In March, New York City was considered the epicenter of the COVID pandemic. At that time, Wholebeing Institute joined its resources with the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. The goal was simple: How can we help? Without being together physically, how could we connect virtually to offer critical tools for building resilience throughout our shared struggle?
Out of that desire came the daily Positivity Hour, a break in the middle of the day when positive psychology practitioners from around the world gave freely of their knowledge and talent to serve the greater good. Faculty, friends, and alumni of the many WBI programs presented on a wide variety of topics, lending support to New Yorkers and beyond as the pandemic spread. To view the recording, visit the Webinar section of the blog. Make sure you click “older entries” or “newer entries” on the bottom to see all available.
We wanted to take a moment today to acknowledge the good that was done by all those wise teachers to help us through. These teachers facilitated more than 70 lunch-and-learn webinars, directly touching thousands of people:
Amy Albert
Audrey B. Carlson
Barbara Fredrickson
Caren Osten
Caroline Kohles
Caroline Miller
Catherine Flavin
Cindy Stack
Claudia Aronowitz
Dan Lerner
Dan Tomasulo
Dana Hilmer
Deb Levin
Debbie Toomey
Denise Fowler
Donna Martire
Dr. Sherry Kelly
Elisha Goldstein
Elizabeth Whitney
Ellen Feig
Fatima Doman
Gary Redfeather (Keil)
Hanna Perlberger
Harriet Cabelly
Henrique Bueno
Hisla Bates
Jane Anderson
Jane Farnham
Jean Campbell
Jennifer Groves
Jennifer Hanawald
Jim McNerney
Jody Hoffer Gittel
Jude Treder-Wolff
Karen Whelan-Berry
Kathy Washburn
Kelly McGonigal
Laura Belsten
Laurel Burns
Linda Jackson
Lori Tuominen
Lousia Jewell
Luisa Carter
Mahesh Pamnani
Marcy Goldstein-Gelb
Margarita Tarragona
Maria Sirois
Megan McDonough
Megha Nancy Buttenheim
Michael Steger
Michele Rusinko
Mikael Kamber
Mina Simhai
Nancy Kirsner
Natalie Hoerner
Paula Sacco
Petra Kolber
Richard Präter
Ruth Pearce
Ryan Niemiec
Saakshi Tikku
Sandy Campbell
Scott Barry Kaufman
Shawn Fink
Sherry Kelly
Sonya Tinsley-Hook
Stephen Redmon
Susan Lurger
Susan Peppercorn
Tal Ben Shahar
Tami Muller
Tony Zipple
Trish Walden
Uneeda O. Brewer
Val Williams
Warren Goldstein-Gelb
Yaroslav Aristeiguieta
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. You made a difference.
Please join us in giving thanks by adding your note of gratitude below.
Thank you to everyone who has taught at the JCC over the past 10 months. The programs have been wonderful, as have the instructors.
I look forward to continued involvement with the Positivity Hours.
The JCC Positive Psychology Hours changed my life. They provided a life line by introducing me to the WBI at a time of personal transition during a time of worldwide trauma and chaos. Thank you and please consider continuing virtual programs going forward post pandemic.
Thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring and sharing and helping spread a positive outlook for all of us who are struggling. Having been diagnosed and begun treatment for breast cancer during a time in which I can’t see others physically, I’ve come to rely on a worldwide community for which I am very grateful. Staying connected helps me stay whole and well-bodied.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I’m so happy to have this convenient way to express my deep gratitude for the extraordinary programs JCC and the Wholebeing Institute produced for all of us. I was addicted to 12:00 noon zooms with your wonderful teachers for many months, and if I had to miss a session, your recordings made it possible to have a “make-up”. I believe you saved the mental health of many of us who live alone and were in self quarantine. I can’t thank you enough for bringing these special teachers and lectures into my life.
Thanks a lot for your proactive exhibition during the critical point of life.
Your generous efforts made all the difference in the quality of life during this crucial time. You gave us inspiring, enlightening ideas and “ tools” for truly living , not merely surviving. These are foundations for all of life. The spirit in which you gave your gifts is a gift in itself. Generosity, kindness, intelligence , a sense of humor and playfulness, all are earmarks of these wonderful programs which were born of creative love. Thank you each and every one!
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making this possible. Thank you all for giving your time, for sharing your knowledge and for being a light in challenging times! Thanks for making a BIG difference! In gratitude, Niky.
