Jewish Pride Revolution: Teaching Happiness After October 7
In the wake of October 7, a revolutionary approach to Jewish education is emerging that champions pride, resilience, and victory over trauma. Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, Israeli professor and pioneer of positive psychology, is leading this transformative movement that places Jewish accomplishments at the center of our educational narrative.
From Trauma to Triumph: The Science of Jewish Resilience
While post-traumatic stress has risen sharply since October 7, affecting both Israelis and Diaspora Jews facing unprecedented antisemitism, Ben-Shahar advocates a powerful alternative: focusing on what makes us strong, successful, and proud.
"The first secret to happiness is reality," Ben-Shahar explained at the Yael Foundation conference in Vienna. "The second secret to happiness is reality. Third secret, reality."
This reality includes our extraordinary achievements. "Just focusing on the suffering is unhealthy," he emphasized. "It's as unhealthy as a couple only talking about their problems. If you only talk about problems, you live your problems and become them."
Israel: The Start-Up Nation's Secret to Happiness
Despite facing threats from multiple fronts, Israel consistently ranks among the world's happiest countries. This isn't coincidence but testament to our values and strength.
"Why is Israel one of the happiest countries in the world? Despite all our challenges?" Ben-Shahar asked. "The main reason is relationships. Whether it's Shabbat dinner with family, this real focus explains why Israel is among the happiest countries and why Israelis are so resilient."
The second factor is our culture of giving and generosity, whether through charity, helping those in need, or simply listening. This spirit of chesed strengthens both giver and receiver, fostering post-traumatic growth that transforms challenge into strength.
Reclaiming Jewish Pride Through Ancient Wisdom
Ben-Shahar draws inspiration from Gandhi's approach to Indian independence: "They say the most important thing Gandhi did for India was make India proud of itself. We need to learn Jewish pride, Israeli pride, because we do have a lot to be proud of."
This pride must be cultivated in our children by making Judaism relevant and powerful. When we teach that Shabbat observance leads to greater happiness, health, and success, we connect ancient wisdom with modern science. When we show that expressing gratitude through Modeh Ani creates measurable wellbeing, we demonstrate Torah's eternal relevance.
The Battle for Jewish Education
Too often, Jewish education focuses on trauma while neglecting our magnificent achievements. Ben-Shahar challenges this approach: "We need to teach our children not just to stand up for Israel, not just understand why we have a right to this land, but why this is also a moral and righteous cause."
In Israel, secular education provides "very, very little" Jewish content, sometimes with outright antagonism. In the Diaspora, some Jewish students not only lack connection to Israel but oppose our very existence. This educational failure demands immediate correction.
Going on the Offensive Without Being Offensive
Ben-Shahar founded The David Project to equip Jewish students with tools to defend Israel effectively. "We need to learn to go on the offensive without being offensive," he stated. "We shouldn't just passively receive lies and distortions promoted in media worldwide. We need to stand up for Israel and fight."
In our digital age, children face unprecedented exposure to hatred and antisemitism through smartphones. This makes our educational mission even more urgent: we must place Israel "at the epicenter of good versus evil" and be "that candle in a dark room."
The Path Forward: Pride, Not Pity
Research shows that focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses creates lasting resilience. By celebrating our innovations, our democracy, our contributions to humanity, and our unbreakable bond to Eretz Yisrael, we build the next generation of proud Jews.
As Ben-Shahar reminds us: "We become what we meditate on. We become what we talk about." Let us choose to meditate on our greatness, speak of our achievements, and raise children who know that being Jewish and Israeli means being part of something extraordinary.
From King David's psalms to modern Israeli technology, from Talmudic wisdom to Nobel Prize winners, our story is one of triumph. It's time our education reflected this magnificent reality.