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Mystical Meaning of the Month of Shevat

In this video I look at how Shevat teaches us to widen the circles of sanctity and draw down holiness into our everyday lives. We then explore the how this applies to rectifying our relationship with food.

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Kabbalah Day at the Manhattan JCC

The Annual Day of Kabbalah is coming up in January at the JCC in Manhattan.  This years theme is

For the Sake of the Unification of the Holy One, Blessed Be He, and the Shekhina

It's a fantastic event, combining academic excellence and spiritual vitality.  I loved it the last time I participated, found myself engaged in compelling discussions throughout the day, and made some great friends.

This year, I'll be speaking twice.

1. Extrinsic Motivation - A Means to Internal Success, Meaning and Eternal Joy

Our common perception is that internal motivation is the most potent driving force for success.  In this lecture we'll look at how focusing on the union of The Holy Blessed One and His Shechina has the power to transform our lives and the world at large.  Along the way we'll discover where intrinsic and extrinsic motivation merge and that counter-intuitively, making "Unification" our primary aim brings us the inner life we most deeply desire.  Understanding Leshem Yichud allows for a motivation breakthrough that transforms the way we live our lives.

   2. Clean - The Power of One to Break Addiction

Addiction is love and fear in their purest state dressed up in something else.  By focusing on Leshem Yichud as a meditation, we can undress ourselves of our addictions and re-access the inner core of holy and healthy love and respect.

I'm one of SIX speakers.  You'll also get to hear David Solomon, Naftali Citron, Avraham Sutton, Nathaniel Berman and Bezalel Naor.

Register HERE now

Thanks Mark Pearlman of Sinai Live, Naftali Citron of The Carlebach Shul, Susie Kessler of the JCC and The Jewish Week for putting this together.  It's a privilege and pleasure to work with you.

I hope you can join us.

The Kabbalah of Nutrition FREE Teleseminar - and Kabbalah Cleanse Retreat

This past November some friends and I participated in a Kabbalah Cleanse Retreat.  It was fabulous. I know that many of you you had wanted to join us but were unable to.  So tonight, I'm offering a free teleconference during which I'll be going over some highlights of what I spoke about during the retreat. We'll cover insights on the Kabbalah of Nutrition and Emotional Eating.  I'll also take questions from you on food, cleansing, addiction and healing.  And I'll share a delicious recipe from our chefs Esther Voluck and Rachel Yaseen. The Kabbalah Cleanse Teleconference Tuesday Dec 24, 9pm EDT In honor of Yael Faiga bat Chaim Join me for an hour of nutrition for body and soul by clicking here.  No charge, no forms, just one easy click.  (My calls fill up quickly.  But don't worry.  If you can't get on, the recording will be available for anyone who registers for the call.)   For those of you who are interested, our next retreat is coming up January 19-23 in Tucson, Arizona.  It's a phenomenal experience.  This time we'll go deeper into the Kabbalah of Nutrition and spend numerous sessions devoted to Attaining Joy.  Here's what you get: In-depth daily study of Tanya Daily lectures and workshops Morning movement and meditation sessions A 3-Day Organic Cleanse Delicious, nutritious, healing, nurturing food (Thank you Esther and Rachel) A cooking lesson on some of the principles of healing nutrition Canyon hike through Sabino Canyon ($8 tram ride fee not included) Outdoor jacuzzi and infra-red sauna One group acupuncture session The company of like-minded, engaging women The KABBALAH CLEANSE RETREAT! Sunday January 19 - Thursday January 23 18-22 Shevat Catalina Foothills, Tucson, Arizona  Full Retreat only $850 To catch our early bird registration, email Lieba now.  Our rustic setting makes it possible to make all this possible for you at only $850! Included in my teachings on food, healing and joy are some core principles from The Method (my Kabbalah-based program for personal transformation.)  Join us.  You'll walk away with tools to recharge and refocus your life. To enroll or find out more Email the Loving-Kindness Renewal Center. Or call 347.871.7702 (Sorry guys - women only) Jumpstart January into something really special, inspired by Mystical insights, a wealth of healing knowledge and a community of like-minded individuals. SO looking forward to seeing you there! And don't forget!  The teleconference this evening is just hours away: The Kabbalah Cleanse Teleconference Tuesday Dec 24, 9pm EDT In honor of Yael Faiga bat Chaim Join me for an hour of nutrition for body and soul by clicking here.  No charge, no forms, just one easy click.  (My calls fill up quickly.  But don't worry.  If you can't get on, the recording will be available for anyone who registers for the call.) Love Shimona PS. This is an special offer from the Loving Kindness Renewal Center.  Give Alexandra a ring now at 347.871.7702 to reserve your space.  Or email her to enroll now.

Confessions of the #LubavitchManBabe (for Sara)

I'll get to my LubavitchManBabe in a moment.  But first I want to share something from my heart.

