Lesson 1 If I Have It All, Why Do I Still Feel Something’s Missing?

What do we really mean when we say “my life feels meaningful”? The journey begins with a simple but powerful truth: we feel most alive when we live in alignment with who we truly are. Drawing on the Torah’s metaphor of a tree from Deuteronomy, expanded in Chasidic thought, we’ll explore four core dimensions of the human experience—growth, contribution, giving, and connection—and how nurturing each one helps us live with depth, purpose, and vitality.

Lesson 2 When Life Feels Empty, Where Do We Look for Meaning?

Many people today search for meaning as something that feels inspiring or fulfilling. But Jewish wisdom introduces something even more powerful and lasting: purpose. Drawing from Ecclesiastes, the Tanya, and classic Jewish philosophy, this lesson explores how true purpose is not something we invent, but something we’re entrusted with. It’s an invitation to live for something beyond ourselves—a Divine mission that gives direction and unity to every part of our lives.

Lesson 3 Can the Ordinary Moments of Life Be Truly Extraordinary?

We often assume that meaning lives in the extraordinary—in grand gestures or spiritual moments. But Judaism teaches the opposite: everything we do can hold deep significance. Drawing on insights from Proverbs, Jewish mysticism, and timeless ethical teachings, this lesson reveals how even daily work, household tasks, and personal struggles can become pathways to holiness. Meaning doesn’t wait for special occasions—it’s right there in the small, ordinary moments of our lives.

Lesson 4 The Rhythm of Time and the Search for Balance

Modern life tends to view time as a monotonous blank canvas for us to fill with whatever color we choose. Judaism, however, insists that time has texture and significance. This lesson explores how the Jewish calendar—with its daily, weekly, and annual cycles—creates meaningful rhythms that assign different spiritual energies to different moments. We examine the mystical dimensions of the Jewish calendar and what it truly means to “live with the times.”

Lesson 5 The Growth You Never Chose, but Always Needed

Not every moment of meaning comes from what we plan. Sometimes it’s found in what we never expected. Through the lens of Jewish mysticism and Divine providence, we’ll explore how even challenges and detours can reveal hidden purpose. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen to me?” we’ll learn to ask, “What can I do with this?” Every experience, pleasant or painful, can become part of a greater story of growth and faith.

Lesson 6 The Gift of Being

This final lesson challenges everything we’ve explored by posing a fundamental question: Does life have meaning even when I’m not actively doing anything? Many philosophies link human value directly to productivity or output. Jewish spirituality offers a radically different foundation: Every person possesses inherent worth simply by virtue of existing. This lesson explores the philosophical and psychological implications of being created in G-d’s image. It helps students internalize the profound truth that their worth is not earned through achievement but is inherent to their very being, establishing the bedrock for more stable self-worth and deeper enthusiasm in their pursuit of meaning.