April 29, 2013 | 2:09 pm

Knowing Oneself: The Art of Translation

Posted by Beit T'shuvah

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By Matt Shapiro

“Communication is always an act of translation.” The words ring in my head, lingering. It’s Friday at Beit T’shuvah, and I'm sitting in on a seminar with the Center for Collective Wisdom, discussing organizational spirituality and how to access the deeper wisdom we all share. The discussion continues, but that short sentence continues to provoke further thought. I mull over the concept that I’m always having my own experience, and when I communicate, through words, gestures or, of course, blog posts, I’m attempting to translate an element of that experience to someone else. Translation is also, of course, fraught with error, impossible to be completely accurate and always missing at least some minimal element of the original “document.” Simultaneously, translation is also an act of faith, expressing the hope that though the language might be different, the core message of the original can still be shared and understood.

With those words still echoing, this weekend, a friend of mine came to LA to attend a wedding, and crashed on our futon during his trip. Three years ago, we both lived in Israel for the year, studied together and spent a lot of time exploring Jerusalem and each other’s music collections; the only time I have seen him post-Israel was his wedding. Since then, we have both experienced major changes in our lives, most significantly that we have both become fathers. Going into this weekend, I couldn’t help wondering: “Are we still really friends?” Fortunately, the answer has been an unequivocal yes. We’ve enjoyed catching up and have been completely comfortable with each other, despite the very different parameters of our lives.

It would seem surprising that this is possible- our lives aren’t the same, so aren’t we different too? In one sense, that’s true, but once a translator knows how to move through a text, that skill remains. I’m still able to translate my experiences to him, and vice versa, through the shared language we’ve developed. True, the communication isn’t perfect, but that’s overridden by the joy of recognizing another with whom my internal life can become external, a partner in the experience of sharing selves. “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” I need to have a clear sense of who I am. “If I am only for myself, what am I?” If I don’t make the effort to translate that experience, I will be isolated and alone. “If not now, when?” In each moment, the potential for translation and, in turn, connection is there.

April 26, 2013 | 11:47 am

Honoring Our Mentors: Rabbi Edward Feinstein

Posted by Beit T'shuvah

By Rabbi Mark Borovitz

Last night I had the privilege of being with Rabbi Edward Feinstein at a dinner honoring his 20 years of service to and at Valley Beth Shalom Temple in Encino, California. Ed is my best friend and teacher, Rabbi and mentor. We have a special bond and it was an honor to be asked to write about him for the journal and to be with him, his family and so many friends/congregants to say thanks for the past 20 years and looking forward to the next 40!

What does this have to do with Redemption? Everything! As I was reflecting on Ed’s career as a Rabbi and a person, some powerful images leapt out at me. The Image of Rabbi Yochanan was first and foremost (as I see myself like Resh LaKish).

Ed Feinstein is the person who can see the soul of others and know who, where and how they should be living. Ed is certainly my Rabbi Yochanan! He met me and taught me and inspired me to rise above “ex-con” and “recovering alcoholic” to learn Torah, Talmud and Jewish Literature. Ed has taught a generation of Rabbis how to be a Rabbi. He has spoken all over the country and taught all over the world.

Why am I writing about this? Because of what Ed teaches. Ed teaches about the brokenness of the human being. He teaches and lives this brokenness and he teaches the cure for this brokenness, a life of a Living Torah! Ed brings the stories and lessons of Torah to life and how to live a more (w)holy life through these lessons. For Ed, as for Rabbi Yochanan, Torah is not dull, boring and irrelevant. Torah is alive, vibrant and necessary in order to breath.

Ed Feinstein welcomes everyone into his life, his tent. Ed believes that everyone needs to do T’Shuvah, no one is perfect, not him, not other Rabbis, not anyone. Ed lives a life of redemption by helping others redeem themselves through the Spirit of Torah. He helps all of us redeem ourselves by reminding us that we all belong to him, his shul, the Jewish People and to the world. Ed believes that we CAN NEVER THROW ANYONE AWAY. Ed not only preaches this, he believes it to his core and he lives this way each and every day of his life.

I ask you all to join me in honoring Rabbi Edward Feinstein by redeeming yourself and at least one other person in some way this day.

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April 24, 2013 | 3:59 pm

Translating Ideas into Words

Posted by Beit T'shuvah

By Ben Spielberg

Despite all the propaganda, I never believed that drugs could harm my brain. The egg thrown on a frying pan commercial was too hyperbolic to be realistic, the old Peter Jennings-MDMA-brain-lesions theory was long debunked, and all the writers and musicians I admired spent more time intoxicated than they had sober. I thoroughly read through chemical compositions of my favorite drugs and looked for hints of neuronal death. I found little actual evidence, and I continued using drugs.

