My Journey Towards A Fuller Life
Imagine growing up in a community where English and Math are not part of the education system. For me, this was a reality. As a boy growing up in the Chabad Hasidic community, our Jewish education was a very high priority, but a secular education was non-existent. We studied the Bible with its many interpretations, the laws that the scholars in the Talmud derived from different biblical sources, and Jewish philosophy and ethics. In high school, we had a full day schedule, but all of our studies were directed towards learning how to serve God in the best way possible. I knew that I wanted more for myself, and I always imagined myself one day acquiring a proper formal education.
During my time in high school, I noticed a lot of my fellow teenage friends struggling with different emotional challenges. This, together with me experiencing my own struggles with anxiety and depression made me very interested in psychology and learning how to deal with the various internal obstacles people contend with. I decided that when I would finish my Jewish education I would pursue a degree in the mental health field.
The first step would be to obtain a High School Diploma. Learning second-grade math at the age of twenty-two was truly a humbling experience. Although it was very challenging, I spent five consecutive months studying for the TASC, and after taking some of the practice tests I scheduled my exam for the summer of 2018. I passed all five parts of the test on the first try and I was very excited. I remember sharing the results with almost everyone I knew. A few months later and here I am - a student in KBCC majoring in Mental Health.
Something valuable that I cultivated in my traditional upbringing was the desire to help others in need. In a time where suicide due to depression is one of the leading causes of death in America, I hope that one day I will be able to help others through their challenges with building a better life for themselves. From when I was a young teenager I remember enjoying having long personal conversations with others. I remember particularly being interested in the challenges that others were facing and exploring what methods can be useful in overcoming them. I believe I would be excited to do this kind of work daily.
A large part of growing up in the Chabad community is doing outreach and connecting with all sorts of Jewish people. In my youth, I had the privilege to travel across the United States as well as to other countries. These experiences have helped shape my perspective and ability to connect with people from all sorts of backgrounds. One day I hope to combine my traditional upbringing together with a formal education and help as many people as I can.
The journey to achieving what one truly desires is often full of obstacles. For me, this definitely was and still is the case. I used to tell people “If not for my guitar (which used to help me cope when I was a teenager) I don’t know where I would be today.” From overcoming my internal battles with depression and anxiety to self-teaching basic English and Math, room to grow was never an issue. I pray that someday I will be able to turn around and see the fruits of my labor. I wish this not just upon myself, but upon all of my classmates here at Kingsborough.