Ron Wolfson

Insider's Guide to Mayo Clinic offers patients and family members insider tips on the questions most asked by visitors to the Rochester, Minnesota, campus of the world-famous Mayo Clinic.Authored by a long-time patient given official access to the professionals and committees responsible for creating and facilitating the Mayo model of care, you will learn how this group practice works, how to save time, and how to prepare for your appointments. Readers will also learn how to enhance your stay in Rochester: which hotels are connected to the "Subway/Skyway" system of covered hallways that lead to the downtown Clinic buildings, where to find a good restaurant, how to get around town, and activities to fill your time between appointments. Whether outpatient or inpatient, Insider's Guide to Mayo Clinic is an indispensable resource to benefit most from your visit to Med City.

Wisdom, solace and inspiration from Jewish tradition to bring you hope and healing after loss."Mourning can open doors you may not have imagined before your life was shaken by loss. This book provides keys to those doors and a way into the rooms beyond them. Whether you stand at grief's threshold or give counsel to someone who does, this book can offer guidance.... With words of wisdom, ranging from comforting to provocative, each author stands at the entrance to one of mourning's doors, extending a hand to offer the key you will need, inviting you into one of these deep conversations."--from the Preface by Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSWBeloved and respected spiritual leaders from across the Jewish denominational spectrum share insights from their experience, Jewish tradition and their personal encounters with grief and healing. This wide range of perspectives, offered with grace and compassion, will be a treasured resource in your time of grief. Whether mourning a recent loss or experiencing pain from old scars, you will be encouraged and challenged to be fully, vulnerably present to your emotions; forgive your own shortcomings and those of others; and remain open to love despite pain and uncertainty.Contributors: Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, DHL - Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW - Dr. Norman J. Cohen - Rabbi Mike Comins - Rabbi David A. Cooper - Rabbi Rachel Cowan - Rabbi Edward Feinstein - Rabbi Nancy Flam - Rabbi Lori Forman-Jacobi - Rabbi Dayle A. Friedman, MSW, MA, BCC - Debbie Friedman - Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, PhD - Nan Fink Gefen, PhD - Rabbi Neil Gillman, PhD - Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, DHL - Rabbi Arthur Green, PhD - Dr. David Hartman - Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD - Rabbi Margaret Holub - Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar - Rabbi Lawrence Kushner - Rabbi Maurice Lamm - Rabbi Naomi Levy - Rabbi David Lyon - Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler - Rabbi James L. Mirel - Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky - Rabbi Daniel F. Polish, PhD - Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso - Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis - Rabbi Dannel I. Schwartz - Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz - Rabbi Rami Shapiro - Rachel Josefowitz Siegel - Rabbi Shira Stern, DMin, BCC - Rabbi Nancy Wechsler-Azen - Karen Bonnell Werth - Rabbi Nancy H. Wiener, DMin - Dr. Ron Wolfson - Rabbi Sheldon ZimmermanFor use by individuals as well as in groups or counseling settings.

Powerful life lessons in a funny and moving portrait of family, community and spiritual discovery in America.Hilarious and heartfelt, Ron Wolfson's inspiring memoir is filled with stories of growing up in a warm family, encountering colorful characters like the merchants of Omaha and the famous Warren Buffett, navigating adolescence and learning never to underestimate his mother.With easygoing Midwestern humor and profound poignancy, Ron's "true stories" of family and community in the United States of America will resonate with anyone seeking to shape stronger families, create compelling communities and live their best life, a life of joy and laughter, meaning and purpose, and, yes, blessings and kisses."I am the best boy in the United States of America. That's what my grandfather--my 'Zaydie'--called me from the time I was a little child in Omaha, Nebraska. I know it's true because this is a true story. All my stories are true...."Zaydie loved three things: his family, his business, and his adopted country--the United States of America. I never, ever heard Zaydie say 'the United States.' It was always 'da United States of America, ' in his thick Russian accent.... For Louie Paperny, each one of his nine grandchildren was the best boy or the best girl in the United States of America. We believed him. I believed him. And in a certain way, I've lived the rest of my life trying to be that best boy."--from Chapter 1

