It is the new Jewish month of Shevat, and the sun is setting here in Eretz Yisrael as my son modge-podges a Star Wars puzzle he put together over Shabbat. I can smell glue fumes so I open the windows. Now I can hear birds singing quietly in the trees surrounding my house. And it’s … Continue reading Inner darkness leads to greater light on the other side
It was a good but challenging week, trying to get more clarity on who I am and how to best use my skills for parnassah. Four months ago I made Aliyah with my family. As an Oleh Hadasha, I’ve been getting free business consulting sessions during this transition. It’s one of the many benefits we … Continue reading Gaining Clarity Along the Journey
I was born with severe strabismus and astigmatism in both eyes. By age three, I had two surgeries and wore very thick glasses. Because of the bullying, at age nine, I got hard contact lenses. The eye doctor said I was his youngest patient ever. I was so grateful for those contact lenses, even though … Continue reading Darkness to Light: Poor Vision and Trauma Lead to Spiritual Insights
After Chanukah and our trip to Jerusalem, I felt a dip in spirituality and my overall mood. And that’s okay. I don’t have anything profound to share, nor am I looking for advice. It’s been a decades-long journey of syncing my mind, body and soul. And I usually try to seek G-d, and light, even … Continue reading O my soul, why are you in turmoil within me?
I walked around Yad Vashem amidst the crowds and tours, somewhat detached from what I was seeing, at first. It felt tragically surreal, and I was nauseous. But I assume I was as stone-faced as those around me, trying to grasp what we were experiencing. Until I saw the wooden bunk beds, and across from … Continue reading Visiting Yad Vashem
I’m still trying to find adequate words to express the magnitude of what I experienced yesterday. We went underneath the Kotel, the site of our Beis HaMikdash, and took a newly created tour of the ancient tunnels. We saw spaces and structures that were only discovered within the past few years. My body and mind … Continue reading Beis HaMikdash Tunnel Tour: Fusion of Finite and Eternal
Yesterday we went on a Chanukah hike and picnic in the woods behind our house. At this spot, we were high enough to see the moshav and kibbutz nearby. Putting my bare feet in the dirt and grass, sitting on the ground, feeling the warm sun on my face, and watching my kids run free … Continue reading The Eyes of G-d Are Always Upon It
I cried this morning after walking our son to school. It has been exciting building a new life in the Holy Land, and it’s all starting to come together. And for the first time in my four decades here on Earth—as I walked from his school back home, amidst the buzzing cars and blooming bougainvilleas—I … Continue reading Passing the Torch, One Step at a Time
I knew it shouldn't be just about money. In my family of accountants, making money was the focus. Not creativity, souls, spirituality, or tzedakah. All the things that now inspire me on a daily basis weren't even mentioned when I was a kid. So I went to the extreme, and, subconsciously, I completely avoided bringing … Continue reading Planning, effort and prayer to bring parnassah
I recently started using my Hebrew name. My great-grandparents, Moshe and Kayla (Morris and Katy) Tanenbaum, for whom I’m named, came from religious families in Ukraine and tried to preserve their Jewish life even in the U.S. Katy’s father, Fishel Rubin, was a rabbi and sent his daughter far away from the Jewish pogroms of … Continue reading Reclaiming My Legacy and My Hebrew Name: Morasha Kehilla
Mindy Morasha 