Loneliness is a universal condition that affects all of us directly or through the people we love—now more than ever. In Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, the physician and former Surgeon General of the U. S. (2014 – 2017), illustrates the importance of human connection, the hidden impact of loneliness on our health, and the social power of community. Dr. Murthy wanted to address these issues because of the physical and emotional toll of social disconnection that he’d watched rising throughout society over the past few decades. What he could not anticipate, however, was the unprecedented test that our global community would face with COVID-19 just as the book was going to press.

At Sixth & I, Rabbi Aaron Potek teaches, counsels, and creates community among people in their 20s and 30s. As this demographic—often post-college but pre-parenthood—strives to establish careers, figure out what matters to them and who they want to be, and to find a partner, they’re also struggling with profound loneliness. Society is also seeing a weakening of social and community institutions including faith organizations, which historically offered people outlets for meaningful connections.

In a conversation centering on loneliness among those in their 20s and 30s and the role of communal and faith institutions to combat this public health issue, Dr. Murthy will also speak with Rabbi Aaron about how to strengthen our connections, well-being, and communities during this global crisis and beyond.