Dovid Klein, Chicago, Illinois I can easily and clearly see why Mindy Rubenstein is a professional writer. She is a fantastic writer and really and truly speaks from her heart and soul when she tells the story of how she and her family became Torah observant through the Rebbe and his emissaries.
I highly suggest that Mindy seriously (time allowing since she is a Mother) consider going on speaking engagements about this and all other Torah subjects as well as writing and publishing Torah books and articles on this and other Torah subjects.
Ryan P, Dallas This is one of the most inspirational and stirring stories I have read— maybe the single best. I hope you don’t mind — I plan to share this with those close to me.
Catherine, Switzerland Your writing has deeply touched me at a time of my life where I experience a deep loneliness. Thank you for the new way you offer me to enlarge my world. Shabbat Shalom from Basel.
Leah, Tampa Such a profoundly moving article… when you write I can feel the words… Thank you.
Katarina Oxford, UK coming home It is so beautiful to read when a Jewish family is discovering their roots. I pray that you and your family continue to dig deep into the Torah. That is a big blessing for us around you, people like you light the path for us Gentiles. Thank you for the lovely article. Shalom
Rachel Leah Fry, Daphne, AL So incredibly beautiful. Finding one’s neshama in a secular and indifferent world takes love, thought, patience, and commitment. Your passionate love of Judaism is a shining example to others. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt piece of yourself.
Wendy, Oregon I SO needed to hear this tonight, worried about so much. Thank you Mindy.
And bet your beautiful, utterly practical words will touch many…
Leslie Galloway, Hawaii Thank you for your honest and insightful essay. I’ve been struggling with this calling but haven’t found the guidance necessary since we live in a remote area (work) in Hawaii. I appreciate your transparency with the struggle.
Anonymous. New York Welcome back, both of you Loved your piece–so thoughtful and honest. And I applaud your ability to balance your “old” self and new values. I’m one of those baalai teshuvahs who make a U-turn, though I carried back a few treasures, like candle lighting and, oddly, saying the Modei Ani (sp?). I blamed it on my husband’s sudden turnoff to the entire religious world, though I know that’s not the whole truth. I also know it was wonderful to read your success story without judging my own decisions as deeply flawed. Sometimes, timing is everything.
Anonymous I love this article. As someone who has become more religious, I agree. Only a few people could ever wake up the next day and completely keep kosher, be shomer shabbos, and etc. If it’s not what you’re accustomed to, then that’s fine. I sometimes believe I don’t take enough time myself. This encouraged me to not be hard on myself and just go one step at a time and understand that it’s okay at the end of the day.
Chana, Jerusalem Should be shared with every chozeret bitshuva. Insightful and right on
Anonymous Brilliant and beautiful! Thanks for posting!
Tamarah, Princeton, NJ Thank you. This really sums up what I have recently been through and struggle with every day. On days when I am challenged with my observance choices it is hard to find a gentle ear that says I understand, you are blessed to have such a kind gentle kind.
Anonymous This is a brilliant article written with an understanding of the psychological challenges faced by people in a similar phase, where you are taking on more Mitzvahs. I appreciated you sharing the advice of your Rebbetzin, it gave me a sense of reassurance and relief. We do need to put our family’s well being first while going forward at the same time, and it is this balancing act that we need to consider carefully and respectfully.
Anonymous LOVE your Journey Story… so very happy for you to Return…. the whole world needs you…
Thank you…
Anonymous Absolutely beautifully written, and so true for all baal tshuva! You are amazing to CHOOSE to take this path, even though it can be the harder one at times. Ultimately, your choices will have a lasting positive impact on your family and future! May you always see the revealed good!
Miriam G, brooklyn, NY What an amazing article! Mindy, you did it again!
Reading through your article, I felt as if you were talking to me. Your article is so full of light and love, I could truly feel every emotion that you described. It’s just so real!
Me and my husband also have never met the Rebbe. But as my husband became religious through his Chabad Rabbi, he took all the love that this Rabbi and his family gave him and shared it with me. This is how our young family was able to move from all-mighty NY to little Palm Harbor. That love and connection to the Rebbe, his teaching and sichot, were the reason we survived there (religiously and psychologically) for so many years.
And you, Mindy, already share the light and love through your beautiful writing!
Keep up the great work!
moses very inspired by this article. gives me more hope to start my generation in the jewish path i so desire….
Mr. Johnny Andersen, Denmark This is wonderful ! Shalom. Im struggling to give up christianity and to totally surrender to the jewish faith. This testimony of yours is helping me immensely one step further to do just that. May HaShem bless you and your husband and all the rest of your family for this wonderful proof of how great G-d really is. Johnny, from Denmark.
alka, NY it is a mitzva to honor your parents Thank You so much Mindy! I am also a baal teshuva girl and I never really respected my parents the way I should and because it is such an important commandment in the torah to honor my parents I am trying really hard to respect them. I am really happy I read your article.
Renee Parris, Hillsoborough, NC Beautifully Said I just sort of stumbled onto your blog posting but wow, it spoke to my heart. Thank you for being willing to admit moments of pride and self-righteousness. We ALL have them…we just aren’t all so good at owning them. You are a gifted writer. As a fellow writer, I enjoyed reading your posting.
