Positive Judaism: An Open Letter to Tamid

Rabbi Darren Levine Headshot 2012Positive Judaism: A First Glance
An Open Letter to Tamid and The Jewish Community,
January 5, 2017

From Rabbi Darren Levine, D.Min

 

Dear Friends,

I’d like your help. For a few years now, I have been working out the theory and practice of Positive Judaism – a new vision for those that are serious about improving their individual lives, their families, and their communities through Jewish living. In my own life, I’ve been searching for a new language to express how to live a spiritual life within a Jewish framework that expands the mind, deepens personal character, strengthens community, improves the world, and adds joy and optimism to everyday living.

As a parent, rabbi, and educator, I’ve witnessed in your lives and my own the deep commitment to Jewish identity but the struggle at times to find a real connection to the traditional ways into prayer, holiday observance, Torah study and to God. We want Judaism part of our lives but we want something richer and more meaningful than the Jewish practice and thought of the 20th Century. We all know that life is complex and challenging and we need a new language for Judaism that clearly articulates a way to enhance our lives in everything we do and everything we are.

Positive Judaism answers the question, “why be Jewish?” For people who are seeking to enhance their personal well-being, for leaders who are seeking to have a relevant and positive impact on the lives of their members, and for congregations seeking have a positive impact on their larger community, Positive Judaism has language that will help you find a compelling answer to the question: “why be Jewish?”

While ancient Jewish texts teach that God chose the Jewish People, in the 21st century it is the People that will or will not choose to be Jewish. It’s not enough to glorify Judaism and the benefits of living a Jewish life. Historical memory, Israel, the threat of anti-semitism and are not strong enough motivators for Jewish engagement. We need something new and serious and Positive Judaism is one new construct.

These new ideas for Jewish Living can be applied to how people: Experience prayer, Shabbat and Jewish holidays; pray and find relevance in Jewish life-cycle events; find deep meaning in observing Jewish values like tukkun olam (repairing the world) and tzedakah (charity and righteousness); frame and transmit stories from the Torah and teach Jewish history; parent and live as a Jewish families across multiple generations; engage in shared inter-cultural gatherings and approach communal politics; approach personal and communal struggle, tragedy, and loss; and feel connected to personal Jewish identity in a positive way.

Positive Psychology + Positive Judaism: A Great Shidduch (pairing)

Positive Judaism draws up traditional Jewish thought and practice and the theory and teachings of Positive Psychology. Positive Psychology deals with optimal living, well-being, and happiness – so does Positive Judaism. It is a framework for Judaism that approaches Jewish practice, Jewish community, and Jewish philosophy from a unique perspective: Optimal living and well-being.

I was drawn to Positive Psychology during my doctoral studies as a theory that I believed could help me articulate one of my major dilemmas as a rabbi: how to address the negativity in Jewish life – real and perceived – that arise from: historical rejection and destruction (Holocaust, pogroms); political and social threats (anti-semitism, anti-Israel); guilt and shame (“do more/don’t let the candle burn out”). Such negative experiences/attitudes/ideas naturally lead a person to be pessimistic and cynical about Judaism. People have enough pressure, stress, and insecurity in the 21st century global world, why would they elect to add more negativity? After all, at the heart of most Jewish holidays, ritual practices, prayer, and philosophy is optimism and idealism, not pessimism and hopelessness. Positive Judaism brings attention to the virtues that enhance life and that are at the core of the science of well-being:

Wisdom: Open-minded, curious, creative, love of learning
Courage: Bravery, persistence, integrity, resilience
Humanity: Love, kindness, social intelligence
Justice: Citizenship, fairness, leadership
Temperance: Forgiveness, mercy, humanity, self control
Transcendence: Appreciation of beauty, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality

Each named virtue and characteristic has corresponding Jewish values, biblical teachings, and Jewish practices to understand the virtue in a Jewish context. When experienced by an individual or community, the impact will be increased positive emotion, increased communal engagement, improved relationships, and accelerated human advancement. People and communities will be more confident, optimistic, open to diversity, able to learn lessons from hardship, experience work as a calling, act and think with purpose, contribute and help, appreciate family and friends, and act generously.

Next step: Study with me.  I’d like to study with you a sample of Jewish stories and teachings that speak to the ideas of inspired living and well-being. This is an open invitation to join me one Friday each month from January to June, 2017. You are welcome to come to all or pick and choose as each session will stand alone.

The study sessions will take place at Tamid from 9AM to 10:15AM. Please RSVP to Christina ([email protected]) so we know to expect you, as always, friends are welcome.

Jan 27: “Inspired Living : Wisdom and Love of the Psalms and Proverbs”
Feb 17: “When Living Hurts: Facing Life with Bravery and Resilience”
Mar 17: “Caring for the Self: Personal Transformation and Change”
Apr 21: “Justice Justice you Shall Pursue: The Journey of Freedom”
May 12: “To Forgive is to Love: Letting Go of Limitations”
June 9: “Open to Hope: The Spirituality of Gratitude and Welcome”

If you have any ideas for me, suggestions or experience that could help, or would like to serve as a reader to sections of the book as they become available, I would value your input. Please contact me directly at [email protected].

With hope and gratitude and to your well-being,

Darren