If the Torah can be viewed as an instruction manual for life and for developing a relationship with the Divine, then why is it filled with filled with stories of intrigue, betrayal and conflict? Can holiness be found in struggle and heartbreak? This class will present both practical and spiritual strategies for dealing with and learning from difficult people and situations. Our starting point will be one of the more enigmatic passages in Genesis – Jacob’s mystical encounter and all-night wrestling match with a divine being. We will seek insights and explore modern-day psychological principles to guide us as we grapple with our own interpersonal challenges.

Mark I. Rosen, Ph.D. is an educator, consultant, researcher, author, and public speaker. He was a faculty member for more than three decades, most recently at Brandeis University in the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program, where he taught nonprofit management. Mark has also served as a consultant and researcher for Jewish organizations and foundations. He is the author of Thank You for Being Such a Pain: Spiritual Guidance for Dealing with Difficult People.