Testimonials & Personal Stories
I went through the Journey into Manhood weekend in spring of 2006 - I was 25 years old at the time. I had been doing reparative therapy for several years, during which time my therapist would repeatedly urge me to go to JiM - he said that what I had to gain from JiM would be worth five sessions of therapy. So after years of prodding, I finally decided to register.
Attending JiM turned out to be one of the most important decisions of my life. The weekend itself opened my emotional floodgates, catapulting me into a cognitive-emotional process that, within a few months, led me to breaking a pattern of emotional dependency on other men - a pattern that had existed since as far back as I can remember, and would lead me to frustration, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Today I am stronger, happier and more fulfilled; and as I continue to do "my work," my awareness of my inherent human power of choice grows; I continue to take more and more responsibility for my life.
I am not "done" - I still have same-sex attractions, but these are more mild, less muddled emotionally, and usually gone after I come to see the man I'm attracted to as my equal and peer. Throughout this process I've also developed a stronger attraction towards women as well.
I recommend JiM to any man who knows deep down that living a gay life is not the best life for him.
- Yaakov
I arrived a bit afraid and confused in this whole process, I didn’t know what to expect. I told myself that there isn’t much to lose.
I arrived open, and I was surprised…
I didn’t know how my ‘true self’ is so amazing.
I didn’t know what strength there could really be inside a human being.
- Y
SSA has been a blessing for me, and not a curse as I thought in the past. It has given me the opportunity to work on myself and become a better me. JiM in particular gave a path leading me towards the Jewish life that I always dreamed of but never thought possible. It allowed me to believe in myself and taught me the secret of well-being: be authentic, be you, enjoy life. It taught me that lies destroy. Don't lie to yourself, listen to yourself.
I got married a few weeks ago with my whole heart. And JiM helped me find the strength within myself in order to take this step in my life.
- S