Shows / From My Notebook
Episodes
- From My Notebook
A Vision of Yourself
The Shabbos before Tisha B'Av is a unique opportunity for us to self-reflect and envision how to become the best version of ourselves.
- From My Notebook
Roll with the Punches
The importance of protecting ourselves so that when challenges arise we don't feel as though we have to give up.
- From My Notebook
One More Step
We don't always have the answers in life and we don't know what the outcome will be. Even when we don't think we can make it to the finish line, we can still…
- From My Notebook
We Can All Shine
There is room for everyone to shine and your burning bright doesn't take away from others.
- From My Notebook
YOU Can Do It
Sometimes instead of looking for someone else to take the lead, be the leader that is needed.
- From My Notebook
Keep Moving Forward
What happens when we make a mistake and there are consequences to our actions? The importance of persevering forward even when we don't get what we want.
- From My Notebook
Counseling Korach
What would it look like if Korach had had the opportunity to speak with a therapist about his views on Moshe? The importance of shifting focus from others to…
- From My Notebook
Be Big in Your Own Eyes
It is important to base your self-worth on your own perception rather than the perspectives of others.
- From My Notebook
I Can't Get No, Satisfaction
Sometimes we have jewels in our hands but we mistake the jewels for worthless rocks.
- From My Notebook
The Second Time Around
Sometimes when we experience something for the second time it ends up even better and more special than the first (that is, if we allow it to be).
- From My Notebook
Procedures for Positivity
Even when we have a reason to be upset with someone, we can find a better reason not to be upset and instead let it go.
- From My Notebook
Never Give Up
Pesach Sheini teaches us the importance of not giving up and continuing to try even when we think we already failed.
- From My Notebook
Wifi to G-d
What can we learn from our Wifi internet connection and our desire to connect to G-d?
- From My Notebook
Lean on Me
Receiving help from a stranger (Afterall, what's a stranger but a friend who you haven't met yet)
- From My Notebook
Staying Passionate
The importance of finding a healthy balance of passion in all of our endeavors.
- From My Notebook
Ask for What You Want
The importance of really listening to what someone asks and hearing the question behind the question.
- From My Notebook
No I in Team
A Passover story about brotherhood and the obligation to look after each other.
- From My Notebook
The Big Move
Making Aliyah to the land of Israel is supposed to be a perfect experience filled only with revealed good...or is it?
- From My Notebook
Turn Signals
What is the connection between the turn signal in a car and the spiritual diseases known as tzaras?
- From My Notebook
Being Teammates during the Holidays
Discusses 4 common stressors that affect couples during the holiday season, as well as 8 strategies of a winning team.
- From My Notebook
Jumping Waves
Going to the beach is fun but in order to jump over the ocean's waves your first need to make it through the danger zone.
- From My Notebook
Remember What They Did
We are supposed to remember what Amalek did to us as we left Egypt. Is G-d encouraging us to hold a grudge?
- From My Notebook
On the Side
Side dishes are an important part of an elegant meal, even though they are only served, 'on the side.' What can we learn from the common side dish of cabbage…
- From My Notebook
Become a Wrestler
Wrestlers are dedicated to training and ensuring they are strong in both body and mind. What is more important, physical strength or the will to win?
- From My Notebook
Hamantashen: More than Just a Cookie
When baking hamentashen it is important not to overfill the cookies; otherwise, the filling causes the cookie to open up and the yummy filling all spills out…
- From My Notebook
From Me to We
Although having an iPhone is convenient, the emphasis should be on the we instead of the me. When we focus on ourselves as a team instead of just ourselves we…
- From My Notebook
Will the Real You Please Stand Up
Sometimes it is easier to pretend to be someone else than to be your true self. The real challenge in life is to embrace your role in life and to step into…
- From My Notebook
Investment Bankers
Investment bankers work hard to assist people and companies on how to best invest their money and maximize profit. What can we learn from this profession?
- From My Notebook
Baggage Restrictions
We all carry baggage with us as we travel through life. It is important to decide what we want to continue to carry and what we want to choose to leave behind.
- From My Notebook
Keeping it Fresh
Doing things for the first time brings with it an enthralling excitement. It is important that we infuse our spirituality with this type of joy.
