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!

It’s vacation time, and my children and I are enjoying spontaneity, lack of formal schedule, exploring places we’ve never been to, painting their rooms, and just spending lots of time together as a family. I haven’t had much time to work, but some articles were published this week, though the one in The Tachlis Magazine I wrote week ago: Being Jewish in Tokyo (page 48).

Two articles in Jewish Home LA: on Israel advocacy on campus at University of California, Irvine and on Los Angeles volunteers in Israel helping feed the poor.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Two short articles in Jewish Home this week: on the appointment of new dean at Touro College LA and on the new KosherQuest app that helps access kashrus information on the go.

My novel, Swords and Scrolls, is almost ready to go to print! I received a proof, my daughters and I went through it, found some typos and the like, and sent in the corrections. IY”H will keep you posted. For now, here’s the blurb from the back cover:

It’s not easy being a teenager in 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? Will Elisha win the battle raging in his soul?

Have a wonderful Shabbos and an easy and meaningful fast!

In case you didn’t get a chance to read this story in Inyan last year, I just put it up online. If you’re on the Torah through Literature mailing list you should be getting the link in your email.

Otherwise, you can get it here.

If you don’t have internet access please email me directly and I’ll be happy to email it to you as an attachment.

The story is about the Beis Hamikdash — timely for the Nine Days. Hope you enjoy it!

Hi everyone!

Hope you had an easy and meaningful fast. It was a little lively here, with the heat outside too much to handle without a drink, and with certain kids getting bored enough to wash the bathtub. Of course, getting themselves and everything around them not only wet, but covered in piles of soap bubbles.

I’ve been thinking that with the Three Weeks, with all the sadness and sorrow, comes hope. Once something is destroyed completely there is a possibility for rebuilding. Somewhere in between the soap bubbles, the children and I learned about the Beis Hamikdash and looked at pictures and diagrams. Our collective hearts and souls are longing to be back in the special place where the Divine Presence rests, where Heaven touches earth. Feeling this longing is what the Three Weeks are all about.

Speaking of rebuilding, my story, Rebuilding the Wall, will be published in this week’s Hamodia’s Inyan Magazine, IY”H. I actually wrote it last summer, but it’s just as appropriate for this time of the year.

My book is, B”H, coming along. Officially named Swords and Shields, it should be out before Chanuka, IY”H.

Another project I’ve been working on, especially useful when traveling, is a list of Jewish books available on kindle. Here it is: www.kosherjewishebooks.com.

Have a wonderful week!

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!