Chodesh tov! As it’s now the month of Kislev, I’d like to take this opportunity to update you on my YA Chanuka trilogy. The first two books, Swords and Scrolls and Spies and Scholars, are currently available at your local book stores and from Feldheim and are on the Black Friday sale today.

The third book, Secret and Sacred, with a newly updated cover, will soon be available in stores and from Feldheim also, IY”H.

Hope these books will help you and your children prepare for Chanuka and experience this beautiful holiday in a more meaningful way! Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Exciting news: six of my stories set in the times of the Tanach are now available as an e-book! All the stories were originally published in Hamodia’s Inyan Magazine, and with their permission, I’ve used their original illustrations and typesetting in the e-boook, The Return and Other Stories.

The e-book is available in two formats: PDF and Amazon kindle. It is meant to be used as part of the Ani VeAmi curriculum, but the stories will appeal to anyone who has studied Tanach, whether young or old, homeschooling or not.

Also, my article on the upcoming Israel Gap Year Fair was in last week’s Jewish Home, on page 5. If you know anyone thinking of spending a year in Israel, the fair offers a wealth of information.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

My story, For the Informers, is in Hamodia’s Sukkos Story Supplement. Hope you enjoy it!

Have a wonderful Shabbos and an amazing Yom Tov!

My story, Foreign Soil, is in next week’s Hamodia’s Inyan Magazine, right after Rosh Hashana.

Here is my article on the local Project Focus event.

Last, but not least, I’d like to wish each and every one of my readers kesiva vechasima tova and a happy, healthy year!

Good Shabbos!

They say that Reb Simcha Bunim of Peschischa used to say that one should have two pockets. On one pocket, it should say, “The world was created for me.” On the other, it should say, “I am but dust and ashes.”

As we approach Rosh Hashana and reflect on the past year, it helps to keep both perspectives in mind. On the one hand, each of us was created with tremendous potential to change the world. On the other hand, there are things in this world that are outside of our control and are not up to us to change.

While it’s important to set goals for ourselves for the upcoming year, it is also important not to blame ourselves for those aspects of last year’s goals that did not materialize. We can try, but we have no control over the outcome. And the best we can do this Elul is to commit to try again. “It is not up to us to finish the work, yet we are not free to refrain from it” (Pirkei Avos 2:21).

For those who have room in their hearts and their homes for a tremendous chessed, here’s my article on the need for Jewish foster parents in Los Angeles.

Another inspiring project is Beit Nesicha — a residental treatment program for Jewish women.

And Sharsheret’s Pink Challah Bake was also inspiring.

My story, Reviving Hope, is in Hamodia’s Inyan Magazine this week. It’s about rebuilding the Beis Hamikdash after galus Bavel. Hope you enjoy it.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

My article, On the Front Lines: Life of a Hospital Chaplain is in the latest issue of Kesher Magazine. Rabbi Weiner is very inspiring!

Have a wonderful Shabbos, and an easy and meaningful fast!

My two-part story, Friends and Foes, will be in this and next week’s issues of Hamodia’s Inyan Magazine, IY”H. The story is set in besieged Yerushalayim and is based on the midrashim about Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai. Hope you find it enjoyable and inspiring.

My Jewish homeschool curriculum guides are on a giveaway this week at Ani VeAmi. Here is a video review of the guides by Chana Voola of Cheder at Home. This is your chance to win one of them for free, including the upcoming Talmud Guide that I’m currently working on.

And here are my Jewish Home articles from the past few weeks:

OU West Coast Gala Banquet Recognizes Rabbi and Mrs. Kalinsky and Pat’s Restaurant and Catering

New Sefer Torah for Children is Dedicated at Kol Avrohom

The Los Angeles Premier of Soon By You at The Community Shul

Sorry I’ve gotten behind on updating my blog. Here are my last latest articles:

Four articles in the Jewish Home last week:

LOCAL EXPERT ADDRESSES OUR SECURITY NEEDS

TEACH CA WORKS TO INCREASE STATE SECURITY FUNDING FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

FEMININE TORAH FROM BAT AYIN COMES TO LOS ANGELES

LAG B’OMER CONCERT UNITES THE GREATER LOS ANGELES JEWISH COMMUNITY

An article from the previous issue of Jewish Home:

MENTAL HEALTH PANEL ADDRESSES PRESSING QUESTIONS

(There was also an article in that same issue about the upcoming Israel Festival, but that already took place.)

I’ve also been writing for a new publication, Kesher Magazine, local to LA. The previous issue had two of my articles related to the attack at Chabad of Poway. The upcoming issue, IY”H, will have an article about the life of a hospital chaplain.

My story, To Remain Free, is in Hamodia’s Story Supplement. Hope you enjoy it!

And here is my article in Jewish Home: LOCAL SCHOOLS SEND PESACH PACKAGES TO JEWS IN THE MILITARY

Chag kasher vesameach! Have a wonderful, liberating Yom Tov!