Thirty days ago, one of my best friends passed away.  Her name was Sara Behrman.  On June 23, some days after her funeral, I posted the following to my Facebook page:

"My friend Sara told me how people in India cool off without AC:

1. Keep your clothes on!
2. Step into a cold shower.
3. Step out of the shower.
4. Keep your clothes on!

Voila.

She passed away on Monday. Sarah, you made my world so rich, so colorful. I'm missing you every hour!"

Her presence was so large that I still wake up in the morning and am physically shocked when it hits me that she's no longer in this world.

At the gathering held in her honor last night, we watched footage - much of it hilarious - from a NickMom shoot in my Sukkah last year.

How "Sara" to keep us rolling from laughter at such a moment!

Many of the folks there told me they had no idea about the show from which much of the footage was borrowed.  Called "Take Me to your Mother" it stars comedienne Andrea Rosen, a new mom who embarks upon a journey to meet moms from different cultures and life experiences to seek advice on how to raise a good kid.  Well, I was the "Jewish Mom" and my inner circle of friends were invited to different parts of a two-day party!  One of them was, of course, Sara.  In fact, the Hot Air Production team (love you gals!) decided to end the episode with her comments about...well, I'll leave you to take a look.

If you haven't already seen it, you can do that here.

And if that's not enough of an incitement, log on to meet my LubavitchManBabe  a.k.a. my oldest son Levi.  Andrea took one look at him and suggested she interview Levi on the steps of our home.  At the time I had no idea what they spoke about but, trust, I laughed out loud as I watched him confess to his "rebellion" in front of two million moms (!!) and Andrea coined the phrase that took off like wildfire.

During our time in the Sukka that day, Sara told Andrea how much she loved to have FUN with her kids.   100% true!!

In celebration of my friend, I want to share the love and laughter you'll see on the screen as Andrea visits with me, my kids and the rest of the Tribe.

I hope you enjoy.  And may our laughter and celebration of life pierce the heavens and bring us to the time of redemption now.

Love,

Shimona

Have You Been the Victim of Sexual Abuse?

I ask it with trepidation: Have you been the victim of sexual abuse?  My guess is the question itself is enough to turn your stomach.

According to Dr. Frank Putnam, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the cortisol levels (of some participants in a study he worked on) "wound up looking like (those of) Vietnam vets."  Cortisol is a steroid hormone released in response to stress.  "That tells us they are in a chronic state of stress, and never feel safe."
Victims of sexual abuse:

• Are more likely to have behavioral problems
• Have higher rates of obesity
• And of depression
• Struggle with sexual development
• Experience challenges in cognitive development
• Are more likely to engage in risky behavior
• And to enter into abusive relationships later in life
• Have more physical health problems
• Have more mental health problems including difficulty regulating brain chemistry
• Suffer - both from what they've endured and from the guilt they suffer in silence

  Did you know that

1 in 3 girls are abused before their 18th birthday?!

As a coach, I routinely speak with women who've been violated.  I've been outraged to read of the dismissal of their suffering!  I'm pained by the shame that underlies their suffering!  And I've been moved to do something.

I'm beyond privileged to invite you to a unique teleconference on

Healing From Sexual Abuse and Trauma

When: This Monday, June 10, 2013
Where: From anywhere you choose.  Just dial in.  Sign up for the teleconference here
When: 8:30pm

Join me in a conversation with Amy Barth as we take an open look at the issues at hand and welcome your questions.

You can read more about Amy here
and you'll learn more about her on the call.  For now I want to let you know that she has 20 years of experience working with children and teens in crisis. She founded Teen Crisis Line, a peer counseling hotline in New York; started a play therapy program in a shelter for homeless mothers and children; and was Director of the Suicide Prevention Program at a New York City high school.  She's also the author of four books including "101 Tips For Survivors of Sexual Abuse," and "101 Tips For Recovering From Eating Disorders."

 

If you're a survivor then this call is definitely for you!

And even if not, there's bound to be a young girl or woman in your life who's been affected.  Sexual abuse is any sort of non-consensual sexual contact. It can happen to men or women of any age.  You do know a victim even if you don't know it.

So won't you join me?  For you - and for the women in your life.  Here's the info again:

When: This Monday, June 10, 2013
Where: From anywhere you choose.  Just dial in.  Sign up for the teleconference here.
When: 8:30pm

Sign up for the teleconference by clicking on the link below:

Healing from Sexual Abuse and Trauma.

Here's to our health.

Love,
Shimona

P.S. Space is limited so sign up now for this unique healing conference.
P.P.S. If the lines are taken, don't worry.  Once you're registered for the call you'll automatically receive the link from which to download the recording after the call.

This is Water

David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement speech at Kenyon College. Water for thought.