The Benefits of a Jewish Life Coach
The Benefits of a Jewish Life Coach
The Federation and its community partner Midwest Torah Center are pleased to introduce a new program called MIND FIT—a one-on-one learning session with a study partner designed for Jewish retirees. Click here for more info.
Sometime in the 1980s a “new” profession developed called, “life coaching.” A life coach is a wellness professional who helps people make progress in their lives, aiming for greater fulfillment. They assist clients in improving relationships, careers, and day-to-day experiences. The life coach applies his or her wisdom and experience to help others solve problems and issues they are having in navigating their life. However, as King Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.” (Koheles 1:9) In fact, the Jewish people have been using life coaches for thousands of years. These life coaches could be called a rabbi, sage, chacham, or rebbetzin, but the common denominator is they all functioned as life coaches. The other thing unique to these life coaches was that their wisdom came from the traditions and teachings of G-d and His prophets.
Throughout the ages, the Jewish people have often been described as “the people of the book.” The simple and most obvious reason for this is the strong and eternal bond between the Jews (the people) and the Torah (the book), which includes both the written and oral traditions, and all the works that expound upon them. We believe that the lessons of the Torah are timeless and can be applied in all situations. The great sage Ben Bag Bag states in Ethics Of The Fathers (5:22) that one should plumb the depths of the Torah again and again since all wisdom is contained therein. The challenge is knowing which pearl of wisdom answers which of life’s many questions.
Thus, throughout the centuries, Jews from all over the world have turned to those “life coaches” who were proficient in the knowledge and teachings of the Torah to help them navigate the maze known as life.
As I start my 3rd year as the rabbi of the Midwest Torah Center, I have become more and more amazed at how the Jewish community of Michiana thirsts for knowledge and growth. The ability to engage in stimulating discussion, obtain a greater understanding of the wisdom of the Torah, and apply it to life’s questions is something that appeals to most people I meet. In light of this, I’d like to apply my half-century of life experience, and over 30 years of Torah study and Jewish education to develop a program that would provide the Jews of Michiana an opportunity to have a “Jewish life coach.”
Although this program can be utilized for people of all ages, there will be an additional focus on retirees. As we age there is a greater need to exercise all our muscles, so we remain as fit as possible. This is also true and maybe even more so as it relates to exercising our brain. The more we involve ourselves in intellectual pursuits, the stronger our minds will be. Much like a “personal trainer,” the Jewish life coach also serves as a “personal trainer of the mind.”
The benefits of meeting, every so often, with a trained Rabbi to have an intellectually stimulating discussion as to how the Torah’s wisdom can be applied to our lives has so many advantages. Questioning, learning, getting a better understanding of the wisdom of the Jewish tradition can help in improving relationships, one’s day-to-day experiences, and keeping one’s mind fit.
Rabbi Elie Ginsparg
Midwest Torah Center
Rabbi Elie Ginsparg joined Midwest Torah Center as acting Rabbi in September 2022. He was installed as the full time Rabbi in July 2023. Rabbi Ginsparg moved to South Bend in 2016 and continues to teach Jewish Law in a local high school. Prior to moving to South Bend, Rabbi Ginsparg taught high school and worked in Jewish outreach in Chicago. Rabbi Ginsparg has a Master's in Education from Loyola University Chicago. He received Rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Shlomo Morgenstern while doing post-graduate learning for 13 years at Hebrew Theological College in Chicago. Rabbi Ginsparg has authored 6 books on Jewish Law and Talmud and has written several other articles published in various Torah Journals. He and his wife Sari have been married for 27 years, have a married son, and 6 other children.
Learning is a lifelong endeavor and for many older adults, it is an important part of how they choose to age.
The Jewish Federation and its community partner Midwest Torah Center are pleased to introduce a new program called Mind Fit—a one-on-one learning session with a study partner designed for Jewish retirees. This individually tailored learning experience is set to accommodate your individual needs and tastes.
Mind Fit can be a fun and rewarding adventure. Personalized sessions are held either weekly, twice a month, or once a month, at a time and location best for you. A typical Mind Fit session is 30 to 45 minutes.
Much like a personal trainer, you’ll meet with a learned rabbi. For thousands of years, Jewish learning has always been relational where two individuals explore a text or concept by asking questions and sharing opinions.
The beauty of this paired conversation is that it provides a Jewish framework to engage in discussion, idea-sharing, and intellectual jousting on any Jewish subject of your choice. Whether you seek to connect to our rich history or to channel this ancient wisdom into your daily life, this personalized journey to explore your Judaism will foster deeper and more meaningful learning.
It’s your place. Your time. Your interests. For more information, call Rabbi Ginsparg at (847) 644-4115 or email eginsparg@yahoo.com.