What's Happening - With Rabbi Levi Jacobson

How Can I Trust Myself?

Dear Rabbi Jacobson, I was married to a man that I loved, the other half of my soul, my beshert, or so I thought. It came as a shock to me when my marriage dissolved - I thought I had found that elusive love, that sense of peace after finding a true partner to live one's life with. My divorce was unexpected and not at all in my life plans. It is now time for me to pick up the pieces and to start to date again, yet my confidence is shattered. What was real? What was true in my life? How can I rebuild trust in my own perceptions and insight? Can I ever trust myself again? Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.

Can My Friendships Survive?

Dear Rabbi Jacobson, What is happening when my friendships begin to fray?  My friendships start off easy, yet don't seem to survive for long. I know I have attachment issues with my mother and I am constantly searching for connection with my friends to fill the void. And yet...while my friendships tend to start off strong, I’ve been noticing a recurring pattern where my friends start to distance themselves and become more avoidant. What is causing my friendships to unravel and how can I finally find a friend who will truly be a friend for me? Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.

Class Reunion

Attending a class reunion can stir up unexpected emotions. Surrounded by familiar faces and impressive accomplishments, it’s easy to compare yourself to your classmates and wonder whether different choices might have led to a “better” life. Rabbi Jacobson assures the questioner that Hashem is the one in control, and that we are all meant to be precisely where we are at this very moment! Rather than compare, it is important to encourage and support our friends and learn from their accomplishments, especially related to spiritual matters. Go enjoy your next class reunion:) Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.

Obsessed With Mental Health

The Jewish world is recognizing the value of wellness and there are many supports that now exist for emotional and psychological well-being. In this episode we question if the focus on mental health can unintentionally encourage over-pathologizing normal challenges and take away opportunities for building resilience. Are we damaging ourselves and our children with our obsession with mental health? Could an overreliance on therapy and diagnoses be limiting our ability to deal with stress? Listen to this episode to find out what Torah and Chassidus have to say about this very important question!  Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.

Bondi Massacre: Are We Victims?

The murdering of Jews in cold blood defies words. The iconic Bondi beach, known for its beachside lifestyle of golden sand and cresting waves, was the scene of a horrific terrorist attack. This episode explores feelings that many Jews worldwide may carry with them. Why does it feel like the whole world is out to get us? Are we safe? Is this new surge of anti-semitism turning us into victims? Rabbi Jacobson, with his sharp candor, insists not. "We are not victims of our circumstances," asserts Rabbi Jacobson, "we cannot allow others to define us." Listen to this episode to receive incredible insight on how to move forward! Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.