An important part of becoming transformational is the journey through the roles of victim, to victor, to transformer. Let’s look at each of these in turn:

What are the essential characteristics of a victim?

As a gymnast and member of the team that will represent the USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Aly Raisman is making her dreams come true. Although these dreams did not come effortlessly for the Jewish athlete. There were the twice daily workouts, long commutes and a life lived on the road. But the hectic schedule and long hours paid off.

On Sunday, Jews all over the world will observe the fast of Tisha B’Av. It is on this day that the Jewish people mourn the destruction of both the First and Second Temples. The First Temple was destroyed almost 2,600 years ago and the Second Temple 1,942 years ago. It is therefore not easy to understand what exactly it is that the Jewish people mourn.

The Babylonian Exile that followed the destruction of the First Temple lasted for 70 years. Under the leadership of  Ezra and Nechemia, however, the Jews began to return to the land of Israel and to Jerusalem. Many chose not to return, but those who did rebuilt the Temple, although on a far more modest scale than the First Temple.

It’s hard to write a column about film this week without briefly touching on the shooting in Aurora, Colorado. One of the main reasons that people go to the movies is for an escape; they want to leave the stresses and troubles of their daily lives behind and immerse themselves in a different world.  Sometimes that’s a funny world, sometimes it’s an exciting one, and sometimes it’s even a tragic one, but at the end of the movie, you get up and leave that world behind.

One of the most repeated instructions in the Torah is that judges must do everything possible to provide equitable justice. In Deuteronomy 1, Moses reiterated this point once again, saying: “And I charged your judges at that time, saying: ‘Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. You shall not respect persons in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike; you shall not be afraid of the face of any person…’” (Deuteronomy 1:16-17).

Swimmer Garrett Weber-Gale made his Olympic debut in 2008, where he won a pair of relay gold medals. At just 26-years-old, this Jewish athlete will return to the Olympics yet again in 2012.

Hey baby, what’s your sign? Whether you’re confused by your dramatic, but oh-so-dreamy- Pisces Partner, or wondering if your new Libra lover will ever be ready to commit, we can all find the fun in a little starry-eye advice from time to time. Yes, I’m talking about astrological love advice. Check out your love interest’s sun sign below and get a peek into your cosmic connection! But please, don’t take me (or yourself) too seriously! This is simply a pop version of the very complicated science of astrology. Now, on to some starry-eyed shenanigans…

Since its first official overseas program in 1955, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem has attracted hundreds of young Jewish adults from both North America and Europe. Hebrew University is the oldest institute of higher learning in Israel and predates the State by several decades.

Behavioral therapy starts with just one step, followed by many repeats. Substitute your unwanted, self-destructive dating or love habits with behaviors that will work for you.