Powerful life lessons in a funny and moving portrait of family, community and spiritual discovery in America.Hilarious and heartfelt, Ron Wolfson's inspiring memoir is filled with stories of growing up in a warm family, encountering colorful characters like the merchants of Omaha and the famous Warren Buffett, navigating adolescence and learning never to underestimate his mother.With easygoing Midwestern humor and profound poignancy, Ron's "true stories" of family and community in the United States of America will resonate with anyone seeking to shape stronger families, create compelling communities and live their best life, a life of joy and laughter, meaning and purpose, and, yes, blessings and kisses."I am the best boy in the United States of America. That s what my grandfather my 'Zaydie called me from the time I was a little child in Omaha, Nebraska. I know it s true because this is a true story. All my stories are true.... Zaydie loved three things: his family, his business, and his adopted country the United States of America. I never, ever heard Zaydie say 'the United States. It was always da United States of America, in his thick Russian accent.... For Louie Paperny, each one of his nine grandchildren was the best boy or the best girl in the United States of America. We believed him. I believed him. And in a certain way, I ve lived the rest of my life trying to be that best boy." from Chapter 1"

Open wide your mind--and your community--to fresh concepts of synagogue financial and spiritual success." A] welcome addition.... Replete with examples of synagogues, independent minyanim and spiritual communities that have developed creative and sometimes surprising strategies ... that ameliorate what many observers believe are obstacles to recruiting and engaging Jews into their spiritual communities."--from the Foreword by Dr. Ron WolfsonThe concept of the "dues-based membership model" in synagogues was once an innovation. Now that model is in decline and sweeping change is required in order to reverse the downward trend in synagogue participation. This groundbreaking book provides synagogue and communal leaders with a useful process and the ingredients necessary to consider important changes in the synagogue, including: Thoughtful new models for membership and synagogue financeExamples from successful synagogues, bolstered by illustrations from the private sectorPractical steps for change and implementationWith checklists for exploring and adopting alternative models from nationally recognized congregational consultant Debbie Joseph.

How to transform the model of twentieth-century Jewish institutions into twenty-first-century relational communities offering meaning and purpose, belonging and blessing."What really matters is that we care about the people we seek to engage. When we genuinely care about people, we will not only welcome them; we will listen to their stories, we will share ours, and we will join together to build a Jewish community that enriches our lives." —from the IntroductionMembership in Jewish organizations is down. Day school enrollment has peaked. Federation campaigns are flat. The fastest growing and second largest category of Jews is “Just Jewish.” Young Jewish adults are unengaged and aging baby boomers are disengaging. Yet, in the era of Facebook, people crave face-to-face community.“It's all about relationships.” With this simple, but profound idea, noted educator and community revitalization pioneer Dr. Ron Wolfson presents practical strategies and case studies to transform the old model of Jewish institutions into relational communities. He sets out twelve principles of relational engagement to guide Jewish lay leaders, professionals and community members in transforming institutions into inspiring communities whose value-proposition is to engage people and connect them to Judaism and community in meaningful and lasting ways.

Membership in Jewish organizations is down. Day school enrollment has peaked. Federation campaigns are flat. The fastest growing and second largest category of Jews is "Just Jewish." Young Jewish adults are unengaged and aging baby boomers are disengaging. Yet, in the era of Facebook, people crave face-to-face community. "It's all about relationships." With this simple, but profound idea, noted educator and community revitalization pioneer Dr. Ron Wolfson presents practical strategies and case studies to transform the old model of Jewish programmatic institutions into relational communities. He sets out nine principles of relational engagement to guide Jewish lay leaders and professionals in transforming institutions into inspiring communities whose value-proposition is to engage people and connect them to community in a meaningful and lasting way.

Prepare to revive your Jewish community with the transformative power of the Divine spirit."Rabbi Baruch HaLevi and Ellen Frankel have correctly identified Ruakh as a key missing ingredient in Jewish institutional life, especially in the synagogue. Their call is for a revolution of spirit, a rejuvenation of our purpose, our worship, even our sacred spaces. It is recognition that the craving for community can bring people back to our institutions, if we welcome, engage and inspire them."--from the Foreword by Dr. Ron WolfsonIn this practical and engaging guide to reinvigorating Jewish life, Rabbi Baruch HaLevi and Ellen Frankel identify the difference between a living synagogue and a dying one, and offer methods for reviving the Jewish spiritual centers--federations, community centers, institutions and synagogues--that serve as the heart of Jewish tradition and your life. They offer practical strategies for sustaining and expanding transformation, including tips for providing impassioned leadership, inspired programming and inviting sacred spaces. Whether you are clergy, congregant or community member, this guide will help you awaken your spirit and enliven your journey to a Ruakh-filled life.

