October 6th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
Sometimes when you feel down
And you’re looking for something to lift you up,
But there’s nobody around
So what is the treasure that has to be found.
If I look at negative feelings that have dominated
My past or the people that have wronged me,
Or the love that did not last — so what is
The solution to the things we cannot see.
Are you aware of what you’re doing
To be the way you want to be,
Is it really that important to express the way we feel
But how do we express it in ways that make it real.
It might be very valid to relieve
Ourselves of stress,
perhaps it is the answer
If it leads to happiness.
But when you’re basing your opinion
On what you think is true,
If it’s not very valid
It could never be right for you.
If you see it with your eyes
and your look is very clear,
You’ll know exactly what is happening
So there’s really no need to fear.
So when you’re in the present
RIGHT NOW IS WHAT YOU SEE
And then you look at feelings to tell you how to be
Before you look at feelings
AWARENESS IS THE KEY.
If it’s happening as you see it
Then that’s how it should be.
You’ll try to be objective
Complaining isn’t cool
Shining light on darkness
is your greatest tool.
So what do I do
when temptation is so strong
Can I do what is right
and stop doing what is wrong.
Can I make a commitment
and stick to a plan
Even though my temptation says
there’s no way that you can.
So when you’re in the present
RIGHT NOW IS WHAT YOU SEE
And then you look at feelings to tell you how to be
Before you look at feelings
AWARENESS IS THE KEY.
If it’s happening as you see it
Then that’s how it should be.
You will see a big difference
in the way you want to feel
And then you will know
THAT THIS IS WHAT IS REAL
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September 24th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
The mind is very fickle
Your thoughts can change so fast,
It’s hard to know where it will go
It can be quite a task.
Thinking is a problem
Your thoughts may not be kind,
And when desire hooks you
It puts pressure on your mind.
But desire can be wrong
If dissatisfaction is what you feel,
Perhaps your mind is telling you
That this is not what’s real.
And if it really feels uncomfortable
And it’s very hard to do,
If you try to do it anyway
Perhaps it could turn out meaningful to you.
The positives and negatives
Will always blind your mind
But when you look at everything
What you seek is what you’ll find.
When you change a negative into a positive
You celebrate and shout
And when you make that effort
That’s what happiness is all about.
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September 15th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
Everybody is looking for some form of success. In other words – to be able to move forward in life. So what are the reasons that block us from moving forward?
Laziness—we like to take it easy and stay in our comfort zone. Very often, we don’t want to miss out on something that gives us pleasure and temporarily makes us feel good. We don’t like to do something different and experience discomfort and dissatisfaction.
If we enjoyed something in the past, we expect that past experience to continue to satisfy our needs. However, one of the things that human beings love is acceptance. When you recognize and validate someone, you’re lifting that person up to a higher level and at the same time it’s building up your confidence and self-esteem.
So when you dare to try something new and different, suddenly you will recognize and acknowledge your fear and discomfort. By seeing this discomfort, where you are actually moving out of your comfort zone, you actually have an opportunity to experience dissatisfaction and to realize that sometimes what you think is awful, terrible, unpleasant, not exciting or fun, could turn out to be very rewarding for you.
Discomfort means that something is happening and you have an opportunity to grow. However, when you run away from discomfort, you’re actually closing your mind to greater experiences and new opportunities because of fear.
You have to connect to a voice inside of you that is beyond the voice of fear. The question is: are you willing to experience dissatisfaction?
The most important thing is to react in a new way. Whatever you want to do is your flaming desire—quick thrills and speedy passions. That’s what you have to go against. Doing things that you don’t feel like doing sometimes makes the suffering disappear.
Start to observe yourself, especially when you’re giving yourself excuses. We often correcting ourselves—we’re not correcting anybody else. Try to approach people with a positive attitude. Find something good to say about them. Compliment them and try to make the other person feel important and special, even though you may not like the way they’re behaving.
By doing this, you’re automatically building up your confidence and self-esteem. The feeling of discomfort and frustration are the openings to new horizons. We see discomfort as being annoying – something you don’t want to do. However, in truth, it’s actually a step into a greater place.
The feelings of dissatisfaction are the beginning of a spiritual awakening. So the first step in building any type of courage is to do something you’re not comfortable doing. The question is can you turn that awakening into a higher state of awareness and consciousness—and when you do that, you will overcome that fear which is the enemy of success.
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September 7th, 2026
Dear Friends,
As we stand once again at the threshold of a new Jewish year, we pause to reflect on the year behind us—and on the world we find ourselves living in.
This past year has been a year of extraordinary turbulence. War and uncertainty have continued to affect Israel, the Jewish people, and communities around the world. Antisemitism has intensified. Many are carrying anxiety, grief, and exhaustion. And at the same time, technology and artificial intelligence are transforming our lives at a pace we have never experienced before. Disruption defines the mood of our times.
In the midst of all this, one question becomes more urgent than ever:
How do we remain grounded, hopeful, and purposeful when the world around us feels anything but certain?