It was a pleasure and an important honor to contribute to this series and become a small part of this community. The benefit is mutual.
I would like to offer a special thank you to Caroline for your warm, gracious, and insightful hosting of these events. You have a gift for inclusiveness and for elevating the voice of others that was of such value.
Thank you all for making this happen
Thank you all for such a rich, stimulating positivity program. It was the perfect “medicine” for the time we were in. And the videos that were sent afterward was such a thoughtful touch. I enjoyed them all!
Thank you for being light in a dark dark year.
The collaboration between JCC and the Wholebeing Institute that was courageously and creatively forged from the pain of this pandemic, was a beacon of how we need to work together in this world. So many talented and wise people shared their knowledge and resources with a real spirit of generosity. As leaders, Caroline Phoebe and Megan showed a real thirst for learning and sharing that was palpable and an example to all those who wish to collaborate.
I am so grateful to have been able to access these sessions from my home and to have experienced positive and hopeful people at a time when goodness seemed to be creaking under the pressure of these times.
Thank you to all of you for your example, kindness and knowledge. It made a big difference to me.
Thank you for your time, your compassion and your dedication. These lunch-time conversations helped keep me sane this year. I cannot tell you how much I have learned and how much I appreciate all of you.
Together- we are so much wiser and stronger together! I love being a part of this island of goodness and knowledge and hope. So so grateful to the JCC and WBI!
As one of the presenters, it was my great honor and pleasure to be a part of this wonderful joint project between the JCC and WBI in enhancing our mental and emotional needs during such a difficult and unprecedented time. Kudos for running such an amazing and most helpful program for our well-being.
Thanks so much for being my lifeline during this Pandemic.
It is wonderful to be reminded of the tools that I learned in the CiPP program and how to apply them to everyday life.
This positive lunch zoom hour is such a fantastic idea and helped especially in the beginning of the pandemic to connect, to give structure and something to look forward to, introducing new ideas and share wisdom and the feeling of being good and open. I thank the Jcc to partner with the whole being institute and to bring these programs to us for free, in this hard time of furlough and insecurity.
Thank you for the positive contribution you made to the lives of so many like minded people. Through love, positive contribution and presence, you have been a gift to the world in challenging times. Wishing you a wonderful 2021.💗
With so much gratitude for all those who provided such inspiring, interesting and thoughtful webinars. Watching either live or in recording has been a highlight of these past months. Thank you to Wholebeing and JCC for your generosity and hard work for bringing meaningful content to my home each week.
WBI experience a life enhancing booster shot of learning, love, goodness 🙏So many teachers mentors who give back, promote meaning and growth.
Generous and kind, overflowing with human sharing–what gifts you’ve all given us.
It is selfless efforts such as yours that give me faith in humanity. Thank you all.
I am so grateful for having JCC and WBI in my life. Everyone has showed so much compassion and loving kindness while sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience.I am so enriched and my better self since the workshops. JCC and WBI have provided me with tools that will help build my resilience and strengths as I navigate through this beautiful world, with or without COVID. Caroline,Megan,Megha,Maria,Phoebe and all the people that touched my life, thank you. Be Safe,Be Happy,Be Healthy and Be at Ease.🕊💛
I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to make a positive contribution to support people during the time of the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you for inviting my participation. We are stronger together.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone connected spreading and sprinkling a daily dose of what really matters. For me staying connected with my cohorts from WBI and meeting new cohorts has filled my bucket.
Thank you with love.
Thank you, dear community, for posting your appreciation. It really does remind me of the impact of this work, and the power of collective, team teaching. It makes the hard work easier, and more meaningful. What a way to end the year…and empower another beginning in 2021.
Thank you all for your comments. Its been a joy to co-create this series with wonderful colleagues. Its deeply meaningful to hear your feedback. We are already working on curating the webinars for 2021! See you soon!
Many thanks to WBI and JCC for providing a safe landing space for many of us- most needed in 2020. Megan, Phoebe, and Caroline – I look forward the joy and comfort that you will spread in 2021. xo
What a beautiful journey we are on! Thank you for the love and dedication to this cause!
It was such an honor to be included among so many inspiring leaders in the Positive Psychology community. Thank you to WBI and the JCC for being a catalyst in spreading the this life transforming work. Megan, Phoebe and Caroline you are truly inspiring!
This wonderful tribe lifted me up in a challenging time and I remain forever grateful!