Dec 2nd, 2009
|
 |
Daily Breeze Monday, Nov 30th, 2009
|
 |
JackCentral - Flagstaff, AZ Thursday, Nov 19th, 2009
|
 |
Jewish Press - August 2009 Wednesday, Nov 18th, 2009
|
 |
Toledo Blade Monday, Nov 9th, 2009
|
 |
Charlotte Sun Thursday, Nov 5th, 2009
|
 |
The Westender - Brisbane's Urban Voice www.westender.com.au Thursday, Oct 29th, 2009
|
 |
The Westender - Brisbane's Urban Voice www.westender.com.au Thursday, Oct 29th, 2009
|
 |
Cincinnati.com Thursday, Oct 29th, 2009
|
 |
YourNepean.com Wednesday, Oct 28th, 2009
|
 |
NJ.com Wednesday, Oct 28th, 2009
|
 |
Orlando Judaism Examiner Friday, Oct 23rd, 2009
|
 |
SILive.com Friday, Oct 23rd, 2009
|
 |
The Riverdale Press Thursday, Oct 22nd, 2009
|
 |
Asheville Citizen-Times Wednesday, Oct 21st, 2009
|
 |
The Billings Gazette Monday, Oct 19th, 2009
|
 |
The Swampscott Reporter Friday, Sep 25th, 2009
|
 |
The Westender Monday, Sep 14th, 2009
|
 |
Palm Beach Daily News Sunday, Sep 6th, 2009
|
 |
Jewish Press Thursday, May 21st, 2009
|
 |
Jewish Press Thursday, May 21st, 2009
|
 |
Jewish Press Thursday, May 21st, 2009
|
 |
Five Towns Jewish Times Online Friday, May 8th, 2009
|
 |
www.hometownlife.com Monday, May 4th, 2009
|
 |
Jewish Times of Southern New Jersey Monday, May 4th, 2009
|
 |
chicagojewishnews.com Friday, Feb 20th, 2009
|
 |
Vail Daily Monday, Feb 16th, 2009
|
 |
YourHub.com Monday, Feb 16th, 2009
|
 |
Calgary Herald Monday, Feb 9th, 2009
|
 |
The Stonington Times Thursday, Feb 5th, 2009
|
 |
NJ.com Somerset Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2009
|
 |
baltimoresun.com Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2009
|
 |
NJ.com Wednesday, Feb 4th, 2009
|
 |
Wednesday, Jan 28th, 2009
|
 |
silive.com Monday, Jan 26th, 2009
|
 |
Westender-Brisbane Monday, Jan 26th, 2009
|
 |
Jewish Times of Southern New Jersey Wednesday, Jan 21st, 2009
|
 |
wickedLocal.com- Swamscott Tuesday, Jan 20th, 2009
|
 |
Chabad Jewish Learning Institute of Winnipeg Tuesday, Jan 20th, 2009
|
 |
silive.com Monday, Jan 19th, 2009
|
 |
Jewish Times-SJ Monday, Jan 19th, 2009
|
 |
Baltimore Jewish Times - November 7, 2008 Thursday, Jan 1st, 2009
|
 |
The Gazette (Montreal) Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Greater Media Newspapers Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Toledo Blade Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
jewishinstlouis.org Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Singapore Outreach Program Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
The Westender Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Vail Daily News Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
The Tennessean Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Calgary Herald Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Cincinnati.com Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Canadian Jewish News Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Student Thursday, Dec 11th, 2008
|
 |
Asheville Citizen-Times Tuesday, Nov 4th, 2008
|
 |
WESTENDER Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
|
 |
News Press Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
|
 |
Thousand Oaks Acorn Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
|
 |
The Baltimore Sun Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
|
 |
YourHub.com Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
|
 |
