Tuesday, May 13, Chabad Tysons Jewish Center will present Paradigm Shift: Transformational Life Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a new six-session course by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. The course will be offered as part of a series of local activities in Northern Virginia marking 20 years since the passing of "the Rebbe," Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous memory. The Rebbe was a visionary religious leader who inspired countless individuals during his lifetime and established a global network of educational, social, and religious institutions to revive the post-holocaust Jewish landscape.

Paradigm Shift will be offered in Vienna over six Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. beginning May 13. The course will explore Rabbi Schneerson’s philosophy and outlook, offering participants the chance to see things from a radically different perspective.

“It’s like putting on a new pair of glasses through which everything appears much more vivid; it enables you to see so much more,” explained Rabbi Zalman Abraham of JLI’s Brooklyn headquarters. “The Rebbe guided individuals to see the potential and inherent goodness in themselves, in others, and in every circumstance of their lives--and we hope to convey a glimpse of this outlook to participants of the course.”

Paradigm Shift is a monumental contribution to the Rebbe's legacy--the product of a collaboration of over two dozen experts on Rabbi Schneerson’s teachings. It addresses questions such as: What were the Rebbe’s central teachings and contributions to Judaism and society? What was his understanding of the human being and what were his hopes for humanity? What stands behind the continued success of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement? And how can we apply these insights toward living a more purposeful life?

“We all want to live up to our inherent design, to make the best of the unique set of skills and circumstances that we were given,” said Rabbi Chessy Deitsch local JLI instructor in Vienna. “Paradigm Shift is the first step; it’s about visualizing what is possible and seeing how you can make it a reality.”

Like all JLI programs, Paradigm Shift is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

Interested students may call 703-821-7770 or visit www.myJLI.com for registration and other course-related information.