Growing up, I wanted to be the next Erma Bombeck, only Jewish.
Fortunately, I kept my day job in health care public relations as I wrote humor pieces at night. I’ve never fallen out of love with writing, and during my career I’ve written on everything from health care, technology addictions, psychology, happiness; relationships; remarkable Holocaust survivors; Hollywood films, rock and roll legends, and of course, Jewish values, history, culture, and practice.
I try to sprinkle humor as generously as possible when the topics allow, both in my essays and books. Humor softens the edges, and I know it led to my having sold several commentary pieces to media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, and the New York Daily News, among others. I’ve written three humor books and the widely praised memoir, The Skeptic and the Rabbi: Falling in Love with Faith. In February 2024, my memoir Bylines and Blessings: Overcoming Obstacles, Striving for Excellence, and Redefining Success will be published by Koehler Books, and I just can’t wait!
As a seasoned book editor, I’ve guided many writers on their memoirs, as well as books on Jewish philosophy, business communication, alternative health journeys, and more. I’m a regular columnist at the Jewish Journal and my byline is very familiar to readers of Aish.com.
For many years I wrote about my family life and the poignant and funny moments in marriage and motherhood. Now, the kids are grown with kids of their own, and it’s an incredible pleasure and privilege to be a fairly active Nana, too. I knew I was right to save the Legos and the best of the children’s books!
I also practice yoga a few times a week, though despite my practice I’ll never get “pigeon pose” or “Warrior 3” just right. I love what it does for my sense of strength, balance and even mental calm. Naturally I read loads of books, including mysteries (love the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear), Michael Medved’s fantastic history books, Jewish thought and commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, and almost anything written by Alexander McCall Smith.
The other day my seven-year-old granddaughter Ahuva saw me working and asked, “Nana, when will you finish working?”
“I have about another hour to go today,” I said.
“No, I meant for the rest of your life!”
I laughed. To me, writing is almost as essential as breathing. It is a privilege and joy for me to be able to share my writing with a receptive audience.
Growing up, I wanted to be the next Erma Bombeck, only Jewish. Fortunately, I kept my day job in health care public relations as I wrote humor pieces at night. I’ve kept that love of writing ever since. I’ve published three award-winning humor books, a memoir, The Skeptic and the Rabbi: Falling in Love with Faith, and co-authored a book on MBA admissions strategies. My memoir is truly a work of my heart, and I’ve been so pleased by the fantastic reader reactions it receives by people of all faiths.
I published my first fiction story, “The Inheritance,” about a couple in conflict over religious observance, and look forward to exploring more themes within fiction over time.
For many years I wrote about my family life and the poignant and funny moments in marriage and motherhood. Now, the kids are grown with kids of their own, and it’s an incredible pleasure and privilege to be a fairly active Nana, too. I knew I was right to save the Legos and the best of the children’s books!
I also practice yoga a few times a week, though despite my practice I’ll never get “pigeon pose” or “Warrior 3” just right. I love what it does for my sense of strength, balance and even mental calm. Naturally I read loads of books, including mysteries (love the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear), Michael Medved’s fantastic history books, Jewish thought and commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, and almost anything written by Alexander McCall Smith.
The other day my seven-year-old granddaughter Ahuva saw me working and asked, “Nana, when will you finish working?”
“I have about another hour to go today,” I said.
“No, I meant for the rest of your life!”
I laughed. To me, writing is almost as essential as breathing. It is a privilege and joy for me to be able to share my writing with a receptive audience.