Prepare to revive your Jewish community with the transformative power of the Divine spirit."Rabbi Baruch HaLevi and Ellen Frankel have correctly identified Ruakh as a key missing ingredient in Jewish institutional life, especially in the synagogue. Their call is for a revolution of spirit, a rejuvenation of our purpose, our worship, even our sacred spaces. It is recognition that the craving for community can bring people back to our institutions, if we welcome, engage and inspire them."--from the Foreword by Dr. Ron WolfsonIn this practical and engaging guide to reinvigorating Jewish life, Rabbi Baruch HaLevi and Ellen Frankel identify the difference between a living synagogue and a dying one, and offer methods for reviving the Jewish spiritual centers--federations, community centers, institutions and synagogues--that serve as the heart of Jewish tradition and your life. They offer practical strategies for sustaining and expanding transformation, including tips for providing impassioned leadership, inspired programming and inviting sacred spaces. Whether you are clergy, congregant or community member, this guide will help you awaken your spirit and enliven your journey to a Ruakh-filled life.

Become a real superhero Learn how to use the powers God gave you to continue the work of creation and repair the world."We don't have to pretend to use the powers God has given us. These powers are real and they are super Our God shares God's powers with us so we can make our lives better and the lives of others better. When we learn how to use God's superpowers, we become God's partners-- God's superheroes--on earth."--from the IntroductionThis inspirational guide for kids ages eight to twelve is a marvel, showing them (and their families) that it's easy to become God's partner on earth: figure out what God does in the Bible, then do it God creates, blesses, rests, calls, comforts, cares, repairs, wrestles, gives and forgives. For each of God's superpowers, Dr. Ron Wolfson gives kids stories and suggestions for what might be on their own God's to-do list-- the many ways they can use their superpowers to make a difference in the lives of others, and find meaning and purpose for their own.

Finally, a book for kids ages eight through twelve that inspires a personal relationship with God. With good humor and clear examples, Dr. Ron Wolfson explains the biblical idea that every human being is made "in the image of God," and that people of any age have the potential to imitate God in order to bring God's presence into the world. Jewish tradition calls this "repairing the world." It's easy to become God's partner on earth: figure out what God does in the Bible, and then you do it God creates, rests, blesses, calls, comforts, cares, repairs, gives and forgives. For each of God's characteristics, Wolfson offers stories and suggestions for what might be on God's to-do list for kids the many ways they can make a difference in the lives of others and find meaning and purpose for their own. This book will encourage kids to use their God-given "super powers" to be creative, to turn off the computer and rest, to be a blessing to parents and friends, to do good deeds, to comfort those who are sick, to repair a little corner of the world, to give of themselves, and to forgive those who "mess up." A great gift from parents and grandparents who are eager for their kids to connect with spirituality, the Bible, and God. A wonderful resource for religious school classrooms of all faiths.

How do you get to the heart of a life well lived? Its all about the questions.If you can hear the questions and apply them to the way you live your life on earth today, then when the time comes, your soul will be ready to take that stairway to heaven, prepared to answer the Seven Questions with a resounding Yes , and take your rightful place among the angels.from the Prologue In this charming, inspiring and wise guide to a well-lived life, beloved teacher Ron Wolfson provides an advance copy of the Seven Questions youll be asked in heavenwhether youre a believer or a non-believer. The answers to these questions will help you shape a life of purpose and meaning on earth today. Supported by wisdom from the Jewish tradition, lifes experiences, and personal anecdotes, Wolfson tells you about these transformative questions and explores the values that are at the heart of a life that matters. He offers funny, insightful and poignant stories of how peopleancient and contemporaryhave answered the Seven Questions through their everyday actions. He encourages you to reflect on your own life goals and provides ideas both big and small for achieving them.

You Are God's Partner Put on This Earth to Do God's Work "What on earth are you here for? To do the tasks that God has for you.... You can call someone who is lonely. You can visit a friend who is sick. You can read a book to a child. You can comfort a mourner. You can volunteer your time. You can make a difference. You can give of your self--a self that is infused with godliness."--from the IntroductionAll human beings are made in the image of God. But for what purpose were you made? The biblical answer is clear: you are to imitate God in order to bring God's presence into your life and the lives of others.This practical guidebook to repairing the world--often in simple everyday ways--details the biblical accounts of what God does, not what God says: God creates, blesses, rests, calls, comforts, cares, repairs, wrestles, gives and forgives. For each of God's actions, this provocative resource suggests what might be on God's to-do list for you, the many ways you can make small and great differences in the lives of others and find the ultimate source of meaning for your own.An inspiring gift to uplift your spirit and share with others, whatever your faith, you can do God's To-Do List.

