Why I Write Jewish Books for Little Children

OK, so I act like a child sometimes. But that’s because a lot of me remains child-like, and I really want those aspects to continue right along with me. There is a gigantic sense of wonder about the world, for instance, that doesn’t seem to be decreasing at all. And a delight in simple things [...]

Whitney Houston: Didn’t She Almost Have It All?

Wikipedia says it this way: In 2009, Guiness World Records cited her as the most-awarded female act [performer] of all time. Her list of awards includes two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. Houston was also one [...]

Can You Picture G-d Differently?

Debbie’s father would beat her almost daily for looking “too happy.” Over forty years later, she is asking, “How am I supposed to believe in a G-d that’s described as an all-loving Father?” Yaakov volunteers as an advocate for victims of sexual abuse. He has heard so many chilling accounts that he is feeling overwhelmed [...]

For My Husband, Ode to Our Last Sukkah

We didn’t realize it would be, The last sukkah of you and me. Those boards, they stretched – it wasn’t wide, Still all our children fit inside. And grandchildren, as they came too, And all the guests, thanks most to you. The decorations that you saved, All through the years, everyone raved. How our grandchildren [...]

Groundbreaking New Children’s Book Released: LET’S STAY SAFE!

Groundbreaking New Children’s Book Released: LET’S STAY SAFE! Let’s Stay Safe, published by Mesorah Publications, is the newest breakthrough from Project YES, a division of Agudath Israel of America Community Services. According to Artscroll, “It may well be the most important picture book that a parent will share with his or her young child.” We [...]

Aren’t We Supposed to Question?

We had a bunch of guests over for Shabbos lunch. This was on a summer afternoon, just a couple of years ago. Since my husband hadn’t returned yet from shul, everyone was passing the time in the living room, waiting. There was a relatively new guest, David, seated on the couch, who had only just [...]

Almost Trashed

This is what Alan found in the garbage one day: movie ticket stubs, crumpled candy wrappers, a partially eaten ham and cheese sandwich, yesterday’s newspaper, empty soda cans, crushed cigarette butts, and an old pair of tefillin. Then Alan suddenly understood why he had been desperately searching through garbage for years and years. He must [...]

Let Your Fingers Do the Mitzvos

Just Released in Time for Chanukah! by Bracha Goetz Published by Judaica Press, 2010 Let Your Fingers Do the Mitzvos is a new book for little children that is full of tremendous potential. It enables children to actually experience the joy of doing mitzvos while the book is being read. The two dimensional children in [...]

Just Ten Minutes?

“Take ten minutes out of your day, To do what you enjoy,” the “experts” now say. Ten whole minutes? Is that all we get? Nearly twenty-four hours with pleasures unmet? Has it come down to this? Must we settle so low? Our foremother knew more than today’s “experts” know. “All her days were good,” our [...]

How to talk to Our Children about Personal Safety

Here are signs to protect our children from danger: In 95% of cases, the molester’s not a stranger. He’s someone you know and respect. He’s disarming. He is drawn to children. And he’s awfully charming. This is a handy little jingle for parents to keep in mind, but even though it’s short, my rhyme is [...]

Message to the World – The Power of Prayer

Imagine you’re in a room full of Jewish addicts. And you’re volunteering to lead a group on Tuesday evenings. The group is called “Spirituality.” What would you talk about? This week I decided to ask them what they would talk about. I tossed out a question that I had heard a rabbi ask at the [...]

Just Ten Minutes?

“Take ten minutes out of your day, To do what you enjoy,” the “experts” now say. Ten whole minutes? Is that all we get? Nearly twenty-four hours with pleasures unmet? Has it come down to this? Must we settle so low? Our foremother knew more than today’s “experts” know. “All her days were good,” our [...]

Waking Up Is Hard To Do

Silly me! It took me so long to open my eyes to the fact that we could have religious leaders who appear outwardly very pious and above reproach, but really aren’t. Waking up is a struggle alright. Over thirty years ago, after searching for spirituality in many religions, reading the book, A Tzaddik in Our [...]

We’ve Got It Backwards

“Mommy, I can’t read this. It’s all upside down! Mommy, it’s the truth – Why do you have that frown?” “b’s and d’s aren’t easy. For me, they are hard. M’s and W’s – I can’t tell them apart.” “Tatte, I can’t daven, Like others in shul. I don’t want to go. I look like [...]

Why Does it Matter How We Dress?

I think I was fifteen that summer. I got all dressed up in the nicest dress I had with me. Actually I think it may have been the only dress I had with me. It was a sleeveless blue one, and I was even careful to wrap a crocheted shawl around my arms. Our counselors [...]

A Hellenist Left Standing

It was the twenty-fifth of December, And when she closes her eyes she remembers, Just how it was. A Jewish girl from Queens, Had fulfilled her secret dreams, Decorating that bright, forbidden tree. A Jewish girl from Queens, Had fulfilled her secret dreams. She helped hang tinsel merrily. Her boyfriend’s family, Was friendly as could [...]

Great Children’s Books By BBT Contributor Bracha Goetz

Bracha Goetz has just released her latest book: What Do You See in Your Neighborhood? A wonderful everyday word-and-picture book for toddlers which teaches basic vocabulary – in a Jewish kind of way! This could be a great gift to give anyone with a little one! You can get it online from judaicapress.com or at [...]

Identity Theft of the Biggest Kind

Just about all of us have had our identities stolen from us. I think I lost mine about 53 years ago, but I only realized it last night. Thanks to my husband. Over dinner last night, he pointed out to me that we’d had our identities stolen. Truth is, it was probably a lot longer [...]

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