Living Character Strengths

This webinar is presented by Afroze Anjum, Psy.D., C.Psych
Date: Monday, November 23, 2026
Time: 4:00 pm PT/5:00 pm MT/ 6:00 pm CT/7:00 pm ET

     
Webinar length is approx. 90 mins. The ZOOM link will be sent in a registration confirmation email and will be emailed directly to you a few days before the event.

Description

This interactive workshop will explore the intersection of ancient sacred wisdom and contemporary psychological science. Drawing on selected examples from the Islamic tradition with meaningful connections to Jewish history and shared prophetic traditions, the session will examine how timeless narratives illuminate character strengths, resilience, meaning, humility, perspective, moral courage, and the responsible use of power.

These stories will be placed in conversation with contemporary research in positive psychology, character strengths, resilience, and meaning-making, highlighting how ancient wisdom and modern science can offer complementary perspectives on human flourishing.

The workshop will use narratives, brief video clips, and small-group discussions to invite participants to identify the strengths and psychological processes embedded in the narratives and reflect on their relevance to our lives.

Objectives:

1. Explore how selected sacred narratives illustrate character strengths such as humility, courage, perspective, justice, and wisdom.
2. Connect ancient wisdom with contemporary psychological research on character strengths, resilience, and meaning-making.
3. Reflect on the deep historical, spiritual, and ethical connections between Judaism and Islam, using shared narratives and values as a foundation for dialogue and mutual understanding.

Afroze Anjum, Psy.D., C.Psych., is a licensed school psychologist at the Toronto District School Board. Her expertise includes strengths-based, school-based interventions that integrate character strengths, resilience, mindfulness, and adaptive problem-solving to support children and youth experiencing challenges such as anxiety and depression. She has worked as a researcher and training facilitator for the Penn Resilience Program and the Positive Psychology for Youth Project and is co-author of the Strengths-Based Resilience (SBR) Program.

More recently, Afroze has become increasingly interested in the intersection of spirituality, meaning, and well-being, particularly in a world where material abundance does not always translate into a sense of purpose, connection, or flourishing. Her work explores how enduring sources of wisdom and meaning can complement contemporary psychological science in supporting human well-being.