When to Apologize? When to Forgive? Why it Might Matter

with Jack Kugelmass

Most of us have been confronted with a dilemma that approximates the following scenarios: You had an interaction with someone; you sensed by their reaction to you that they felt hurt by your words; yet you had no intention of causing any harm. Should you apologize? Or, suppose you have been hurt in some way – may be ignored or physically wounded. Do you care if the perpetrator apologizes? Do you feel a need to offer forgiveness to the perpetrator for the harm they caused? These are but two of many scenarios we may be thinking about on this Day of Atonement. Join our study group to explore the apologize/forgive conundrum from the perspective of individuals and groups.

HBT Members: for the zoom link to this study session, please go to holyblossom.org/hhd

Jack Kugelmass is a long-time member of Holy Blossom Temple. He is also a professional social worker who has had a career-long interest in Jewish family life and how to help families with transacting the many life events that almost all of us face at one time or another. He currently facilitates Temple’s Bereavement Discussion Group. Jack is a graduate of McGill University and The University of Michigan School of Social Work.