Scott Semel grew up like many American Jews – unaffiliated. “I knew we're not supposed to eat pork and shellfish, and we are supposed to celebrate Hanukkah and not the other one,” says Scott.

Later in life, Scott met Chabad and was introduced to Chayenu. “I started reading Tanya, and it's like, wow, this is really neat. There's a whole lot going on below the surface that I had no idea existed. It's just so cool to finally understand what's really going on. There's so much depth and I really want to learn that.”

Since subscribing to Chayenu, Scott has engaged in more structured study time every day. “There's a lot of meat to the diet of Chayenu. I really have to be disciplined to make time with all the other obligations, work and family life and so forth. But it's such a joy to make that time.”

Scott’s thinking has also changed. “I'm more aware of all the interconnectedness of everything in creation. If I would have said that two or three years ago, I would have thought that just sounds so bizarre. But now I realize from reading all the different sections every week and all the commentaries that there's just so much going on constantly and it never stops. It's just this continuous cycle of connections. So I think it helps me be more relaxed in that I don't get too upset about too much. I realize that I’ve always been open to that sense of connection, that there is more going on than we see, even if I don't understand it.” 

For example, Scott learned in Chayenu that your wealth and success comes from Hashem, not from your own efforts. You need to work to make a vessel, and then G-d fills that vessel. “I always had this awareness that I was not the top of the universe. I never thought that me slaving away at the job was the answer to anything. So this was very validating for my worldview.” 

Scott is grateful to you for supporting Chayenu. “As I learned through Chayenu, we’re all infinitely valuable. Each of us has a role to play. And as you mentioned, it's like I'm bringing a little bit of light into that darkness. I’ve had an awakening by learning Chayenu, thanks to your support.”