How much do our family dynamics shape our lives?

Today we recognize more than ever that from our earliest, most impressionable years, the attitudes and environment of our homes—whether positive or negative—leave a deep imprint on our psyches. Picture a warm ball of wax: every experience, every word, every gesture becomes etched into it as it cools and hardens, accompanying us into adulthood.

Our childhood traumas…
Our moments of beauty…
The nurturing we received, and the nurturing we didn’t…
The functionality—and the dysfunctionality—of our homes…

All of these weave themselves into the fabric of our lives in profound ways.

As we approach Thanksgiving—a time when many gather with family—it’s worth pausing to reflect. Family can be a source of immense warmth, connection, and joy. But it can also stir discomfort, tension, and old wounds.

So let’s explore this together. Let’s dig deeper into what family really means, how these dynamics shape us, and what we can do to navigate them with greater awareness and healing.

Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this important conversation: When Family Hurts: The Hidden Emotions Around the Family Table.