A practical guide for envisioning--and transforming--your synagogue into a powerful new congregation of welcoming, learning and healing. "The new synagogue we envision is a spiritual center for all those who set foot inside it. It is a kehillah kedoshah, a sacred community, where relationships are paramount, where worship is engaging, where everyone is learning, where repair of the world is a moral imperative, where healing is offered, where personal and institutional transformation are embraced. The times are ripe for this spiritual call." --from the Introduction So often we want our congregations to be more--more compelling, more member-focused, more spiritual and yet more useful for our daily lives. Through reflection, examples, tips and exercises--and incorporating the fruits of Synagogue 2000 (now Synagogue 3000), a groundbreaking decade-long program investigating the challenges facing modern synagogues--this inspiring handbook both establishes a sound foundation for why a deep hospitality is crucial for the survival of today's spiritual communities, and dives into the practical hands-on how of turning your congregation into a place of invitation and openness that includes: Prayer that is engaging, uplifting and spiritually moving - Institutional deepening that is possible because of an openness to change - Study that engages adults and families, as well as children - Good deeds--the work of social justice--as a commitment of each and every member - An ambience of welcome that creates a culture of warmth and outreach - Healing that offers comfort and support at times of illness and loss - ... and much more.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Honoring the Dead and Empowering the Living When someone dies, there are so many questions--from what to do in the moment of grief, to dealing with the practical details of the funeral, to spiritual concerns about the meaning of life and death. This indispensable guide to Jewish mourning and comfort provides traditional and modern insights into every aspect of loss. In a new, easy-to-use format, this classic resource is full of wise advice to help you cope with death and comfort others when they are bereaved. Dr. Ron Wolfson takes you step by step through the mourning process, including the specifics of funeral preparations, preparing the home and family to sit shiva, and visiting the grave. Special sections deal with helping young children grieve, mourning the death of an infant or child, and more. Wolfson captures the poignant stories of people in all stages of grieving--children, spouses, parents, rabbis, friends, non-Jews--and provides new strategies for reinvigorating and transforming the Jewish ways we mourn, grieve, remember, and carry on with our lives after the death of a loved one.

Remember, retell, recreate, and relive the Exodus experience--with the stories, rituals, foods, and songs of Pesah. This revised and expanded edition of the classic spiritual sourcebook offers updated information, more ideas, and new resources for every aspect of the Festival of Freedom.An inspiring and practical how-to guide, Passover clearly explains all the vital information that you need to fully honor--and to fully enjoy--this sacred celebration, including: History and meaningHow to prepare, from shopping to kashering to selecting a HaggadahRituals, prayers, and blessings (step by step)Songs and prayers in English and Hebrew (with clear transliterations)Innovative and imaginative new traditions to enliven your celebrationFirsthand explanations and ideas from a variety of perspectivesNew information and ideas about how to involve everyone--from toddlers to teens to grandparents--in a meaningful Seder experienceEnriched by real-life voices sharing practical, useful suggestions and advice, this creative resource helps us to reacquaint ourselves with time-tested traditions and discover old and new ways to celebrate the birth and continuous renewal of the Jewish people.

How can my congregation become more vital? How can we both honor the past and embrace the future? " The Self-Renewing Congregation] calls for 'renewal'...from within, not without--a renewal that begins with institutional self-reflection, proceeds through a process of self-engagement, and ends with self-generated innovations that can deepen the synagogue congregation as a sacred community. The core of this book offers any congregation seeking this path a compelling and realistic roadmap, a vision, and a process that is rooted in applied research and practical experience."--from the Foreword by Dr. Ron Wolfson, codeveloper, Synagogue 2000; author of Shabbat: The Family Guide to Preparing for and Celebrating the Sabbath Revitalizing and re-imagining the organization of our synagogues takes work Combining expert advice and experience garnered from congregations throughout North America, The Self-Renewing Congregation shows us how transformative change is possible. A complete resource full of ideas, information, and support, this is a guide for those of us involved in, or interested in, energizing our spiritual communities. Isa Aron, founding director of Hebrew Union College's Experiment in Congregational Education (ECE), offers concrete, practical information on how to bring about change through collaborative leadership, and helps us grow dynamic, successful congregations.

Celebrate the joy of "making Shabbat" each week in your home--with rituals, prayers, blessings, food, and song. This expanded, easy-to-use edition of the classic spiritual sourcebook offers updated information, more ideas, and new resources for every aspect of the holy day. An inspiring how-to guide to every aspect of Shabbat, including: History and meaning How to prepare Rituals, prayers, and blessings (step-by-step) The Sabbath day Havdalah Songs and prayers in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish (with clear transliterations) Recipes for traditional and modern foods to spice up the Shabbat menu Family activities to enhance the experience Enriched by real-life voices sharing practical suggestions and advice, this creative resource helps us to reacquaint ourselves with time-tested traditions and discover old and new ways to celebrate Shabbat, including biblically-inspired songs and games, Shabbat-related crafts, and more family-tested ideas.