Blog
An IDF Soldier with a Wife and 6 Kids in Brooklyn by Miryam Swerdlov
My friend Sarah’s son served in the IDF when he was a teenager. Since then he got married, they had 6 children and moved to Crown Heights. When the war broke out on October 7th, he told his wife that if he gets a call from the army that he has to go do reserve duty. He has a wife and six kids, so he’s exempt from serving.. But he felt the calling. He felt this is something he has to do. He got drafted for reserve duty. And he’s been there since October 9th. And then a week ago he was told that in two weeks he’s getting three...
read moreLittle Hamantaschen for Little Purim
My daughter Tsofia’s brilliant idea for Purim Katan. (In years when there are 2 Adars, the day of Purim in the 1st Adar, like today, is called “Purim Katan.”) Shabbat Shalom and Purim (Katan)...
read more
El Al’s New Ad: From South America Trek to Gaza Strip (ENGLISH TRANSLATION)
We all heard stories about Israelis who were on their post-army trek and then rushed back without a second thought on October 7th to protect their homeland. Trekkers turned soldiers are the subject of this heartwarming El Al ad. May all the soldiers come home safe and sound and victorious over our enemies, please...
read moreOctober 7th Survivors Sing Song of Hope and Faith
I have watched this several times, and each time I get tears in my eyes. This is a special Kululam (an Israeli initiative bringing together large crowds of Israelis to sing a song together) for the survivors of Kibbutz Beeri as well as the members of Kibbutz Hatserim in the Negev, the kibbutz that took in Kibbutz Beeri following the massacre, even changing the sign at the entrance to “Kibbutz Hatserim-Beeri.” This song of hope and belief from these survivors who have been eyewitnesses to humanity at its worst, and their generous...
read more9 Months after the Accident by Adina Rachel Leibowitz
[Two weeks ago the neighborhood coordinator asked me to send a meal to Adina Rachel following the birth of a baby girl, and the very next day I recognized her when I ran into her at shul. Adina Rachel shared her difficult yet empowering and inspiring story behind this birth with me and she graciously agreed to share it with you as well.] I got married when I was 30, later than I’d hoped. But B”H, we had children right away, a boy named David Akiva followed soon after by an adorable girl named Cherut. Last spring, a few days...
read moreMy Daughter’s New Saying
My daughter Moriya is a national-service girl who travels all around Israel doing outward-bound type workshops with kids at risk. Often things don’t go exactly the way she planned. Often, in fact, things don’t go the way she planned AT ALL. So she made up a new saying, which she says to herself when things don’t work out the way she’d hoped. Man Plans God laughs And man can either laugh with God Or cry all alone
read moreA Walking Miracle
https://jewishmom.com/wp-content/uploads/d41f908d-b407-4748-af19-387a9523a150.mp4 After losing a leg in combat, this soldier thought he would never walk again. But B”H thanks to Israeli medical know-how and iron-clad determination and faith, he is now walking! There are SO many injured soldiers, including many who have lost limbs. This video gives me hope that despite suffering a devastating injury they will be able to live normal lives, please God!
read moreAmen, Fruma Chava!
For many years now, every Friday I’ve been receiving a text message from Ner Echad with a name to pray for while I light Shabbat candles. Every name arrives with that woman’s most fervent request in life. I’ve prayed for hundreds of women and their requests over the years, and they’re generally those garden-variety personal requests we all have. For health. For marital harmony. For Divine assistance. For financial wellbeing. For an unmarried daughter to find her spouse (I daven extra hard whenever I get that one, cause...
read more