ב״ה
Navigating the intersection of life and Judaism requires a personal exploration of both.
Curated conversations are vehicles for effectively navigating the two.
M54 provides that.
Through conversations curated by Chanie and Peretz Chein, participants peel away filters on their lives and Judaism, discovering greater dynamism in their lives as people and Jews.
Chanie brings her keen sense of life and the ability to discern between the artificial and substantive, soothingly agitating people to the latter. Peretz brings his deep knowledge of and unique insights into Judaism. Together they have mastered the art of conversation.
For two decades, they have navigated their own intersection of life and Judaism as Chabad Shluchim while also guiding students and alumni at Brandeis through their own explorations.
M54 Individual
or Couple
3 conversations, 60 minutes each, over 3 to 12 weeks.
Choose one or more of these topics, or suggest your own:
~ Authoring Your Script
~ Evolving Parenting
~ The Dance of Relationships
~ The Intersection of Life & Judaism
M54 Group
For friends, family, colleagues or community - a group of 7-10 people.
Small group conversations allow for co-creation amongst participants and a balance between intimacy and distance.
3 conversations, 60 minutes each, over 3 to 12 weeks.
Topics are the same as the M54 Individual or Couple.
The Need
Often life and Judaism arrive from differing directions; life from personal needs, Judaism from abstract ideas. Ideally, they support and benefit each other. At times though, Judaism has a minimal impact or is overlooked. Other times they clash, and Judaism negatively affects one’s life or is dismissed.
With age, one’s life experience deepens, accelerated by marriage and raising a family, at which time the intersection with Judaism increases in complexity. Exploring the intersection begins with understanding one’s current reality, which often is overlooked in the hustle to keep up personally and professionally. A more sophisticated understanding of Judaism needs to be developed that reflects the current life stage, instead of remaining with the earlier understanding received as a child or adolescent.
Failure to reflect on one’s life and mature one’s attitude toward Judaism leaves many disconnected from Judaism and the tremendous value it provides - a loss for themselves, their family, and the Jewish people.
The M54 Model
Traditional Jewish education is one-dimensional in content, presentation, and engagement. The content is the text, the presenter is an individual, and the student’s role is to learn and absorb. This model is appropriate for children and adolescents who have insignificant life experience.
Unfortunately, this traditional, one-dimensional model remains in use even with adults whose life experience requires a multidimensional approach.
Our content is multi-dimensional, combining life experience and a nuanced understanding of Judaism. It's presented by two people, with strengths in understanding life or Judaism. The engagement is conversational, making the participants co-creators of the content.
Key to this model is the curator's ability to bring the participants into the conversation and guide them to a deeper understanding of themselves and Judaism.
To date, M54 has facilitated conversations on close to 30 topics; see them listed here. Listen to Chanie and Peretz's latest podcasts or video conversations for a taste of their wisdom and spirit!
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Maya Abitbol, New York
This series is an interactive dialogue between parents looking to grow in their role. It is moderated by Chanie and Peretz, who are true thinkers and thought leaders. You will leave with food for thought and a sense of community.
Ari Tretin, Chicago
Going into these conversations we didn’t have any expectations of the topics or who else was going to be a part of this with us. Chanie and Peretz helped lead us into thought provoking, deep, well needed conversations that couples should be considering at every stage in life . It pushed us just the right amount out of our comfort zone to explore as individuals and as a community, and COVID or not, this is something couples need to constantly do.
Sydney Exler, Boston
These 'conversations' (for lack of a better description) provide a unique space in which to have open and exploratory conversations about the philosophical pillars of our everyday lives. Prepare to be celebrated, challenged, and to distill the core of the ideals that you hold dear.