Hi everyone!

Sorry for disappearing — I’ve been busy working on my sequel to Swords and Scrolls. It’s almost done! Two of my kids read it and said that it was even better than the first book :). IY”H will keep you posted once it’s out.

Meanwhile, I’m back to Jewish Home articles. Three this week: on Rabbi Stulberger, head of Valley Torah High School, on holistic self-defense for the Jewish community, and on the upcoming SimXa Shabbaton for Russian speaking Jews and their families — please come if you’re able to. More info here.

Have a wonderful Shabbos, and an inspiring month of Kislev!

Hello everyone,

Hope everybody had a nice Sukkos. My Chanuka novel, Swords and Scrolls, is now available from the Jewish Children’s Book Club. It is intended for teens and adults. Here is the description from the web site:

Eretz Yisrael in the days of King Antiochus: Fifteen year old Elisha is curious about the mysterious new building in Yerushalayim, while his newly married cousin Rivka is suspicious of the changes that threaten to disturb her peaceful existence. Rumors abound that a large army is on its way. Will Rivka have the courage to stand up for her beliefs and will Elisha win the battle raging in his soul? includes historical notes.

You can purchase the book here. Or, if you don’t have internet access, please email me for info.

Hope you enjoy it. Feedback very much welcome!

My story, Our Light Will Shine, is in Hamodia’s Sukkos Story Supplement. It’s historical fiction, set in Chanuka times, with a glimpse into the simchas beis hashoeva in the Beis Hamikdash.

In Jewish Home this week: an article about addiction and a new Jewish rehab in the Greater LA area, an inspiring story about a Jewish woman with no family who received a proper Jewish burial after weeks of legal hurdles, and an article about the upcoming Israel Gap Year Fair in Los Angeles, on page 6 of the Sukkos edition of the Jewish Home.

Have a wonderful Shabbos and an amazing Yom Tov!

This article about shaatnez testing was fascinating to research. I learned a lot. This article is about a campaign to save a life of a young father in our community who needs a bone marrow transplant. May he have a refuah sheleima!

Have a wonderful Shabbos, and a healthy and sweet year!

This is a rare treat. My Beis Hamikdash stories in Hamodia are not available online, and I am not allowed to put them up online until a year after publication. Tachlis Magazine, on the other hand, is online and free, so you can read my story, Reaching the Heights, immediately (on page 78). This is the first time it’s being published. Hope you enjoy it and find it inspiring!

Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived with her mother at the edge of the forest. Her grandmother lived on the other side of the forest. One day, the mother said to the little girl, “I am sending you on a very important mission. Grandma needs this basket. You’ll have to go through the forest to deliver it. Please be careful, and don’t get distracted by other things in the forest.”

The girl reassured her mother that she would deliver the basket to Grandma safely. She set out on her way, walking deeper and deeper into the forest. She tried to focus on her goal, but many things came up on the way. A squirrel invited her to play a game, convincing her that no one in their right mind could possibly come through the forest without playing this amazing game. A deer dared her to race him, explaining to her that it was terribly important. When the girl put her basket down — only for a moment, a chipmunk stole it, and the girl had to chase him to get it back.

Will the girl get to Grandma’s house before Grandma is swallowed by the big bad wolf?

This is the journey of our soul as it comes down to this world, entrusted with a special mission. The soul is committed to reach its destination, but many distractions come along the way. On an average day, do we even remember that we are in this world on a mission? Or do we get pulled into everything else going on in our lives?

It’s almost Rosh Hashana, time to reevaluate our priorities and refocus on our goals. Will we renew the commitment that our souls made before they came down to the world?

Here and here are two articles in Jewish Home about the amazing work of the local Hatzolah.

Heads up — my story, Our Light Will Shine, will be in Hamodia’s Sukkos story supplement, IY”H.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

My article about a local semicha program whose students can now earn a Bachelor’s degree is in Jewish Home this week.

Also, the updated Elul/Tishrei book list, which includes books not in the Torah through Literature e-book, is now available here. Hope you find it helpful!

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

This article is about helping the mentally ill in our community — an important and often neglected topic. I also wrote a short article about the upcoming Hatzolah event, on page 5 of the current issue of Jewish Home LA.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

My article about Rabbi Eidlitz’ work at KosherQuest is on page 87 of the e-edition of Jewish Press this week.

Second proof of my book, Swords and Scrolls, looks great! The Jewish Children’s Book Club website is under construction. IY”H will let you know when it’s up and running and you can start ordering!

Good Shabbos!