The words “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” are written in the Torah at least twenty times. We see the same refrain at least thirteen times in Psalms. There are twenty-six opportunities to read these encouraging words from the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah—not to mention the other, thirty-plus times we are commanded: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” (Exodus 14:13) The Torah’s brilliance is highlighted by the fact that we are not only instructed not to be afraid, but we are also told: “Do not be discouraged.” Is that asking too much ..read more

Yeah! The day has arrived! Today is Publication Day! And because it is Publication Day…there have been a few hiccups. Hopefully, Amazon will get it straightened out by tomorrow, BUT in the meantime… And because of those pesky algorithms… Daily Journal for Jewish Women, Daily Journal for Jewish Women, Daily Journal for Jewish Women, Daily Journal for Jewish Women, Daily Journal for Jewish Women, Daily Journal for Jewish Women, Daily Journal for Jewish Women… Just a little humor, folks. I guess I’ve had too much pumpkin pie… I hope you check out the new book. I’m excited to hear what you thin ..read more

Publication Day is fast approaching! Do you know what to expect when you purchase a copy of “From Meidelach to Matriarchs: A Journal~ Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today” ? I’ll let you in on the little secret… This book will introduce you to one hundred amazing women. You will learn a bit of their story and then address some thought-provoking questions. Perhaps introduce is the wrong word—let’s just say that I didn’t know some of these ladies. Have you heard of: Sadie American, Tikvah Alper, Anita Brenner, Claudia Douek, Shamsi Hekmat, Miriam Michaelson, or Hannah Sen? That’s t ..read more

I’ve been writing about my upcoming release for a few weeks now. I’ve called it a Daily Journal, a Daily Devotional, even a Motivational Journal. I talked about expressive writing, introspection, and guidance for your spiritual journey. Are you asking yourself, “So, what is it exactly?” With Publication Day fast approaching, I thought I’d share an example of just one of the ladies showcased in From Meidelach to Matriarchs: A Journal~ Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today. Let me introduce you to Annie “Londonderry” Kopchovsky ~ 1870-1947 Annie was born in Latvia to Beatrice and Le ..read more

As a great fan of Jane Austen, it is not hard to imagine that I devour all sorts of material about the author and her life. Jane was the daughter of an Anglican clergyman. Her novels, as well as her personal correspondence highlight her connection to her faith. In reading fan-fiction and following like-minded authors who are fans of Austen’s work, I’ve come across the practice of keeping a devotional. To be honest, I had to do some research on the subject. I thought it might just be a Christian practice. But, as I worked on my latest project, From Meidelach to Matriarchs~ A Journal, I found th ..read more

The last blog post discussed the concept of expressive writing and my hopes for publishing something unique and thought provoking. This project is not a historical fiction based in Russia or Argentina. It’s not a Regency Romance in keeping with my love for Jane Austen. My sixth publication is a daily journal about—and more importantly, for—Jewish women. It will provide a bit of structure and a comfortable environment to reflect upon historical accomplishments, religious identity, moral questions, life cycle events, and so much more. If you were to search for a daily journal on Amazon, the resu ..read more

I originally drafted this up a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn’t bring myself to share it due to the horrific situation in Israel. Reading enlightening work shared by other authors, and coming across requests for uplifting posts, I’ve decided to take make this a public piece. In recent years, journal writing, or engaging in expressive writing, has been proven to have a positive impact on the participant. It helps us be more mindful, to be more grateful. It helps improve focus and alleviates stress. But studies have shown that simply writing onto a blank page doesn’t necessarily produce ..read more

Last week, I was prepared to share some happy news with this audience. Last week, I was going to reveal my latest project with all the enthusiasm and (anxious) hope typical of a would-be author. However, last week, we were trying to absorb the horrific news coming from Israel. We were trying to understand how these barbaric acts were taking place—after we Jews had pledged NEVER AGAIN. I typed the words “we Jews,” not “the world.” That was not a typographical error. That was intentional, because apparently “the world” hasn’t joined us in pledging NEVER AGAIN. The world doesn’t seem to understan ..read more

To commemorate Argentina’s celebration of the May Revolution (el 25 de Mayo), I’m sharing a few images and various snippets from Celestial Persuasion that highlight Jose de San Martin~ Liberator of South America. I hope you enjoy the post, and as my compatriots say, “Viva la Patria!” Excerpt *** “Do allow me the honor, your lordship, to further expound on the matter,” said San Martín, his speech colored with a Spanish flair. “Madam, many of my companions were born in the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata. At a very young age I was sent to Spain to complete my education and have pursued a military ..read more

Joining me today on the blog is author, Magdalena Ball.  Magdalena, or Maggie as I’ve taken the liberty to call her, is a novelist, poet, reviewer and interviewer who grew up on Lenape land (NY) in the US, and currently lives and writes on Awabakal land. She is Managing Editor of Compulsive Reader, Vice President of Flying Island, and her work has been widely published in literary journals such as Meanjin, Cordite, and Westerly, along with many anthologies. She is the author of a number of fiction and poetry books published in Australia and overseas. From Argentina to Israel, from acros ..read more