It wasn’t until sobriety that I recognized the extent of my memory loss. Blurred experiences became reinforced into virtual non-existence. Faces of people whom I’d met when I wasn’t even using drugs became lost. Recalling any character from a movie was a triumph for me.

Memory is only a part of executive function, but it is very much the foundation of it--the more things one can “hold” at once means that more concepts, ideas, and people can become correlated. One of the major complaints that I’ve heard throughout the past year is the difficulty in translating ideas into words, and feelings into phrases. This is very much the “recall” aspect of memory, in which one is forced to pull into their bank of words and grasp one.

In reality, it may have not been just the drugs that led to my executive dysfunction. It very well could have been my behavior; doing nothing all day does not generally lead to mental stimulation. Luckily, most of these things can come back as one recovers--you just have to think a little harder than before.

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April 23, 2013 | 1:03 pm

Addiction, Prevention, and Spirituality

Posted by Beit T'shuvah

By Michael Soter

Beit T’Shuvah has proven something to the world—that the integration of spirituality into the psyche can prove to be an effective intervention against a range of addictions and the malaise of the human spirit.  

The next logical step is: if spirituality can be an effective intervention, can’t it also be just as effective in terms of prevention?  Yes, it can.  It is my job and the job of everyone in The Prevention Program at Beit T’Shuvah to spread the message of spirituality as a helpful combatant.  We lead panels and discussions, speaking to teenagers who have not had the misfortune of trudging down the path toward destruction.

We go to schools and synagogues all over Los Angeles, Florida, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan—telling everyone who will listen that they do not have to walk the same path as we once did.

Tomorrow, we have an event that will talk about this exact issue.  In conjunction with The Kalsman Institute and Cedars-Sinai’s Week of Learning, Beit T’Shuvah will be hosting an event entitled “Addiction, Prevention, and Spirituality.”  You will hear from Harriet Rossetto, Rabbi Mark Borovitz, Youth Outreach Director Douglas Rosen, and a Prevention employee.  A panel discussion will follow.

The event is being held at Beit T’Shuvah (8831 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90034) from 9-11am.  Please RSVP to Michael Soter at msoter@beittshuvah.org.

Check out this video for all the details.

Addiction, Prevention and Spirituality with Rabbi Mark Borovitz and Harriet Rossetto from Kalsman Institute on Vimeo.

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April 22, 2013 | 8:20 pm

Inner Disconnect

Posted by Beit T'shuvah

By Adam Siegel

Whether one is struggling with addiction or not, living in various states of disconnection has become a hallmark of modern life. Disconnection from our Source leaves us feeling alienated, alone, and afraid. At Beit T’Shuvah, we work to help each other reconnect to oneself, others and Gd. When I’m in a place of disconnection, there’s a persistent inquisitor committed to keeping me separated. He speaks from his own place of disconnection and makes me further question myself.

"Adam!"

"Why do you like giving bullets to your enemies? It takes some creative manipulation to dig yourself into the holes you find yourself. Seemingly, you prefer to swim in the murky bog of reluctance and indecisiveness rather than bask in the radiance of Truth. Even if life appears to be governed by paradox, where the path of righteousness looks to be unwieldy crooked and the path of crookedness looks to be pristinely straight, why can't you figure it out? What's so hard about appreciating the holiness you've been given? Don't you get it? Why is it that when given the opportunity to walk through the doorway of integrity, you plant your feet and let it shut in your face? Doesn't that hurt? Don't you deserve better?"

I've found that getting pulled out of this place generally involves collaboration, usually with others, but sometimes within myself. At these times, the dialogue is about togetherness and teamwork.

"Adam!"

"It seems like you're struggling, I can see it in your face. I know life can be difficult, let's try to figure this out together. We can use all of our talents; let's see how they work with each other. Don't forget we've done this before. Even if the path isn't clear, even if we don't seem to know the exact way, we can work through it. You don't have to do it all by yourself, help can come in many forms. Your spark, your spark of the Divine...we need it, we need you. Actually, we can't do it without you. Come, let us be here, let us dwell in the Holy presence of each other. Let us be here for each other."

Truth be told, often times I'm fooled and end up drawn into a conversation with my inquisitor. Through this I'm reminded how much work is required to pull oneself towards a place of whole-ness. This is a lesson I fight to accept, despite knowing that I'll end up arguing with myself... further disconnected...alienated...alone...and afraid.

