John Hollway and Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz
Philadelphia, PA, February 22, 2019
Co-led discussion on understanding how the 24 VIA character strengths affect wellbeing and how to identify one’s signature strengths.
Links:
Full Schedule:
8:45 Arrival and Registration: 2nd Floor Atrium
Hillel at the University of Pennsylvania
9:15 Welcome: Main Hall
Special Event
9:30 Introduction: “From Survive to Thrive”
Rabbi Darren Levine, D.Min
9:45 Keynote, “The Jewish Heart of Resilience”
Rabbi Deborah Waxman, PhD, President, Reconstructing Judaism
10:15 Coffee, Tea, and Networking: 2nd Floor Atrium Greetings, Naomi Adler, CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia
10:45 Electives in Positive Psychology
PERMA Theory of Wellbeing: Main Hall Learning to increase Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships,
Meaning, and Accomplishment leads to wellbeing and happiness.
Laura Taylor and Rabbi Elisa Goldberg
Science of Gratitude: Room 1 Explore the Jewish understanding of gratitude and why expressing
gratitude leads to greater wellbeing.
Jen Beatty and Rabbi Ira Stone
VIA Character Strengths Inventory: Room 2 Understand how the 24 character strengths affect wellbeing and how to
identify one’s signature strengths
John Hollway and Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz
Positive Communication and Relationships: Room 3 Explore the science of authentic communication to better support
individuals and their relationships at home and work
Lara Kallandar and Rabbi Jacob Staub
Benefits of Mindfulness: Room 4 Knowing how and why mindfulness is a driver of wellness can support
Jewish leaders in developing programs to support individuals of all ages
Tracey Specter and Rabbi Uri Allen
11:45 Workshop Series #1
The Flourishing Synagogue of the 21st Century: Main Hall Learn the theory, practice, and reasons why synagogues can become
centers for human flourishing in the 21st Century
Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz and Rabbi Deborah Waxman
Positive Leadership and Coaching Models: Room 1 Most leaders have a limited view of humility and have yet to realize that
leading from humility allows executives and supervisors to connect
more positively with their teams and inspire their staffs with true
authenticity.
Tali Kurt-Galai
Positive Rituals: Guiding Learners To Discover Meaning Through
Ritual: Room 2 Explore how small shifts in contemporary Jewish education can use
ritual help students and families thrive.
Anna Marx and Dr. Bill Robinson
Positive Youth: The Road To Character: Room 3 Today’s youth report the highest levels of social, academic, and life
pressures than any generation before. Learn how to help today’s youth
build a road to character that draws on their strengths.
Michelle Shapiro Abraham, Rabbi Avi Orlow, Aaron Selkow
Integrating Spirituality and Mental Health : Room 4 Through experiential exercises and case studies, we will provide
concrete tools for mental health professionals to address spirituality in
the healing and recovery of people living with mental health challenges
Rabbi Elisa Goldberg
The Positive School Faculty: Room 5 Exploring models of school faculty engagement to foster a positive
mindset for collaboration and trust
Dr. Evie Rotstein
12:45 Lunch Buffet with Learning Options
Open Seating with friends and colleagues in the Main Hall
Text Study: Mussar, The Discipline of Thriving: Room 2 A thriving life cannot emerge out of chaos. In particular, ethical chaos is
antithetical to thriving. Explore a Jewish approach to thriving through
Mussar, which focuses attention to the traits of character and
relationships with others. Rabbi Ira Stone
Making Mentches Game: Room 3 Come play a game! Making Mentches is the newest game to build
Jewish character as players learn Jewish values and how to navigate
real life scenarios
Michelle Shapiro Abraham and Rabbi Avi Orlow
1:45 Session II Workshops
Positive Judaism Panel: A Thriving Vision for Jewish Living: Main
Hall Learn how these Jewish leaders are actively using Positive Psychology
to revolutionize their organizations, teachings, and leadership Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz, Rabbi Elisa Goldberg, Aaron Selkow,
moderated by Rabbi Darren Levine
Positive Storytelling for Families and Young Children: Room 1 Learn the “Strengths Based Storytelling Method” for educators to learn
how to tell traditional Jewish stories but from a positive strength
paradigm.
Lisa Litman and Chesney Polis
Practicum: Education that Builds Habits for Enacting Values:
Room 2 Enacting Jewish values that build meaningful lives requires more than
learning terms and lingo. Learn practical strategies to encourage a
lifetime of living by values.
Anna Marx and Dr. Bill Robinson
Positive Jewish Engagement for Gen Y Millennials and Gen Z
Centennials: Room 3 We know that Millennials and Centennials are reshaping the 21st
Century. How can the Jewish community best support these generations
with a positive model for communal thriving and individual flourishing?
Rabbi Mike Uram and Jeremy Wilson
Tools for Trauma Healing: From Survive to Thrive: Room 4 Explore how Jewish traditions, rituals, stories, and practices can support
individuals and communities on their path from survive to thrive. Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg
Jewish Spiritual Direction For Mental Health Professionals: Room 5 Explore the intersection between classic therapy models and new
approaches in spiritual direction for individual and group therapy.
Rabbi Jacob Staub
3:00 Research Presentation: Jewish Life and Wellbeing Study David Yaden, MAPP and Jeremy Wilson
4:00 Guided Jewish Meditation Practice
The physical, psychological, and emotional benefits of meditation have
been shown to raise wellbeing among individuals and communities. This
session will present the scientific benefits of meditation followed by a 30-
minute guided practice.
5:00 Cocktail Reception with participants and University Students
5:30 University Community Gathering: "Reflections on Faith and
Wellness" Students and faculty are invited to join Dr. Benoit Dube, Penn’s Chief
Wellness Officer and Rabbi Darren Levine in conversation. They will
host an interactive group experience to explore the pairing of faith and
wellness as a pathway to thriving on campus and in life.
Dr. Benoit Dube and Rabbi Darren Levine
7:00 Farewell