JLIC at Queens College, in collaboration with the Shalom Task Force, hosted a transformative “Real Talk: Healthy Relationship Workshop” on February 25 in the Student Union Goldberg Studio. The hour-long session, led by Keshet Starr, CEO of Shalom Task Force, provided students with essential tools for navigating relationships in a healthy and meaningful way.
Rabbi Shlomo and Ruchie Brukier, who lead JLIC at Queens College, organized the workshop with a proactive approach. Their goal was to empower students by creating awareness about relationship dynamics before issues arise, bringing in experts specialized in recognizing red flags.
“We wanted to teach students about healthy relationships,” explained the Brukiers. “We brought in the best in the business of recognizing red flags to engage and create awareness before any issues come up. Our mission was to empower our students to find healthy, meaningful relationships.”
The workshop explored several critical aspects of relationship health:
- Students learned to identify the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationship patterns
- Participants gained practical skills for recognizing warning signs and navigating difficult situations
- The session emphasized how self-awareness contributes to personal growth and understanding shifts within relationships
- Discussions highlighted the fundamental importance of respect and open, honest communication in all relationships
The event created a welcoming atmosphere for students at various relationship stages—whether currently in a relationship, recently out of one, or hoping to find a partner. Everyone came to understand what makes a healthy relationship!
The engagement level was remarkably high, with many students remaining nearly an hour after the official end time, continuing conversations and asking thoughtful questions. This demonstrated the relevance and impact of the topic among the student population.
Lunch was provided during the workshop enhanced the community-building aspect of the gathering. Students appreciated both the nourishing food and the nourishing conversation in a supportive environment.
The JLIC team express their gratitude to Keshet Starr and the Shalom Task Force for facilitating such an insightful and engaging discussion. Their expertise in relationship dynamics proved invaluable for the Queens College community.
The workshop represented a collaborative effort between several organizations: Queens Hillel, UJA Federation New York, Jewish Education Project on Campus, and Shalom Task Force.
For those who missed this valuable session, JLIC at Queens College hopes to offer similar programming in the future, continuing their commitment to supporting students’ personal growth and healthy relationship development.
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about JLIC and to support our programming.
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