Some people talk a good game. Others really practice what they preach. Yocheved Golani exemplifies how emuna and true inner courage can help a person triumph over the most difficult form of personal crisis, especially a medical one. Her new book, It's My Crisis!, is now making its debut. Yocheved is for real, and so is her book.
How many Chassidic groups do you know that take pride in the achievements of their leading female Chassidim? I can tell you one - Breslev. Here in Israel, we take a lot of pride in Debbie Shapiro, the super-talented editor of Breslovworld.com. Debbie is an author's author and a writer's writer. She's also a rebbetzin with a solid head on her shoulders, wife of well-known talmid chochom Rav Dovid Shapiro shlit'a.
With Hashem's loving grace, Debbie's new book is bound for glory; it has the power to turn peoples' lives around. I had the privilege of seeing both the pre-publication version of Bridging the Golden Gate and seeing reviewer Judith Bron's assessment; Judith's words speak for themselves:
It's not often that I become so engrossed in a book that I can't put it down, but thanks to Debbie Shapiro's new book Bridging the Golden Gate, my family managed with hot dogs and instant potatoes for supper while I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading! But reading Bridging the Golden Gate was much more than an enjoyable experience. I really felt that I changed; that as a result I became a better person and a more committed Jew.
Bridging the Golden Gate is a collection of real-life stories "of growth and inspiration." I found myself alternately laughing and crying as I internalized eternal messages of forgiveness, growth, and the Jew's unique mission in this world.
Included in the thirty-two stories of Bridging the Golden Gate are how Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Fisher z"l helps a daughter face the emotional barrier that was killing her mother; a college student discovers her roots while rescuing a carp from extinction; the head of a terrorist organization protects a Jewish family; a teenager barely escapes with his life as he learns the power of a mother's love...
Judith writes more, but we can suffice in saying that with her special humor and wit, Debbie Shapiro succeeds in conveying (and strengthening) the secret of our peoples' survival: the eternal bond between Hashem and His people.
Bridging the Golden Gate is available at Jewish book stores everywhere or at www.israelbookshoppublications.com . You won't be sorry.
I sincerely thank my special friend in the USA, A Simple Jew, for this simply beautiful book review.
Author and professional speechwriter Elliott Katz of Toronto looked everywhere for answers to the age-old question, "What makes the strong man that a woman really wants?" He wasn't satisfied until he found some eye-opening answers in the timeless wisdom of the Torah sages.
"Being the Strong Man", published by Award Press of Canada, is written as a heart-to-heart talk between Michael, on on the verge of divorce, and his happily-married Grandpa. Rather than dry, talk-down-to-you preaching, the author enables the reader to listen in to this intimate conversation that is loaded with readily digestible and applicable advice. The reader sees that a black belt in karate or 20" biceps are not what a woman seeks. The author shows how being manly means having high moral standards, self-discipline, strength in conviction, and courage to face difficulties. More than anything, Michael learns from Grandpa that a woman thrives when married to a responsible, reliable husband who's not afraid of making decisions.
In the time it takes to fly from New York to Chicago, a person can probably finish this book from cover to cover. It's a miniscule investment for improving, much less saving, a marriage. I highly recommend it to newlywed husbands, those planning marriage, or anyone who wants more out of marriage. The book is totally non-denominational, and therefore suitable to men of all backgrounds.
A delightful story by Rabbi Lazer Brody and beautifully written and illustrated by Rebecca Shapiro, the Worry Worm teaches children the concept of emuna. This book is now offered at a subsidized price to enable more and more children to learn that there's a Master to this Universe.
This is the internationally best-selling life-coaching manual by Rabbi Shalom Arush and translated by Rabbi Lazer Brody that's taking the world by storm. You owe yourself the gratification that this book will give you. (Softcover, 251 pages)
280 pages. "This book turns you into the best person you can be." (Tamar Yonah, Israel National Radio - Arutz 7)
Here's the delightful family book of the weekly Torah portions, enhanced with Rav Lazer Brody's original parables. A must for every Shabbat table! Kalcom Publishing, 254 pages.
This is Rav Shalom Arush's amazing interpretation of Rebbe Nachman's "Tale of the Lost Princess," revealing Rebbe Nachman's allusions to the proper service of Hashem. This book is a high-level sequel to The Garden of Emuna, for those who seriously seek more spirituality in their lives. Translated by Rav Lazer Brody, 124 pages, softcover, a Chut Shel Chessed publication.
This is the CD that we've all been waiting for, the musical legacy of Rav Erez Levanon of blessed and saintly memory, who was murdered by terrorists in March, 2007. 
Complete new fourth edition of Rabbi Lazer Brody's comprehensive and unique guide to coping with insult and verbal abuse. "A wonderful and valuable tool for strengthening the spirit!" (Rabbi Moshe Halberstam of the Eda Haredis in Jerusalem). Hebrew, 234 pages, Kalcom Publishers, Israel
