Bringing God Into My Relationships

The goal of this seminar is to bring a greater awareness of God into our relationships.

Spiritual growth can be measured by how we behave with others. Are we behaving with greater love, kindness, and patience? Are moments of jealousy stemming from a lack of awareness of our own God-given uniqueness and gifts? Do we realize that not only I, but every human being, is created in the Image of God. How does this awareness affect my behavior?

These sessions provide the venue for taking steps to become a more loving, patient, giving human being. Everyone in their own path; everyone at their own pace.

We strongly suggest facilitating all of the sessions, however if time and group technicalities make this difficult, then we suggest that you choose at least 6 of the topics that most resonate with you – sessions in which the sources, experiential exercises, and personalizing questions pluck a deep and personal chord.

Each session runs between 90 – 120 minutes, depending on the nature of the group and their desire to talk. Ideally, sessions would be weekly, allowing enough time to process and actualize each topic without allowing too much time to pass between meetings.

Each session includes the three Ayeka elements:
• Jewish texts,
• Guided writing exercise,
• Spiritual chevruta questions to help personalize the ideas.

Session #1: Image of God
It is possibly the most audacious expression in the whole Torah – “Image of God”. Who are we? What is our essential nature? The Torah answers: “We are created in the Image of God”. This expression will become the vision and challenge for all of our behavior. How can we fulfill in thought, speech, and action our essential being?

Session #2: Loving all life
“It is out of the question not to be filled with love for every creature, as the light of the blessing of God glows in everything, and everything is the revealing of the beauty of God.” How would I characterize myself with regard to loving people and the world?

Session #3: Loving People
Loving another is considered to be a principle foundation of the whole Torah. Is it an emotion or an action? How does one’s relationship with God affect the ability to love? How would I characterize myself regarding behaving as a loving friend?

Session #4: Loving Difficult People
How can the Torah command us to love, especially when there are so many difficult and exasperating people in our lives? How do you feel about yourself when you become annoyed? Who is the most loving person you know?

Session #5: Jealousy
The first story outside of the Garden of Eden focuses on jealousy. Comparing ourselves to others is the root of all aggression and despair. How would your life be different if you lessened your jealous tendencies?

Session #6: Acts of Kindness
“The Torah begins in an act of kindness and ends in kindness.” The choice of giving or taking reflect our living in the Image of God. How would you characterize your level of kindness?

Session #7: Patience
Jewish law is based on Hillel – not because he was the greatest scholar, but because he epitomized patience and caring. How would your life be different if you were more patient?

Session #8: Tzedaka
“Only through tzedaka will God be established.” Material or non-material tzedaka? Or both? Are you satisfied with your tzedaka practice?

Session #9: Parents
The Talmud equates God and parents. If children do not honor their parents – then there is no place for God in their lives. What is holding you back from having a better relationship with your parents? 

Session #10: Closure
Participants are invited to prepare a few minute presentation describing something they learned from other members of the group, and how participating in this workshop has affected their daily living.