The Why and How of Thriving: Conference Resources

On this page you will find a number of key resources from The Why and How of Thriving in Jewish Education retreat that was held May, 2019, including documents from our three hands-on learning experts. If you have any questions, please email Rabbi Jennifer Goldsmith at jgoldsmith@jewishedproject.org. 

The PDFs listed below are also available in a Google folder (you do not need to sign in) in case you want to access them that way or add them to your own Google Drive.

Our next Thriving Retreat: Grit. Empathy. Gratitude. will take place June 1-3, 2020. Learn more and register.

Lastly, be sure to check our Resource Guide on Thriving which we are continually updating.
 

Thriving Tools and Activities

• Thriving Human Bingo Activity
  This document describes one of the ice breakers used to help people get to “break the ice” and begin to form connections to get to know each other.

• Who are you? A 4-Square Question Activity
  This is a great ice breaker used during our opening evening. Participants break up into small groups and get to answer a question of their own choice. Questions allow participants to open up at whatever level they feel comfortable.

• PERMA Spotting
  Used throughout the retreat, this document allows you to assess any learning experience you’ve had through the lens of PERMA.

• Emoji Zones Activity
  One important dimension to thriving is self- awareness.  These emoji activities help our learners become more self-aware by taking their pulse. Circle the emoji that best describes where you are at the moment and write a sentence describing why it suits you. 

• Take Your Pulse Document Activity
  This is a document which we used at the conference to help participants articulate how they are feeling during the day using different emojis. You can use this document with your learners, staff, parents etc.
   

Conference Presentations and Materials:

• Thriving Definitions
  A concise “cheat sheet” with definitions of terms and terminology used in Positive Psychology.

• Thriving Conference: Welcome and Framing Slides
  These slides helped set the stage for the retreat offering our working definitions for thriving and thriving Jewishly in addition to connecting this new paradigm to Jewish tradition.

• Positive Thinking
  This presentation provides an overview of Positive Psychology, Gratitude and Gemilut Hasadim with Jewish sources and stories, practical adaptable activities for all ages. 

• From Surviving to Thriving: Cultivating Self-Awareness, Resilience, Empathy, and Wholeness through Jewish Mindfulness Practice
  Presentation and activities geared to help the learner not only surviving but Thrive.  Techniques are provided to cultivate Self-Awareness, resilience, empathy, and wholeness through Jewish Mindfulness Practice to promote Thriving.  

• Amplifier Giving Circle Guidebook
  This Guidebook walks you through the process of participating in a giving circle.  You can use this tool to create your own pop-up giving circle with a group of learners.