Jewish upbringing

Sources:

Jordan Harbinger has discussed his Jewish background and its influence on him on multiple occasions.

  1. Cultural Attitudes Towards Happiness: Jordan mentions that in his Jewish upbringing, even the happiest family members weren't always happy due to a cultural tendency to avoid celebrating too much, fearing bad luck. This mindset, which he humorously shares, is a part of his heritage and reflects a cautious approach to joy shared by many old-world families 1.

  2. Empathy and Resilience: On another note, a guest, , discussed how her Jewish heritage, specifically the survival experiences of her father during the Holocaust, shaped her empathy and non-judgmental approach in her professional life. Her father’s actions, such as saving 60 children, instilled in her a deep understanding of human nature and kindness 2.

  3. Historical Impact and Trauma: , in a conversation with Jordan, shared his experiences living through the Holocaust. Despite the trauma, Kahneman mentioned that such experiences did not significantly influence his life, highlighting human resilience. Jordan reflects on the broader impact of these historical atrocities on shared family histories, like their own 3.

    Achievements and Happiness

    Jordan and Laurie discuss how achievements and circumstantial changes can impact happiness, but ultimately, happiness tends to return to baseline levels. They also touch on cultural attitudes towards happiness and the role of guilt in certain religious upbringings.
    The Jordan Harbinger Show
    554: Laurie Santos | Practical Lessons from The Happiness Lab
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For further insights, you might want to listen to the full episodes:

  • for personal stories about Jewish experiences.
  • for reflections on the impact of historical events on Jewish families.
  • where broader discussions about empathy rooted in Jewish upbringing are explored.
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