Limmud Toronto 2019

Anxiety is a prevalent and significant problem affecting one in five children and teens. Mental health issues, particularly anxiety, lead to physical, cognitive and behavioural difficulties. Often, anxiety issues are undiagnosed or, worse, misdiagnosed. Identifying, understanding and treating anxiety can position a child for growth and success. “Learning to Cope: Uncovering Anxiety and How to Manage It” is a workshop for anyone who lives or works with children and teens. There is help and there is hope for individuals who suffer from anxiety.

My new (not yet published) novel, Yom Kippur in a Gym, follows five random people at a Yom Kippur service that is set in a gym not unlike the one at the Miles Nadal JCC. This book reveals what these five fascinating characters are really thinking about, feeling, and experiencing during Yom Kippur. Each individual is struggling – spiritually, religiously, existentially, emotionally – with a particular issue. These five people are strangers to each other, but because of something that happens during the service, they end up meeting, and have surprising interactions that will affect all their lives.

There are religious, spiritual, and personal issues in this book that will be easy to relate to for anyone who has ever sat in a Yom Kippur service and tried to engage with it in a meaningful way. I will present some of these issues, relating each of them to a character in the book, and will illustrate my points by reading a few brief passages. The first half of our hour together will be a presentation, but the second half will be a discussion with everyone present about the religious and spiritual issues that have been introduced.

When we hear about a death in our family or community, too often we focus on the mourner's obligations according to Jewish law. In this session, we will examine communal obligations toward mourners. In addition, we will spend time focusing on comforting mourners on Shabbat and cases when mourning is cut short due to Festivals.