Dear everyone,

Tonight is bedikas chametz, when we search our homes in order to remove all traces of leavened bread. Chametz, dough full of air, traditionally symbolizes arrogance. We are asked to remove from our hearts all traces of self-centeredness and conceit.

Yet, only eight days later, we’ll be bringing chametz back to our homes again. Do we get permission to be self-centered right after Pesach?

It seems that this generation, with its iPhones, iPods, selfies, and Facebook where people get to tell each other all about the minute details of their lives, is overly focused on the I, on the self. Yet, every idea and trend that comes down to the world is a reflection of some spiritual reality. What are the spiritual benefits of this self-focus?

There is a famous story of Reb Zusha of Anipoli, who used to say, “When I get to the next world I won’t be asked, ‘Why weren’t you Moshe Rabbeinu?’ I’ll be asked, ‘Why weren’t you Zusha?'” Each one of us will be asked, “Why weren’t you the best you could be?”

Each one of us has a unique potential and a unique mission in this world. Everyone has unique strengths and talents, given to us by Hashem in order to fulfill our mission. These talents are not an excuse to inflate our egos. Yet, the more aware we are of them the better we can fulfill our mission in life.

Perhaps the message of this I-centered generation, the message of bringing chametz back into our homes after Pesach, is that we should get to know ourselves and be aware of our uniqueness, not for our own self-aggrandizement, but as a step in making our unique, personal contribution to this world.

May Hashem help all of us fulfill our mission! Chag kasher v’sameach!

Here’s the project I’m working on that I mentioned in my previous post: torahthroughliterature.com.

It’s very much a work in progress, but if you click on free giveaway you can get my Pesach story and a list of recommended Pesach books for children. (If you’re subscribed to my blog you already read the Pesach story — it’s Coming Together, Worlds Apart.)

Enjoy, and spread the word!
Happy Pesach cleaning!

Three articles in Jewish Home this week: about a boys’ acrobatics program at a local school, about the first graduation at the local yeshiva for adults (my husband took the pictures — he learns there, but hasn’t graduated yet), and about Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum’s visit to LA (it’s on page 6 here).

Coming soon, IY”H: a new project I’m working on, including a new website.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

We had some amazing people visiting Los Angeles in the past couple of weeks. I wrote about two of the inspiring events: Rabbi Shalom Arush’ talk at Nessah Synagogue and Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau’s visit to Beth Jacob Congregation.

Anyone interested in reading Jewish e-books? I’d like to put together a site, or a page on this one, that links to Amazon kindle pages for e-books written by frum authors. I’m always looking for those, especially when traveling, and would love to have them all in one place. Any suggestions for what to name the site? I’m thinking it would only list books that are halachically and hashkafically appropriate, but I don’t want to limit the audience to frum readers only. Non-frum Jews might like the books also. So how do I let the frum crowd know that the books are appropriate for them without scaring away the non-frum Jews, in the space of a few words? All suggestions would be much appreciated! And if I choose yours you can get a free e-book, IY”H, once the site is set up.

Have a wonderful Shabbos, and happy Purim!
Yehudis

I interviewed Sorele Brownstein, author of The Guilded Cage, a novel about Queen Esther. The article is in the magazine section of Jewish Press, on page 9. You can also read it in the online edition, page 115, here.

Another project in the works is an anthology of short stories by different authors on the subject of ahavas yisrael. If anyone is interested in contributing a story please be in touch with me.

Good Shabbos and chodesh tov!

Here and here are two articles in Jewish Home LA this week.

I’m still revising my novel, trying to find time for it, while my kids are getting excited about Purim and Pesach. I guess I’m also excited about Pesach — I already have some new books sitting in a box on top of the booksheves waiting till the house is chametz-free. Any excuse to get new books works in my house :). Now, the cleaning is a different question… It’s on my list of things to do. A long list.

Good Shabbos everyone!

Here is my latest article in the Jewish Home, about Rabbi Gordon, z”l, who passed away last week. I never met him, but it was very inspiring speaking to people about him. Why do we only learn about people’s greatness after they leave this world?

In other news, I recently finished the first draft of my first novel, and am now in the thick of revising. It’s an interesting process (do I really need this character? is this chapter suspenful enough? is this too much suspense? why does my character seem to either smile or nod in every other paragraph? and doesn’t the thesaurus have any other words for “smile?”). I’m learning a lot, not only about writing, but also about myself.

Coming up soon — two stories in Inyan and an article in the Purim issue of the Jewish Press. IY”H will keep you posted.

On another note, I’m taking a class on e-learning, and finding it fascinating. I keep thinking about how these ideas can be applied to Jewish learning.

And on yet another note, I’m learning the ropes around social media. I’ve opened an account on Twitter, so if anyone else is on it, let’s connect. And I’m growing my LinkedIn network, so if you’re there and we’re not connected yet, let’s connect there too.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!
Yehudis

Here is my latest article in Jewish Home LA. It was an inspiring evening that is hard to capture in a short article. Share in Torah is definitely an endeavor worthy of support.

Good Shabbos!

My story, The Return, is in this week’s Inyan. I’d love some feedback!

Here is my latest Jewish Home article, about an evening of inspiration we had here in Los Angeles. It’s a link, so I apologize to those subscribers who don’t have Internet.

Good Shabbos!

Here is my latest article in The Jewish Home, about Chaverim.

Also, heads up: my next story in Inyan is scheduled for January 6th.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!