The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
|
 |
Jewish Press Friday, Oct 31st, 2008
|
 |
Staten Island Advance Monday, Oct 27th, 2008
|
 |
Lubavitch.com Friday, Aug 22nd, 2008
|
 |
Calgary Herald Thursday, May 15th, 2008
|
 |
Voices Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
|
 |
5 Towns Jewish Times Monday, Mar 31st, 2008
|
 |
Hunterdon County Democrat Tuesday, Feb 5th, 2008
|
 |
Calgary Herald Saturday, Feb 2nd, 2008
|
 |
www.JewishTelegraph.com Wednesday, Jan 2nd, 2008
|
 |
Town-Crier Tuesday, Jan 1st, 2008
|
 |
www.lubavitch.com Monday, Dec 31st, 2007
|
 |
The Jewish Telegraph Monday, Dec 31st, 2007
|
 |
Calgary Herald Thursday, Nov 22nd, 2007
|
 |
Arutz Sheva (www.IsraelNationalNews.com) Wednesday, Nov 21st, 2007
|
 |
www.JewishTelegraph.com Friday, Nov 9th, 2007
|
 |
Northbrook Star Thursday, Nov 1st, 2007
|
 |
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071027/NEWS/710270537/1001/NEWS0105 Saturday, Oct 27th, 2007
|
 |
Tallahassee Democrat (FL) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
|
 |
Jewish Review (Portland, OR) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
|
 |
The Gazette (Colorado Springs) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
|
 |
The Tennessean (Nashville, TN) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
|
 |
CJN (Cleveland) Friday, Oct 26th, 2007
|
 |
Jewish Exponent Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
|
 |
JTA News Wire Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
|
 |
Towne Crier Online (Wellington, FL) Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
|
 |
The Reporter (Broome County, NY) Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
|
 |
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
|
 |
The Jewish Exponent (Philadelphia) Friday, Oct 19th, 2007
|
 |
thestate.com Monday, Oct 15th, 2007
|
 |
The Atlanta Jewish Times Monday, Oct 15th, 2007
|
 |
Westchester.com Monday, Oct 15th, 2007
|
 |
The Jewish Review Sunday, Oct 7th, 2007
|
 |
The Jewish Review Sunday, Oct 7th, 2007
|
 |
Monday, Aug 20th, 2007
|
 |
Pocono Record Wednesday, Nov 8th, 2006
|
 |
Pocono Record Wednesday, Nov 8th, 2006
|
 |
Daily Camera Monday, Nov 6th, 2006
|
 |
Sun Sentinel Saturday, Sep 16th, 2006
|
 |
Washington Jewish Week Thursday, Mar 30th, 2006
|
 |
Tuesday, Mar 28th, 2006
|
 |
Wrangler News Sunday, Jan 29th, 2006
|
 |
Jewish Exponent Thursday, Dec 29th, 2005
|
 |
The Californian Wednesday, Nov 30th, 2005
|
 |
The Californian Wednesday, Nov 30th, 2005
|
 |
Newday Monday, Nov 28th, 2005
|
 |
Nassau Herald Monday, Nov 28th, 2005
|
 |
Monday, Nov 21st, 2005
|
 |
The Day Wednesday, Nov 2nd, 2005
|
 |
Thursday, Aug 11th, 2005
|
 |
Richmond Times-Dispatch - Dec 11, 2004 Thursday, Dec 30th, 2004
|
 |
Jewish News - Dec 20, 2004 Thursday, Dec 30th, 2004
|
 |
Jewish Learning Institute’s interactive course to apply ancient wisdom to modern issues Thursday, Dec 30th, 2004
|
 |
Friday, Dec 17th, 2004
|
 |
University-level adult education program utilizes text analysis to probe major dramas in the Book of Genesis Sunday, Dec 5th, 2004
|
 |
The Newtown Gazette Thursday, Oct 21st, 2004
|
 |
The Newtown Gazette Thursday, Oct 21st, 2004
|
 |
Friday, Oct 15th, 2004
|
 |
Jewish Reflector - October issue Monday, Sep 27th, 2004
|
 |
Jewish News - Sept. Edition Monday, Sep 27th, 2004
|
 |
Richmond Times Dispatch, Sept. 18, 2004 Monday, Sep 27th, 2004
|
|
|