Lalita Janke, Vero Beach, Florida I posted this in Facebook That’s how much I enjoyed your article on the 5 Fs. Every woman’s story..Faith, family, friends ,food and finally freedom from self judgment and acceptance of Life as it shows up. G_d is great and I am so blessed. I always find what I need.to know. You’ve given a whole new meaning to F words. ..and I can’t thank you enough.
seena Bala, Cynwyd, PA Four Fs in Life The story is so beautifully told; your honesty about the bumps along the way and trying to find an authentic way to embrace your Jewish life is very refreshing. KOL HAKAVOD! BTW, we will be on the west coast for part of Pesach -in Tampa!
Katie Sydney, Australia Fabulous! Sweet Peace. sounds like you have found true enlightenment. Thanks for sharing your well written words of faith and honesty. Katie.
Taylor M, San Francisco, CA The Fifth “F” Wow, what a beautiful story!
And I think your final thought is applicable to so many things, religion, and just life in general. It gave me chills.
Thank you for sharing!
Ruth Esther Fine, Toronto, Canada Beautiful! It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have been a witness and a part of your beautiful and inspiring journey. Kol HaKAvod and may Hashem continue to bless you and your family with the five F’s and more!
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I am so, so happy and satisfied with my experience using Mindy Rubenstein. I cannot recommend her highly enough! Aside from being pleasant and kind and an absolute joy to work with, she is very technically proficient. Mindy is also highly creative. She has great vision, skill and is highly competent, and combines all these things expertly and effortlessly.I recommend Mindy highly, she is an expert at what she does. — Rabbi Yosef Resnick, owner, Helix Wellness Center
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Working with Mrs. Rubenstein gave me a new appreciation for writing — that it could be really enjoyable. — Miriam H., high school student
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A big thanks to Mindy Rubenstein for helping me get my article published and helping me explain my life-changing summer! — Brandon M., college student
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Mindy gently pushed me to keep working on an article about my trip to Israel. Not only did I finish the article and get it published, but I went on to write a book! — Jane B., doula and elementary school teacher
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In her capacity as an editor and coach, Mindy empowers her writers, guides them and manages to get the best outcome. She gives direction that inspires and challenges her writers to get to the heart of their stories. Always generous and thoughtful, she is also very disciplined and asks the same from her team. — Judith Fox-Goldstein, entrepreneur, artist and writer
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Thank you Mindy… our relationship is just so special. YOU take me to places in my heart that have been covered for so many years. Rediscovering my family and my roots is bringing me a comfort I never anticipated. And, it appears that my grandchildren (Jewish/Latino) have taken up an interest in Judaism and my youngest one has now expressed a desire to study Hebrew. — Anna P.
Leadership and Receptivity: A Torah Foundation for Shalom Bayit Shalom Bayit is not built only on communication skills or shared values. Judaism teaches that peace in the home depends on clear roles, grounded leadership, and willing trust — emotionally, materially, and physically. In Torah language, this structure is called mashpia and mekabel — one who…
By Mindy Morasha Rubenstein I began this journey as a writer before I knew exactly what I was writing about. I was the “lost child” in my family, growing up in chaos, and I didn’t know how to rescue others — but I did know I had a voice. I would later discover that writing…
I don’t have any bruises or scars, so you’d never know. What actually constitutes emotional or financial abuse can be so subtle. For nearly three decades, I’ve lived in a nearly constant state of confusion, moving between being triggered by emotional abandonment and wondering if I was the one who was crazy. Maybe at times…
Refuat HaNefesh v’HaGuf — Healing the Soul and the Body רְפוּאַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ וְהַגוּף There are days when my body feels like it is carrying all the stories I never told.The exhaustion that lingers even after sleep. The sudden overwhelm that makes me forget what I was doing. The emotions that rise like waves. Living with…
higher purpose Yom Kippur is called the holiest day of the year. But what does holy really mean? In Hebrew, the word is קֹדֶשׁ (kodesh), from the root קדש which means “set apart.” Something holy is separated from the ordinary so it can be dedicated to a higher purpose. Shabbat is holy because it is…
“For this mitzvah which I gift you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. It is not in heaven… But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may do it.” (Devarim 30:11–14) The “word” is Torah, truth, and G-d’s light…
Here in Eretz Yisrael, as the heavy heat of summer finally eases, you can feel the season shifting. The nights cool, the air softens, and the earth prepares for rain. Grapes and figs have been harvested, the balance of the equinox arrives, and a new moon rises in the autumn sky. This is not the…
For women in recovery, the language of guilt and judgment is familiar — and often toxic. But real healing doesn’t come from shame. It comes from connecting with a Higher Power and living from our higher self. That’s the essence of recovery, and it can also be the essence of this season if we choose…
Rosh Hashanah begins with food that is also prayer. We dip apples into honey, we bake round challot, we place pomegranates on the table. These are not just traditions but symbols of what we long for in the year ahead. The word that threads through it all is חיים – Chayim – Life. Why Apples…
Mindy Morasha 