Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived with her mother at the edge of the forest. Her grandmother lived on the other side of the forest. One day, the mother said to the little girl, “I am sending you on a very important mission. Grandma needs this basket. You’ll have to go through the forest to deliver it. Please be careful, and don’t get distracted by other things in the forest.”

The girl reassured her mother that she would deliver the basket to Grandma safely. She set out on her way, walking deeper and deeper into the forest. She tried to focus on her goal, but many things came up on the way. A squirrel invited her to play a game, convincing her that no one in their right mind could possibly come through the forest without playing this amazing game. A deer dared her to race him, explaining to her that it was terribly important. When the girl put her basket down — only for a moment, a chipmunk stole it, and the girl had to chase him to get it back.

Will the girl get to Grandma’s house before Grandma is swallowed by the big bad wolf?

This is the journey of our soul as it comes down to this world, entrusted with a special mission. The soul is committed to reach its destination, but many distractions come along the way. On an average day, do we even remember that we are in this world on a mission? Or do we get pulled into everything else going on in our lives?

It’s almost Rosh Hashana, time to reevaluate our priorities and refocus on our goals. Will we renew the commitment that our souls made before they came down to the world?

Here and here are two articles in Jewish Home about the amazing work of the local Hatzolah.

Heads up — my story, Our Light Will Shine, will be in Hamodia’s Sukkos story supplement, IY”H.

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

My article about a local semicha program whose students can now earn a Bachelor’s degree is in Jewish Home this week.

Also, the updated Elul/Tishrei book list, which includes books not in the Torah through Literature e-book, is now available here. Hope you find it helpful!

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

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!