Participants from last years Impassioned Emunah Weekend Seminar are still raving about the luxurious and inspiring experience had by all. The weekend, attended by over 400 people, had a simple goal – to inspire and educate its participants to ignite an impassioned emunah. Graced with world-renowned lecturers, the event was filled with powerful speeches, intriguing panels, and dynamic question and answer sessions. The man behind this event, Rabbi Shaya Cohen, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Zichron Aryeh and the Founder and Director of Priority-1, has been a trailblazer in the world of chinuch for over 40 years. We sat with him to learn more about this seminar and to discuss what projects he is currently working on.
RABBI SHAYA COHEN:
When looking around at our communities, one fact becomes clear. Klal Yisroel is flourishing. Our cities are blossoming, we have built incredible mosdos hachinuch, and the population of bnei torah is growing exponentially. Against all odds we have become the establishment. Everything seems perfect; however, the truth is that, without constant chizuk, our success is not guaranteed. Without proper care we cannot assume that our children will follow in our footsteps.
Every day I encounter people, from young teenagers to adults with families, who have lost their passion for yiddishkeit. They may spend large amounts of money on performing the mitzvos, and they may even have gone to the finest yeshivos, however, deep down, they have lost their connection the Ribbono Shel Olam. They are performing mitzvos by route, their yiddeshkeit transformed into a sterile and empty shell.
What is the key to unlocking these lost neshamos?
The answer is simple: impassioned emunah. We know intellectually that Hashem is running the world and guiding our lives, but unless that knowledge seeps into our core, permeates our existence, and fills every waking moment of our lives, we are not truly living. The heart is a fickle organ, and without work, it can be difficult to build a proper relationship with the borei olam. After dealing with hundreds of people that needed help, it became clear to me that a seminar of this nature was a vital necessity.
Baruch Hashem, the seminar was successful beyond our wildest hopes. The energy was palpable, and each participant walked away with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose. A central theme throughout the Shabbos was recognizing and internalizing that Hashem loves us and is actively guiding every facet of our existence. By looking for the yad Hashem leading us each day and directing our lives we open ourselves up to entirely new vistas of closeness to Hashem.
The amazing thing about the initiatives we have facilitated is the tremendous success that has been experienced. Klal Yisroel are called maaminim benai maaminim, and no matter how far someone drifts or loses their inspiration, all it really takes is a small spark to reignite their flame. A little hisorirus, offered in a non-judgmental and loving manner, is often all that is necessary to open a person’s eyes to the amazing fact that embracing a passionate approach to yiddishkeit offers an immeasurably happy and meaningful life.
The Impassioned Emunah weekend seminar is geared towards growing families, and thereby helping to alleviate the plight of so many parents, children and families affected by this lack of passion for Emunah and Yahadus in general.
For more information, please call 516-295-5700 x 107 or email [email protected].