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April 19, 2013 | 11:53 am

The Insecurity of Freedom

Posted by Beit T'shuvah

By Rabbi Mark Borovitz

What a week! I woke up to hear about the shoot out with the two suspects in the tragedy of the Boston Marathon. I am struck again by the insecurity of freedom that all of us face, yet most of us don't think about. "In a free society, some are guilty and all are responsible," says Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. These words are ringing in my ears as I read the news updates. The pundits and commentators will be, if they are not already, laying the blame for this tragedy on Government Officials, the President, etc. and the truth is we can't protect ourselves from anyone who wants to cause terror. How many of us are unwilling to accept this truth?

I say this because in order to enjoy freedom, we have to acknowledge that there are people who will take advantage of kindness and use these vulnerabilities against others. The same people who defeated the Gun Bill this week in Congress will use this tragedy as a reason to have more guns, they don't want their freedoms taken away from them, just take freedoms away from "the others!”

What is the answer? I don't know for sure. I know that living in a free society means I have to be more responsible for my actions and the actions of others. I have to keep taking stock of myself each day in my prayers and heal the wounds that I feel and others inflict on me. I have to repair damage I do to others. I have to honor the Tzelem, the God Image, the dignity each of us is born with. I have to help others do the same.

My job, your job, our job is to honor our own Infinite Worth and the Infinite Worth of others. We have to hold ourselves and others responsible to treat ourselves and others with dignity and respect.

We celebrated Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball this week. We are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising today. We honor the people who helped and the Doctors and Nurses who saved and aided the people hurt at the Boston Marathon Bombing. We honor the victims of 9/11, we honor the soldiers who have died throughout our history to make freedom ring. It is our turn and our responsibility to redeem ourselves and others to search for a way of living that makes freedom available to all and as safe as possible to all.

Rabbi Heschel was right in his quote and in the title of one of his books The Insecurity of Freedom. We are all responsible. Responsible to hold the guilty accountable. Responsible to see our own part in creating inequality, hatred, prejudice and in pointing our fingers at others and not looking at our own actions. Responsible to "build a more perfect union…of the people, by the people and for the people"

This is the work, we are the people, LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER!

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April 18, 2013 | 1:58 pm

When Good Kids Do Bad Things

Posted by Beit T'shuvah

By Michael Soter

It is no longer the dropouts and the burnouts that we have to worry about—on every high school campus, there will always be the reckless stoners who sit on the hill and avoid class.  But these students represent just a small fraction of each school.

The kids who have a 4.0 GPA, the kids who take 5 AP classes each year, the kids who volunteer their weekends to serve food at soup kitchens—these are the students who often take wrong turns.  At a local high school, 25 students just got suspended for smoking weed on a school trip in which the students were building houses for the Habitat for Humanity.  What did all of these students have in common?  They were all in ASB, an organization of student leadership.  They were the “good kids.”

I have talked to numerous parents who think that they don’t have to worry about their child.  They say, “My kid gets straight A’s, they’re off to a good university, they got a 2200 on their SAT.  I don’t have to worry about them.  Maybe if they were getting C’s, I would be concerned.”  This is a dangerous parental mindset.  It is often exactly these kids that need the most attention.  They are often watched less closely, precisely because of the fact that, externally, everything looks to be in order.  But left to their own devices, they are still teenagers and they still have the same needs as the stoners, the burnouts, and the dropouts.

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April 16, 2013 | 1:18 pm

Humanity Among Carnage: The Boston Marathon

Posted by Beit T'shuvah

By Michael Welch

Whenever I hear about a tragedy, I ask myself, “What would I do if I witnessed it firsthand?” This is not as selfish as it may seem; I just want to know whether or not I am one of the courageous, kind, and humane people that I always hear about. What is going through one’s head after they finish running 26 plus miles and rush to the hospital to give blood? I would imagine that an event such as yesterday’s bombing would leave many in complete shock, disoriented in thought and action. But yet their legs stay underneath them as they don’t miss a beat in taking on the roll of the helper. If your soul is good, do you help in these situations? There is no training that one could partake in to ready themselves for something like this, thus the human soul must be intact to be a part of piecing back together such mayhem. If a man is compelled to run into an area where a bomb has been detonated and immediately starts making tourniquets and moving on to the next person to assist he must be a tad crazy… right? I think those of us that would share in this piece of insanity would call it sacrifice, and others would call it heroic.

An employer gave his staff the credit by stating; "My coworkers and staff deserve a lot of credit: not one blinked when asked, not one went home when they could— those not working came in to help." This approach to helping those in need eliminates the bureaucratic massage that I feel has come to be the ideal that cultures had begun to adopt. It’s refreshing to see that communities still come together, it reminds me that crazy is good, and most of all allows me to have a part in helping another because I am obligated. If we begin to view this as part of the work in exchange for our existence it removes the question. We no longer are asking ourselves what would we do, we are asking the question of what else can be done.

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