When you put on these glasses, mitzvos aren’t a list of obligations. They’re the most joyful way to acknowledge all the good. Ah, the sounds of Elul. No sooner have we washed the last forgotten beach towel and packed up the trendy knapsacks with shiny new 5-Star notebooks and bubble gum erasers, and suddenly we’re…
inspiration
Embracing Elul: Forty Different Ideas for Self-Improvement
What should I do to make the next forty days count? Some of these ideas might work for you. Rosh Chodesh Elul signals the beginning of the season of introspection. It’s hard, in the whirlwind of school beginning and the approaching yamim tovim, to set aside time and brain space for the true avodah of…
Nine Ways to Achieve a Productive and Refreshing Summer
How do we turn our “Vacation” into a real “Bein Hazemanim?” It’s that time of year that has children all over celebrating, and many adults too. Even if you aren’t a teacher, there is something exhilarating about summer vacation, whether it’s the ability to sleep a little bit later, fewer buses to catch, less homework…
Yes, You Are a Good Mom
Lots of moms are hard on themselves and it isn’t productive. You can change your thought process and turn the narrative around. “Maybe I’m Just A Bad Mommy…” This statement makes my heart hurt. Sometimes, I receive emails from mothers: “What if my kid isn’t complex. What if I’m just a bad mom…” If this is a…
How to Raise Children Who Feel Happiness in Their Torah Life
As mothers, the way we interact with our children can mean everything in the way they view life as a Torah Jew. One of most moving pieces I’ve read about the unforgettable Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein zt”l was a young woman’s account of how he radically changed her perspective on living a Torah life. He did…
Echoes of Rabbi Wallerstein’s Words
What I learned from the most memorable of Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein’s zt”l shiurim. I am nowhere near able to capture or summarize who was Rabbi Wallerstein, what he did, nor even what we learn from him and the scope of what we have lost. I am just compelled to share some notes from my files…
11 Ways to Conquer (and Enjoy) Cleaning for Pesach
Let’s put the joy, meaning and fulfillment into our Pesach cleaning. We are all doing it anyway, and getting so much sechar in the process, we may as well make the most of it and turn the experience into a positive one all around. I have surprisingly fond memories of Pesach cleaning growing up. This…
What Kind of Mask Do You Wear?
This Purim, let’s take a peak at ourselves beneath the facade. As Purim dawns, the young and young at heart will don their masks and transform their persona into the hero, villain or neutral character of their choice. And we of the more adult variety smile indulgently as they pretend to be someone they are…
Deep Meaningful Conversations: a Meaningful Minute podcast by frum women, for frum women!
Learn more about the new Deep Meaningful Conversations podcast, hosted by Alex Fleksher and Rivki Silver here! Join Alex and Rivki as they explore the topics that impact the lives of frum women through, you guessed it, deep meaningful conversations with normal frum women, just like you. I’m the first to admit that I’m a big…
Are You Good at Receiving? (Funny Question?)
You might think that is a funny question. But, in truth, some of us are really not good at it. Ever wonder why some people get the help they need when they need it, without having to twist anyone’s arm off to get it? Ever wonder why some people just receive gifts, constantly? Receiving is…