Years ago I listened to a shiur about the ushpizin by Mrs. Shira Smiles and since then, I have felt more tangibly the specialness of sitting in the succah. The air is the air of Gan Eden. I’m excited for Succos! When I have my own succah to decorate, here’s what I think it needs: Posters beruchim haba’im …
I read the most beautiful quote from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l about forgiveness: Forgiveness means that we are not destined endlessly to replay the grievances of yesterday. It is the ability to live with the past without being held captive by the past. It would not be an exaggeration to say that forgiveness is the most compelling testimony to …
On Motzoei Yom Kippur 2020, I started learning a lesson a day of shmiras haloshon and posting it on our family chat. I would record myself reading from Guard Your Tongue by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin. Once we finished the book, I bought Master Your Words, Master Your Life by Chana Nestlebaum and continued with that. In January (2022) I conked …
This time of year, I have been known to write about my vision for the year ahead. I’m not doing that this year. After years of focusing lots of energy on visioning and manifesting and trying to bring in the best year ever, I want to take it one day at a time, whatever each day brings. My friend …
This summer I turned thirty, and this summer I also moved back to my parents’ house. Wham-bam. Near the end of our lease, I made the decision not to sign it again. It was time for a change. I learned a tremendous amount, grew so much, and cannot recommend moving out of your parent’s house highly enough. However, that …
Something I’m thinking about: we can have a meaningful impact on other people’s children, just by being healthy, safe adults who take an interest in them. That is significant — children thrive when adults provide love, safety, consistency, positive role modeling, and positive regard. To me this is mothering before becoming a mother, to be this motherly force on the …
I have had so many theories over the years about who my husband is and why I haven’t met him yet (unless I have met him)? Do you ever think like this? He must be… Older (than I’ve ever dated). Younger (than I’ve ever dated). Married. Becoming frum. From a totally different background or community and we have …
It made me sad to read that Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday. I thought the new King’s statement was so moving, as was Prince William’s. The Queen was only about a year and a half older than my grandfather, and he spent his formative years in England and maintained certain British sensibilities his whole life, so in some …
One of my very favorite books is Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace, set in 1912 Minnesota. Emily has just graduated from high school, and unlike all her college-bound friends, she is staying home to care for her grandfather who raised her. As fall turns to winter, Emily is depressed and lonely. She feels stuck, watching everyone else …
Recently I asked a friend to contact someone we both know and find out if he’d go out with me. It was a reach, and he said no. I was definitely very disappointed. But instead of being hard on myself for putting myself out there, I remembered the famous Wayne Gretzky line: “You miss one hundred percent of the shots …
