by Susie Garber

Phyllis Blackman, well-known shadchan of Hineni (the organization founded by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis’ zt”l), has written meaningful songs and performed them on her wonderful children’s CDs, and now she has branched out and published her first picture book for children, ages 3-8.

On Sunday evening, June 6, Chazaq hosted a virtual shiur for ladies featuring Sarah Chana Radcliffe, well-known author, speaker, and therapist, on the topic of how to fight right. She shared valuable strategies and insights that can help everyone’s shalom bayis.

On Monday evening, June 28, Rabbi Avraham Nissanian spoke on behalf of Eshel Avraham on the subject of wishing to live another person’s life.  He began by speaking about the difficult events recently that all involved choking.  The pandemic involved a deadly virus that caused choking, the people in Meron died of choking, and in the shul in Yerushalayim and now in the building collapse in Surfside.  We are being sent so many reminders from Hashem that we all need to find our own happiness, which is right under our noses. We need to stop thinking that the grass is greener for others.  Lack of achdus causes collapses.

On Sunday evening, June 13, Rabbi Doniel Katz, sought-after speaker and teacher, shared an enlightening shiur about radical emunah on behalf of the Let’s Get Real with Coach Menachem program, which runs every Sunday night at 10 p.m.

I recently met with Tami Frank, a Queens community member and Circling leader, to discuss something that she discovered that has had a great impact on her life.  The subject she wanted me to share is called Circling (also known as Interactive Talking Meditation).  It is an organic, in-the-moment interpersonal process that’s equal parts art form, meditation, and group conversation – all designed to allow a visceral experience of connection and understanding of another person’s world, celebrating who and where they are right now.

On Sunday evening, June 6, “Let’s Get Real with Coach Menachem” hosted its 58^th program, which was an informative virtual lecture featuring two well-respected, knowledgeable therapists: Dr. Binyamin Tepfer (a well-known therapist in Cedarhurst, New York) and Mr. Moshe Norman (a well-known therapist in Lakewood, New Jersey).