In honor of the month of Adar and upcoming Purim, my article, Persian Jews in Los Angeles: Carrying on the Tradition, is on page 48 of Tachlis Magazine, issue # 72. Enjoy!

I didn’t actually write all of them this week, but they got published this week. Here are the links:

THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE: A MISHMAR PROGRAM AT YPLA

Holistic Torah Study: Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum in Los Angeles

LEARNING LEAGUE: A PROGRAM FOR FATHERS AND SONS AT YAYOE

Spiritual Antidotes to Today’s Challenges: Mrs. Chani Juravel in Los Angeles

Uniting the World through Emunah: Junity’s Annual Unity Conference

and a short article about an upcoming event on page 9 of the paper.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Hi everyone,

Sorry I’ve fallen behind in updating my blog. Below are links to my latest Jewish Home articles:

WORKING FOR THE KLAL: A CONVERSATION WITH THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF THE OU MARTIN NACHIMSON

THE BAAL SHEM TOV ART NIGHT AT MAAYON YISROEL

Witness to History: A Judaica Exhibition Brings History Alive

Hope you enjoy them!

My story, Royal Reward, will be in Hamodia’s Inyan Magazine this week, IY”H. It’s historical fiction about the translation of the Torah into Greek, and is set in Alexandria, Egypt in the times of Ptolemy II. Hope you enjoy it!

Would you like to read an excerpt from my Chanuka novel, Swords and Scrolls? Tachlis Magazine published an excerpt and a Q&A with the author (that’s me :)) in this week’s issue.

Enjoy, and share with friends and family! Happy Chanuka!

The situation was impossible. The odds were next to none. The most powerful army in the world against a rag tag bunch of Jewish rebels who’d never held a weapon in their lives. And yet, they felt they had no other choice. They had to take a stand.

They won the war — because G-d was fighting their battles. In Haneiros Hallalu that we sing while lighting the Chanuka menorah, we thank G-d “for the miracles and wonders, for the salvations and the battles that You performed for our forefathers in those days at this time, through the hand of Your holy kohanim.” The kohanim were an instrument, a vessel through which the miracle took place. That was their greatness — that they were able to give up their own identities and become the agents of G-d’s will in this world. Kohanim, descendants of Aharon, who are lovers of peace. Kohanim, who strictly observe the laws of ritual purity and stay far away from death’s touch, not attending funerals except for close relatives, not visiting cemeteries. Those holy people overcame their natural inclinations and did what they felt was right. By giving up their own desires, they allowed G-d to take charge. And once G-d is fighting the battles nothing is impossible.

Sometimes, when the world seems enveloped in darkness, we feel powerless to make a difference. But we can remind ourselves that it is G-d Who is fighting our battles. We don’t need to worry about our odds. We just need to do what’s right, whether or not it comes naturally to us.

May the light of our Chanuka candles illuminate the world with Divine light! Happy Chanuka!

Three articles in Jewish Home this week: on a documentary about the Jewish community of Kastoria, Greece, on the OU West Coast Convention, and on the Junity marriage conference.

Jewish Home also printed the first review of my book, Swords and Scrolls: book review.

If you’ve read the book hope you enjoyed it. You can leave your review at the Goodreads Swords and Scrolls page

If you haven’t had a chance to buy it yet, here’s the link again: Swords and Scrolls.

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!