In an increasingly polarized and fast-paced world, many people report feeling more disconnected than ever. Despite constant digital contact, forming and sustaining meaningful friendships as adults can feel surprisingly difficult. In the age of AI, overwhelm, and social fragmentation, the question isn’t whether connection matters — it’s how we create and maintain it in real, human ways.

In his recent book, Friendship in the Age of Loneliness, workplace belonging keynote speaker Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky* invites us to rethink friendship as an essential part of a well-lived life. In this talk, Smiley will share practical, accessible habits for building meaningful connections, making new friends as adults, and deepening relationships beyond work and family roles. With warmth and optimism, he explores how small, intentional acts can strengthen community, counter isolation, and help us show up for one another more fully. At its core, this conversation is a reminder that nurturing friendship isn’t an extra — it’s a vital practice for living with greater purpose and connection in today’s disconnected world.

Reception and book signing to follow event. Purchase Smiley's book here. 

FOR MEMBERS OF CONGREGATION RODEF SHOLOM ONLY: 
If you're in need of virtual options, reach out to mhi@rodefsholom.org.

Rodef Sholom’s REAL Mental Health Initiative is generously supported by the Laszlo N. Tauber Family Foundation.

*Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and bestselling author whose work focuses on belonging, human connection, and friendship in modern life. He is the author of Friendship in the Age of Loneliness and has spoken to audiences around the world on how to build more connected, engaged communities