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Parashat Bo (Reflections for Jami’s Mental Health Shabbat)

This weekend synagogue’s around the country will be taking part in Jami’s Mental Health Shabbat. This is an important opportunity for Jewish communities - for our community - to raise the profile of mental health. Good mental health is something upon which all humanity depend; as a group or an individual we can only flourish with good awareness of, and tactics for looking after, our minds. When I was younger mental health was not something commonly spoken about, particularly in public, but thankfully times have changed. I feel comfortable speaking with family, friends and others about their challenges with mental health and likewise, comfortable sharing my own struggles and successes too. Indeed, speaking with others is perhaps the first and most vital step to addressing one's own battles with mental health. It is through our conversation and interactions with others that we realise we are not alone in our struggles and may find support, camaraderie and methodology in addressing...
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7 Moments Where Jewish & Other UK Faith Leaders United

As news & social media feeds bombard us with conflict, here are 7 moments to remind us of our shared humanity . 1 Buckinghamshire Faith Leaders from Bahá'í, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Quaker communities highlighting their mutual friendships and values Click here to read more 2 This gathering of Jewish and Muslim Women who are fighting fight for safety & empathy Click here to read more 3 Archbishop Justin Welby, Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg calling for solidarity and unity between communities in the UK, and rejecting any form of hatred or discrimination. Click here to read more 4 Maidenhead Faith Leaders Imam Abid Hashmi, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain and Reverend Sally Lynch coming together to foster peace and encourage good relations between the communities amid the Israel-Hamas war Click here to read more 5 This Raw and Honest Conversation Between Two friends - a Rabbi and an Imam Click here to read more 6 The Jewish and Muslim Groups Acknowled...

Rabbi Nachman's Mantra

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov would chant the following mantra:  “Ribono shel Olam”.  Whilst we often translate “olam” as “universe” or “world” the Hebrew root connects to notions of “concealment” and “hiddenness”.  Therefore, we might understand “Ribono shel Olam” as meaning  “Sovereign of that which is Hidden”.  Chanting this mantra can be a humbling experience as it draws one's attention to the limitations of their own knowledge.  No matter how much I know, there will always be more for me to discover. Over the course of my lifetime I will only reveal a tiny fraction of all that is even theoretically knowable.  With this in mind I must use my time wisely, in order to reveal a singular truth:  That everything in existence is connected.  That everything has within it the Divine spark!