B"H Shavua Tov, Reader!I learned something important from one of my former podcast guests, Simi Mandelbaum: treat yourself to something every Rosh Chodesh. Upon hearing this I made a mental note that since I like reading so much, I would treat myself to a Jewish book every Rosh Chodesh. I have a running list, or rather, an Amazon wish list full of potential me-to-me Rosh Chodesh gifts. But, when a friend mentioned that this book by Rabbi Sutton (another former guest on the show) had come out,...
21 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
B"H Hey, Reader!How are you doing? Over here⌠shattering some communal norms this week on Jewish Money Matters. This weekâs episode is uncomfortable â in the best possible way. I interviewed Rabbi Moshe Bane, President Emeritus of the Orthodox Union. Thereâs so much to learn from this conversation. But Iâll leave you with just one question it raised for me: Are we pursuing wealthâŚor lifestyle? And do we actually know the difference? Something to ponder, isnât it? Donât go at it alone. Tune in...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 1 min read
B"H Hey Reader, Hereâs a small â not so small â moment from last week that ended up meaning a lot more than I expected. I thought it might be helpful to you too. Last week one of my kids said something that surprised me. âLetâs go to the beach.â My usual reaction to that request? Ugh. Houston beach.It. ainât.this⌠Florida, two weeks ago Or this⌠Puerto Rico 2024 But I thought, âYou know what? Great idea. Letâs go!â Everyone packed up, and on our way out, I grabbed an old siddur (prayer book)....
about 1 month ago â˘Â 1 min read
B"H Hi Reader! Iâm trying to protect something rare right now. As you well know, Iâm in the middle of creating a long-form, legacy project - a book - while working in a world that constantly demands short-form output, urgency, and visibility. And some days, those two things feel in direct conflict.I came back from sabbatical with one sacred goal: to finish this book and get it into the world. I did write during sabbatical (despite the wild travel schedule). I made real progress. And Iâm still...
2 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
B"H Hi Reader! Quick note to say: I read all the replies to my last email - and wowza! That was a super warm welcome back. I really felt the love. Thank you. đ And if you were one of the many who wrote back to tell me what youâd like me to share from my 90-day Sabbatical â thank you for that too! Iâm sitting with all the responses and organizing what to share first as I ease back in. More on that soon.In the meantime, Iâm excited to share that my episode on the topic of Kosher Astrology with...
2 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
B"H âYou have a best seller out, Yael?â Well⌠not yet⌠Working on it! And I hope youâll help with that. But, I do have a best seller on my shelf - and I hope you do too. Itâs called the Torah. đ Now hereâs a story from two best sellers - mine and G-dâs. I once had a conversation off-line with a podcast guest who told me the story of her all glammed up đđđ in a ball room full of 200 Jewish women at a Jewish Federation Luncheon:â... the guest speaker gave an impactful presentation and she...
5 months ago â˘Â 2 min read
B"H Hey Reader! The two largest one-day stock market drops in history are: ⢠1929 â âBlack Tuesdayâ (October 29, 1929) ⢠1987 â âBlack Mondayâ (October 19, 1987) Thatâs 58 years apart. Does the number look familiar? The Hebrew name Noach (× ×) has the numerical value (gematria) of 58. After the chaos of the Flood, Noach (meaning rest, or comfort) brought the world comfort - menucha. But before the calm came destruction. The Flood wiped away a corrupt world to allow for renewal. Each of those...
6 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
B"H Chodesh Tov, Reader! As I mentioned earlier this week, this month is the so-called âno-hum-drumâ month. But is it really? Depends what you make of it. Tishrei was full of G-dâs "instructions" â shofar, apples and honey, fasting, praying, lulav, etrog, sukkah, dancing. Every day came with a mitzvah, a moment, a spiritual highlight. Then comes Cheshvan⌠and nada. Which is precisely why our sages called it Mar-Cheshvan â bitter Cheshvan. Nebach! Who wants to be remembered that way? But as my...
6 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
B"H Chodesh Tov, Reader! Saturday night/Sunday morning was an odd one for me. I had very little sleep, was up in the middle of the night (whoâs calling 4 am the morning?) to send my daughters and my husband off on trips. That evening had also hit my youngest pretty hard, realizing his sisters were leaving, and that he only had a few more days at home before he also left to school (itâs his first year away from home). So letâs just say that I wasnât in my best place that âmorningâ. In trying...
6 months ago â˘Â 3 min read
B"H Hi Reader, I hope you had a wonderful and beautiful Tishrei. As I reflect on the past whirlwind month of Tishrei, and look forward to the less intense month of Cheshvan, I imagine sending a letter to G-d. Next year, would He mind changing things around a bit for us Jewish women? đ Dear G-d, After many years â generations, actually â of solid experience managing schedules â our work schedules, our childrenâs extracurricular activities, family activities, the Holidays, etc. â weâve noticed...
6 months ago â˘Â 3 min read