Perhaps there is no more powerful reminder of that question than the unusual convergence we face this year: The eve of Rosh Hashana begins on September 11; a day when “the world trembled and was reborn”—a day that reminds us of vulnerability, loss, and the devastating impact one moment can have on countless lives. At the same time, 25 years later, downtown Manhattan has been rebuilt and the destruction has turned into tremendous growth.
Rosh Hashana is precisely the day when we are asked to look forward.
To reflect, but not remain stuck in the past.
To remember, but also to rebuild.
To acknowledge what has been, while believing in what can still be.
That is the deeper message of a Jewish New Year. We are not simply turning the page on a calendar. We are being given the opportunity to renew ourselves—to reconsider who we are, what matters most, and what kind of world we want to help create.
This has been at the heart of our work at the Meaningful Life Center this year. (See a summary of this year’s MLC impressive achievements below.)
In a world struggling with anxiety, division, loneliness, and uncertainty, we have intensified our efforts to provide an unwavering voice of clarity, strength, compassion, and meaning. Through our classes, articles, global broadcasts, counseling, publishing, and growing digital and AI initiatives, we have worked to make timeless Jewish wisdom universally accessible to anyone searching for guidance and hope.
And we have seen again and again that people are searching—not merely for information, but for meaning. Not simply for answers, but for wisdom that helps them live with greater courage, connection, and purpose.
As we enter a new year, our commitment is stronger than ever: to bring light where there is darkness, meaning where there is confusion, healing where there is pain, and empowerment where there is despair.
But we cannot do this alone. You are part of this mission. Your partnership makes this work possible. Together, we can transform this moment of uncertainty into an opportunity for renewal.
May this Rosh Hashana bring healing to those who are hurting, peace to Israel and the world, strength to our communities, and renewed purpose to each of us.
With heartfelt gratitude and blessings,
Rabbi Simon Jacobson
P.S. As we enter the new year, your partnership is more vital than ever. Please give generously so that we can continue to be a voice of clarity, hope, and healing in an unsettled world.
DONATE NOW
Tags: current events, global, Coronavirus
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September 7th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
When I think about my life
And all the mistakes I have made,
Why is it so hard to correct myself
Without being afraid.
It is true there is pleasure
And enjoyment in what I see,
But if I’m not showing improvement
Then how could this be right for me.
And when I could see all those faults
That are coming right towards me –
inside my mind
I will describe exactly what I see.
So when you’re in the present
no need for asking why,
It’s happening as you see it
Right before your eye.
If it’s really that important to observe
A weakness that I see,
Can that be the answer
to the way I want to be.
I have to feel proud
that I conquered a fear,
Something I could not do
year after year.
So when I’m tempted
and attacked for my lust,
I really have to say that
observing myself is a must.
Will that make me proud
if my vision is clear,
If it’s happening as I see it the only thing that could stop me
is yielding to fear.
So if I can make an effort to confront
Going against that tempting mind,
There is absolutely no doubt
That happiness I will find.
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August 31st, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
Do you know how to communicate effectively in a healthy way? Communication lies in the heart of all relationships. How do you build healthy, enduring, and empowering relationships? How do you build a trusting relationship with another person?
We don’t trust easily because we feel someone wants something from us. Can we discover another way of looking at ourselves— instead of expecting the other person to satisfy our need. And every time you expect something from somebody, you’re setting yourself up to be disappointed.
So can we look at that other person in a positive way with no expectations, and is it possible to connect and have a healthy attachment with that person?
Good communication is good listening. It’s not what you say—it’s how you listen. Getting yourself out of the way. And creating space for another is important.
So how do you inspire others? You have to show others that you’re interested in their needs, their desires, and when you show them that you care about what’s important to them, it opens up their heart and they will feel more comfortable being with you.
Because you are showing them that not only you are respecting their needs, desires, and wants—but they actually see that you care about what’s important to them. And In turn, you are motivating them to have a closer relationship with you, where trusting their judgment is becoming increasingly more important than expecting others to satisfy your needs.
And when you have an element of sincerity, integrity, and honesty in your actions, you will be inspiring them to feel more comfortable and open with you.
What you really want is to establish trust—but trust has to be earned. Sharing a personal experience and having empathy and empowerment will absolutely make the other person feel more comfortable being with you.
When others understand and realize that you know exactly what is going on and you are willing to give your full support in a positive way—and by listening to the human condition with empathy and empowerment—then others will know that you are trying to establish trust and a deeper connection with them.
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August 24th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
When I find a lovely person
I will know that she’s for me
She will make me feel much better
And those feelings I will see.
I will think about her often
She will never leave my mind
And what I will remember
That she’s sweet and very kind.
I will love her – oh yes, I will love her
She will make me want to say
That I’m grateful and I’m so lucky
‘Cause that love is here to stay.
When I get up in the morning
And my eyes just want to see
That lovely caring person
That is waiting there for me.
I just want to hug and kiss her
And to hold her very tight
And to show her how I really feel
So she knows that it’s alright.
And I know that it will happen
I will find that love one day
And when that love comes in my heart
I will know just what to say.
And my feelings will just tingle
And I know what love will bring
And I’ll feel so very happy
It will make me want to sing.
I will love her—oh yes I will love her
She will make me want to say
That I’m grateful and I’m so lucky
‘Cause that love is here to stay.
