Dear Rabbi Jacobson,

What is happening when my friendships begin to fray? My friendships start off easy, yet don't seem to survive for long. I know I have attachment issues with my mother and I am constantly searching for connection with my friends to fill the void. And yet...while my friendships tend to start off strong, I’ve been noticing a recurring pattern where my friends start to distance themselves and become more avoidant. What is causing my friendships to unravel and how can I finally find a friend who will truly be a friend for me?

Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.

Attending a class reunion can stir up unexpected emotions. Surrounded by familiar faces and impressive accomplishments, it’s easy to compare yourself to your classmates and wonder whether different choices might have led to a “better” life. Rabbi Jacobson assures the questioner that Hashem is the one in control, and that we are all meant to be precisely where we are at this very moment! Rather than compare, it is important to encourage and support our friends and learn from their accomplishments, especially related to spiritual matters. Go enjoy your next class reunion:)

Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.

The Jewish world is recognizing the value of wellness and there are many supports that now exist for emotional and psychological well-being. In this episode we question if the focus on mental health can unintentionally encourage over-pathologizing normal challenges and take away opportunities for building resilience. Are we damaging ourselves and our children with our obsession with mental health? Could an overreliance on therapy and diagnoses be limiting our ability to deal with stress? Listen to this episode to find out what Torah and Chassidus have to say about this very important question!

Thank you for listening! To submit a question or sponsor an episode, please email whathappening.ca.

The murdering of Jews in cold blood defies words. The iconic Bondi beach, known for its beachside lifestyle of golden sand and cresting waves, was the scene of a horrific terrorist attack. This episode explores feelings that many Jews worldwide may carry with them. Why does it feel like the whole world is out to get us? Are we safe? Is this new surge of anti-semitism turning us into victims? Rabbi Jacobson, with his sharp candor, insists not. "We are not victims of our circumstances," asserts Rabbi Jacobson, "we cannot allow others to define us." Listen to this episode to receive incredible insight on how to move forward!

Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.

There is this renewed fear, or panic, that hits us when a new piece of anti-Semitic news is aired. It doesn't matter where in the world it happens, it will always hit us right where it hurts, sowing the seeds of doubt and questioning. "Is this the never again" we promised ourselves? What's Happening to our world and what is the Torah response?

Thank you for listening! To submit a question or sponsor an episode, please email whathappening.ca.

I don't think anyone will ever forget where they were on Hoshana Rabah when twenty of our precious brothers and sisters were released from the monsters of captivity. The joy! The tears! The sheer elation! But....and that's where the mixed emotions come into play. This episode explores complicated feelings surrounding the release of the hostages with honesty and candor and draws from the wisdom of Torah, providing lessons learned for all of us. Rabbi Jacobson explains What's Happening to all of us - even to those who haven't physically experienced the brutality of Hamas.

Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.

How far do we need to go to forgive? Erika Kirk just came out saying she forgives her husband's killer. Is this a Jewish concept? What does Judaism teach us about forgiveness? Forgiveness, a hot topic related to Yom Kippur, seems to be on everyone's mind more then ever. Listen to this episode and come away with a fresh understanding on forgiveness - it will free you...and change your life for the better!

Thank you for listening! To submit a question or sponsor an episode, please email whathappening.ca.

With rising antisemitism, is it safe to stay in Canada? Are other countries safer? Every Jew-hating incident or attack seems to bring on a primordial fear, an existential threat to our very survival. Are these the signs our grandparents missed when they stayed in Europe at the onset of the Holocaust? These questions are addressed in our very first episode of What's Happening?!, where relevant and urgent questions are addressed with the authentic and very relatable style Rabbi Jacobson is known for.

Thank you for listening! To submit a question, please email hello@whathappening.ca.