120 people gathered at Chabad of Belgravia in Central London, run by Shluchim Rabbi Mendel and Chana Kalmenson, as the community came together to celebrate the launch of Rabbi Kalmenson’s latest book, titled “On Purpose: Practical Wisdom to Design a Life of Positivity.”
Now in its second print, the book, published jointly by Chabad.org and Ezra (an imprint of Kehos), offers practical and timely wisdom to help readers discover and actualize their unique life’s purpose.
Following a short video about the Rebbe, the crowd was addressed by businessman and activist Vlad Bermant, who flew in from Israel to moderate the evening.
In his introductory remarks, Bermant shared the following: “On Purpose is a remarkable book. Full of eternal Jewish wisdom, it offers guidance relevant to all manner of contemporary contexts, and helps find meaning and purpose in our lives. Rabbi Mendel does not shy away from asking difficult questions, and his erudition allows him to draw on a wide range of Jewish and other sources to answer those questions and illuminate the path towards purpose. As is true of the best Jewish books, its message feels universal and, at the same time, as if it was written specifically for the particular person reading it. The prose is both crystal clear and elegiacally beautiful. The book is short, yet deeply impactful, and a joy to read.”
Rabbi Kalmenson then shared an overview of the book, highlighting the profound benefits of living with a clear sense of Purpose, as well as the unique challenges of finding one’s purpose in today’s world.
“Finding our unique purpose is a difficult and overwhelming affair in today’s ever-expanding, hyper-connected reality, with mobile technologies putting the world, with all of its problems and possibilities, into our hands at every moment.
As a point of contrast, a weekday edition of The New York Times contains more information about the world than the average person was likely to come across during an entire lifetime in seventeenth-century England.
Hence, in a world beset by distraction and inundated with countless causes, how do we discover our own unique purpose?
In an effort to find answers to this question I spent a number of years researching the life and teachings of the greatest spiritual leader and teacher of our time, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory, who spent a lifetime guiding countless people from all walks of life toward their purpose in life.
Drawing on hundreds of his letters, talks, and encounters with people from all backgrounds, “On Purpose” is my humble attempt to codify the Rebbe’s philosophy and practical wisdom for how to discover and actualise your purpose in life.”
One of the attendees, Sara S., later shared: “On Purpose has taught me how to use the teachings of the Rebbe, Alter Rebbe, Hasidic Movement and Kabalah plus top strategies from Jewish mysticism in my normal day to day life, helping me figure out how to optimise how I live daily to align to Jewish spiritual values to live a life of greater purpose and joy.”
The book, already in its second print, has already garnered much praise from academics and public intellectuals.
According to Professor Tal Ben-Shachar, renowned author and teacher of the “most popular course” in Harvard’s history:
“In a world where too many people are drifting, devoid of purpose, the message in this book could provide an antidote. An antidote to our collective struggle with mental health issues is a strong and compelling purpose. This brilliant and fascinating book could not come at a more important time. Our world is in desperate need of role models who exemplify integrity and goodness, who lead with purpose and passion. I cannot think of a better role model than the Lubavitcher Rebbe for politicians, managers, teachers, and parents.”
Best-selling author and Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University, Rabbi Benjamin Blech extolled the book, saying:
“Thanks to Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson who has added to his illustrious work on the thought and life of the Rebbe in his prolific previous books for this added comprehensive and illuminating new contribution, ON PURPOSE: Practical Wisdom for Designing A Life of Purpose – which adds to his luster as scribe for a spiritual giant who literally changed the history of contemporary Jewry from the pessimism of despair to the certainty of redemption.
Of the countless messages that impacted me upon reading the words of the Rebbe I must share what the author, as scribe, taught from the Rebbe for those struggling to find their personal mission in life: Ask not how can I change the world, but rather how can I change my world?
Perhaps you can best begin by reading this masterful book!”
The evening concluded with a book signing, as many in the audience lined up to sign their books and share congratulatory words with their Rabbi.
Numerous book launches were organized at Chabad houses around the world, including a special book tour in Florida, with stops at Chabad of Brickle, Lubavitch Aventura, Kendall, Bal Harbour, and Palm Beach, as well as appearances on the popular podcasts In Search of More, and From the Inside Out.
For more information about the book click here, and one can purchase the book here.
His Positivity Bias is so Gedicht that I only read a few paragraphs before becoming so inspired that it leads to action. People around me have noticed a change.
People notice the change in me without knowing why. Rabbi Kalmenson “brings it down.” Vague derhers replaced by clear inspiration. What a zechus, plus he’s a lot smarter than me.