I will need her and she will need me
And together we will feel
We’ll feel happy that we’re together
And to know our love is real.
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August 18th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
What is this thing called loneliness and what can we do to improve our lives and turn it into a positive force? It all comes down to how we experience our lives. Each of us need to feel special—so how do we bring out that uniqueness that others do not have?
You’re unique in your strengths—not in your weaknesses. The goal is to get people to see their uniqueness and connect with the uniqueness you have. How do we do it? You have not only the things you like about them—you love the things you don’t like about them. That’s where humility, dignity, and integrity come in. You love people for the way they are, even though they don’t think the way you do, even though you don’t see it the way they see it.
Uniqueness is what makes you who you are—even if you don’t understand others. You could benefit from your uniqueness and other people’s uniqueness. The deeper you connect to your uniqueness, the deeper you connect to others.
People who are not secure with their own position are not secure with others. We don’t have to feel another person’s loneliness, but since we recognize the uniqueness in us, so then we can connect with the uniqueness in others. That’s the magic of what real love is about—you don’t just love somebody because you have something in common with them. You also love that which you don’t have in common.
It’s celebrating with someone who you are and who they are, and you love people for the way they do things differently than you. If they do things exactly like you, that’s not what you’re looking for in real love. We have to not be afraid of being unique. I Don’t see things the way they see it—however, when you know yourself that well, you could connect with others and then your uniqueness can celebrate with other people’s uniqueness.
You want to be able to embrace your individuality with other people’s individuality. What does feeling alone really say about your spirituality? It makes you aware of your uniqueness—how special you really are—and it wants you to be you, and it wants you to celebrate yourself with others.
Even if one doesn’t understand the other, each one complements, respects, and appreciates the other. That’s what real beauty is. Each of us are unique in our own way, but we celebrate each other.
You are unique and special and that’s what should make you connect with others that are unique. You don’t fight darkness just by stopping it – you bring light into the picture to dispel darkness by being positive and compassionate. And when you become aware of your strengths and you act upon them, you’ll be surprised what kind of changes will automatically come into your life.
By finding something nice to say—complimenting and making others feel special is important in fighting darkness.
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August 11th, 2026
by Sy Dorfman
It’s never too late to change my old way
Will I do it tomorrow or should I do it today.
So what do I do when my spirit is so low
If I do something uncomfortable, will that make my spirit grow?
But then I’m missing out on pleasures that make my day bright
So how do I weaken that habit to make my day seem right.
Let me push it away and enjoy a good time
But what happens when it’s over and I find out that the pleasure isn’t mine.
If it’s really that important to observe a weakness that I see
Can that be the answer to the way I want to be.
I have to feel proud that I conquered a fear
Something I could not do year after year.
So when I am tempted and attacked for my lust
I really have to say that observing myself is a must.
Will that make me proud if my vision is clear?
If it’s happening as I see it the only thing that could stop me is yielding to fear.
So if I can make an effort to confront going against that tempting mind
There is absolutely no doubt that happiness I will find.
As a result I will see a big difference in the way I want to feel
And then I will know that THIS is what is real.
Tags: freedom, hunger
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August 4th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
It’s easy to love when you haven’t been challenged. A true test of love is when you feel vulnerable and there’s risks involved and it’s not all under your control.
A true relationship requires that each person remains an individual, distinct, unique—and at the same time there is a closeness and an intimacy and a love between them. On one hand, it requires two individuals to respect each other’s feelings—even though you don’t agree with it.
When you really respect someone else, you respect their positions, their opinions, you respect their needs. It may be different than your own needs. It’s a sense of respect beyond you that you find in another person—that you may disagree with. That is critical for a relationship to be healthy—maintaining boundaries and respecting the individuality of the people involved.
And then you have to have the closeness of coming together. When you really love someone in a healthy way, there’s a certain element that you’re drawn to that is beyond your usual tolerance, and you’re willing to see things from their standpoint. Their self-interest and emotional needs are different than yours.
On one hand, we want to control everything in our lives, including love—but love can’t be controlled if it’s going to be healthy. It’s precisely its mysterious nature that makes it love—where you don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s unexpected.
And it’s about experiencing that enchantment with another person. If it’s all mapped out, and your completely in control of it It’s not going to be what love is -as a matter of fact. All love dies when it begins to be controlled like that.
You may not like something-so it’s about embracing in a way that’s clear of control. The more you pursue love, the less you will access it. So what should you be doing that allows love to emerge inside of you and your soulmate?
It’s a question of what’s important to both of you and what do you dedicate yourself to that will allow these more eternal feelings to emerge. It’s not about what you’re in the mood to do—even if you’re overwhelmed, uncomfortable, dissatisfied, disappointed. You do it whether you’re ready or not.
You try to get yourself to a place where you feel confident and positive. That commitment you make carries you in times when you are weak. That commitment keeps you strong and carries you in times when you are weak. That commitment keeps you strong and carries
A true commitment will carry you and hold you up in times of need.
The more you are aware, the more you accept people for the way they are, the more you try to compliment people and raise them to a higher level—the more it will make you feel confident, important, and special.
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