Here is my article in Jewish Home on the local conference for Orthodox mental health professionals. The talks were fascinating. Unfortunately, I could only include a fraction of them in the article.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Here, on page 40, is my article in Tachlis Magazine on Hava Siman Tov’s healthy cooking classes. If you’d like to connect with Hava, here is her Facebook page.

I’ve been really busy getting the older kids ready for camp (which, with teen girls, mostly involves shopping), and working on the final draft of my novel. Our schedule (or lack thereof) has been hectic this week, but I’m enjoying having all the kids home from school. If only I could find more time to get work done…

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

My first article in Tachlis Magazine is here, on page 40. It’s about the same sefer Torah that I wrote about in the Jewish Home, but it’s a much longer and more involved article, with more details about the process and the journey, and with great pictures.

Here is a short article in Jewish Home, about celebrating Yom Yerushalayim in Los Angeles.

My Chanuka novel will be published, IY”H, by the new Jewish Children’s Book Club! I’m hoping that it will be out in time for Chanuka. IY”H will keep you posted. Meanwhile, I’m running it by several rabbis and rebbetzins, and B”H, getting lots of positive and helpful feedback. Now I’m busy addressing the editor’s comments, big and small.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

It’s almost Shavuos, the ultimate wedding day, with Hashem as the groom, the Jewish people as the bride, and the Torah as the wedding ring. At matan Torah, Hashem picked up Har Sinai and held it over us as a chuppa. Har Sinai was decorated with flowers. The shofar and the thunder provided the sound effects. It must have been a beautiful and awesome experience. All the Jewish souls were there, and the experience is engraved deep into our souls, even if we don’t remember it consciously.

Like every relationship, the marriage between Hashem and the Jewish people needs conscious effort in order to succeed. And Shavuos is our yearly opportunity to renew our commitment.

It’s not always easy. I’m sure all of us at times wring our hands in desperation and feel ready to throw in the towel. But we push on, and keep going. Persistence is a Jewish trait, honed throughout centuries of exile. And ultimately, we know that it’s all worth it. Looking at the world around us, sinking deeper and deeper into relative morality, I feel fortunate to have the Torah with its absolutes.

May Shavuos this year be joyful and powerful, as we reconnect to Hashem and His Torah once again. Have a wonderful Shabbos and Yom Tov!

This article is about an upcoming local event where women and girls will be able to donate their hair to be made into wigs for children with cancer.

This article is about the new sefer Torah at a local shul and its journey to kivrei tzaddikim. A longer and more detailed article about it is coming up, IY”H.

Good Shabbos!