Positive Psychology in Jewish Education: Gratitude in the School and Synagogue Classroom

Abstract

Positive psychology is a rapidly growing area of study for research psychologists, and more recently for school psychologists and educators as well. Yet religious education researchers and practitioners have yet to embrace this exciting new field. The current article introduces positive psychology to clergy and educators in religious institutions. By way of example, we explore gratitude, an area of particular focus among positive psychologists, demonstrating the benefits observed in those who possess and express this trait, and delineate how gratitude can be induced in the Jewish religious classroom.

Notes

Recent searches for “positive psychology” in the archives of the journal Religious Education (as well as in a journal of Jewish education) yielded no articles devoted to this topic.

Leading thirteenth-century Jewish philosopher and biblical exegete.

Leading eleventh-century philosopher.

Leading twelfth-century biblical exegete.

Leading twelfth-century sage and mystic.

Translation adapted from Feldheim edition, 181–82.

For an extensive discussion of the primacy of hope in Jewish literature and practice, see Schnall, Schiffman, and Cherniak (2014).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eliezer Schnall

Eliezer Schnall is Clinical Professor of Psychology at Yeshiva University, and David Schnall is University Professor of Jewish Culture and Society and Dean Emeritus of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University, New York, New York. E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected]

David Schnall

Eliezer Schnall is Clinical Professor of Psychology at Yeshiva University, and David Schnall is University Professor of Jewish Culture and Society and Dean Emeritus of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University, New York, New York. E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected]