How to Light Up the World with Meaning

Does anyone care when you are in pain? Does G-d care? Are we alone in our suffering? One of the most devastating aspects of pain and suffering is the isolation—the feeling that no one is out there. When you are weeping, when a child is crying, is anyone else crying with you? And above all, is G-d crying with you? This is a critical question in life because we all face difficult times, setbacks, and losses. When you are in that situation, are you truly alone? Is anyone standing beside you, offering comfort and simply being there to soften the pain? Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this powerful and meaningful talk addressing the question we all ask: "Where is G-d when I cry?" The question is stronger than ever as we find ourselves in these difficult times. With the Middle East on the brink of war and threats and uncertainty looming, have we been abandoned to deal with the chaos alone, or is G-d with us on our journey?

8 Aug 202431min

If ever there was a leadership vacuum, it is now more glaring than ever. The world seems on the edge of a precipice. The Middle East is teetering on the brink of major conflict, with the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and top Hezbollah military figure Fuad Shukr, compounded by the chaos caused by Iran and its proxies. This crisis highlights the stark absence of global leadership. Where are our leaders? Why is no one speaking out? Have you heard any world leader address the crisis, call for action, provide a moral compass -- and present a vision for the future? We are in desperate need of direction. Have you ever seen such a lack of clarity and guidance? In the United States, we are clearly adrift. The current president is compromised, and the next presidential candidates offer little more than vague rhetoric on the major issues, without a grand plan. This presidential campaign is one of the most chaotic and unfocused, driven by polls and media distortions, while the global situation remains highly unstable. Leaders in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere appear just as lost. We need to bring this issue to the forefront. Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as he addresses the critical lack of leadership and explores its causes. It’s time for a grassroots movement that demands true leadership from our current leaders—or, if necessary, paves the way for new leaders who possess the wisdom and courage to guide us toward a better future, to bring us together and create a world that reflects our true potential and destiny.

1 Aug 202423min

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25 Juli 202433min

The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has jolted the nation and the world. Whether you're his supporter or not, the shocking scene witnessed by millions on television—of a 20-year-old with an unknown motive, just a few hundred feet away, shooting at the President's head—has become an iconic image. Many are wondering: was this divine intervention? A small turn of the head, a split second, and the outcome could have been very different. Tragically, one attendee lost his life, and two others were injured. The entire country is now gripped by these scenes. Is this incident a blip on the screen -- another tragic, violent act we see periodically, which in time will become a distant memory, or is this a watershed moment in history? Can and will this shooting change things? Not just for Mr. Trump and the presidential election, but for our society as a whole, and not just temporarily but permanently? Amidst today's social unrest, polarization and unprecedented vitriol, can this fateful event lead to meaningful and decisive change? Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this critical discussion as he presents a case of how Trump's shooting can and should serve as a global wake-up call, and become a defining moment that will shape and create a better future.

19 Juli 202429min

Let's talk about the state of leadership today. Our modern world is blessed in many ways. Unprecedented success and prosperity, breathtaking breakthroughs in science and medicine, revolutionary technology that is dramatically raising our standard of living. The list goes on. Yet we also face many profound challenges. Our society is deeply polarized. We are witnessing a deterioration of personal values, with a foreboding sense of feeling lost at sea, without a clear moral compass to guide us.  At times like this we are in desperate need for leadership.  But where are our leaders? Throughout history, true leadership has been a guiding force, offering direction, instilling confidence, empowering individuals, and helping us tap into our inner resources. Today, there is a stark absence of such leadership. While we all possess innate strengths, the pressures and demands of our subjective lives often blind us to the broader picture. This is why we look to leaders for vision. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in a timely and crucial discussion on the nature of leadership and why our current leaders appear to be failing us. Explore what we can do to change the status quo. When we are unable to impact things from the top down, we need to work from the bottom up -- by us becoming the leaders we seek, and creating standards that demand true leaders to rise.

12 Juli 202430min

With July 4th, Independence Day, upon us, it's a good time to ask: What exactly is freedom and independence? What does it really mean? When the American Founding Fathers declared independence 248 years ago, it was straightforward. They felt the overbearing control of King George of Great Britain and that compelled them to throw off the shackles and declare their independence from that sovereignty. So, is that what freedom means—to not be under someone else's control? Does it simply mean not being in prison? Or is there a deeper meaning? You can be physically free—no shackles, no prison—and still be enslaved to your passions, addictions, your fears and insecurities, and other forces that inhibit your free expression. What about emotional freedom, psychological freedom, spiritual freedom? As a very wealthy individual once told me, "I can do anything I like in this world, but I live in a gilded cage. I am not free. I have no idea why I am here and where my life should be headed." It's important to think about this because it's not just a general or hypothetical question—it’s about who you are. Are you truly free?  Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this special July 4th program to explore the meaning of freedom. Discover ways to free yourself from the many pressures that trap us from realizing your full potential, allowing you to spread your wings, be the best you can possibly be, and reach the heavens and beyond.

4 Juli 202428min

Are you reactive or proactive? Most of us tend to be more reactive, and there are several reasons for this.Firstly, we start our lives as children reacting to our parents—their attitudes, smiles, approval, and disapproval and we mirror their behavior.Secondly, as we grow older, we seek acceptance from our peers, friends, and society. This often leads us to follow others  rather than take initiative. Fear plays a significant role, especially for those who grew up in insecure environments. The fear of potentially failing or facing disapproval, makes us more likely to react cautiously. Being reactive feels less risky.Join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this critical discussion and discover how to become more proactive in your life -- and how that will significantly improve many of your decisions, as well as unleash your great potential, helping you be more successful. Learn methods on how to take control of your life rather than simply reacting to others, which in turn will transform every aspect of your life.

27 Juni 202425min

Do Real Men Cry? There's a pervasive myth that real men don't cry, implying that tears are reserved for women. This notion is not only demeaning, suggesting women are emotional and weak while men are tough and stoic, but it's also untrue. Is vulnerability a weakness? Is expressing emotions wrong? Where did this stereotype originate, and why does our culture view honesty and fragility as problems? Why do we idolize toughness and machismo? What does this say about our society? Our perceptions of men and women, and their roles, are confusing and disturbing. Women are criticized for being too tough when they play by men's rules, and men are told to suppress their emotions. There's much to unpack here. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson in this special program to explore how to reclaim our true masculine and feminine personalities in a healthy way. It's about improving our personal lives, educating our children properly, and ultimately transforming our society.

20 Juni 202430min