- From My Notebook
My Brother's Keeper
What is the responsibility to look after your fellow man? Do you have an obligation to ensure the welfare of others?
- From My Notebook
Surprise, Surprise
There is nothing like a surprise gift. Celebrating joyful occasions without advance notice invokes very special feelings.
- From My Notebook
All yOUR Strength
It is important to remember that you never have to do things alone. Using all of your strength includes asking others for help.
- From My Notebook
Looking in All the Wrong Places
When searching for something that you have lost, it is important to make sure that you are looking in the right place.
- From My Notebook
Things Are Looking Up
Sometimes we think we are heading in the right direction only to realize that we are, in fact, traveling the wrong way. It is then that we need to rely on…
- From My Notebook
Insulating From The Inside
Owning a home includes everyday repairs and seasonal upgrades. Single-paned windows allow a cold draft to enter the home. Insulating our windows (and…
- From My Notebook
Precious Stones
Sometimes we don't know how valuable and precious what we have is until someone else points it out to us.
- From My Notebook
Guess Who I Bumped Into
A story of how a car accident resulted in Jews attending a Shabbaton and creating a long-lasting friendship and connection with another family.
- From My Notebook
Don't Forget the Donuts
Eating donuts is a real challenge, with powder, jelly, and extreme stickiness. However, we can learn a powerful lesson from this delectable treat.
- From My Notebook
Light Up the World
In the same way that olive oil does not stay permanently mixed with other liquids and always separates itself, we must ensure that we stay true to ourselves…
- From My Notebook
Heaven & Earth
One of the greatest tasks is to synthesize spirituality with physicality and bring form a connection between heaven and earth.
- From My Notebook
Staying Committed
Being able to give our all to a challenge even when we feel like we were cheated out of what we really wanted is an important skill to develop.
- From My Notebook
Overcoming Challenges
We are born with an innate predisposition to question G-d and life's challenges. However, the struggle is part of the journey to achievement.
- From My Notebook
Your Family is on Vacation but Your Marriage Isn't
Join Yisrael Shurack, MSW as he discusses strategies to keep your relationship blossoming during the Summer. Yisrael can be reached by email at…
- From My Notebook
The 10 Commandments of Marriage
Join Yisrael Shurack, MSW as he explores the key ingredients to finding and sustaining marital harmony. Yisrael can be reached by email at: yshurack@gmail.com…
- From My Notebook
Banana Bread
Explores what we can learn from banana bread and why we should focus on transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and success.
From My NotebookPaying Full Price
Explores the merit of paying for something of value and the dedication needed.
- From My Notebook
From Here to There
Explores the challenge of transitions and the connection between facing challenges and the opportunity to refine yourself and become the person that G-d knows…
- From My Notebook
Spiritual Training
Explores the methodology behind exercise and how we can apply that to spirituality.
- From My Notebook
Givers and Takers
Explores what we can learn from mosquitoes and the importance of being a giver and not just a taker.
- From My Notebook
New Beginnings
Explores Psalm 27 and the importance of now allowing important tasks to become mundane and perfunctory and keeping them infused with energy.
- From My Notebook
Choose Your Hard
Explores how life is full of hard decisions and tasks but that we get to choose our hard, and the amazing quality of dancing on Simchas Torah to draw down…
- From My Notebook
Dining with G-d
Explores the eating in the Sukkah during the holiday of Sukkot and how it can be compared to having an intimate relationship with your spouse.
- From My Notebook
Yes We Can
Explores what we can learn from children and their willingness to try something new and their determination to succeed.
- From My Notebook
Happy Birthday to Us
Explores the meaning of birthdays and the courage that Chava (Eve) had by leaving the Garden of Eden to start the mission to bring heaven down to Earth.
- From My Notebook
Whole World Challah
Explores the versatility and uniqueness of challah and how every person has their own flavor which they can contribute to the world.
- From My Notebook
Seeing in the Dark
Explores what we can learn from infrared night vision goggles and the ability to reflect on our actions and see what we need to do to change for the better.
- From My Notebook
Sifting Pebbles and Chaff
Explores the importance of reflecting on the challenges that G-d gives us and what we learn from them.
- From My Notebook
Chewing it Over
Explores what we can learn from animals that chew their own cud and the importance of thinking things over before making decisions.