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By Mrs. Debbie Selengut

Month: July 2023

Rosh Chodesh Elul

He always reminded us that spending time with a child is the greatest compliment; giving the message of “I like you” (not just that I love you, but I like you too) ‘and I want to be with you.’ 

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Rosh Chodesh Av

Talking about humor in a newsletter titled “Chodesh Av” might seem incongruous, but I’d like to share something with you that’s on my mind. I do not follow politics, I don't understand politics, and quite honestly, no one in politics has ever asked me for my opinion -...

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Free Webinar

A Gut Voch! Please join me Monday evening for a free 40 minute webinar! Preparing our Kids for Adulthood: What we can be doing NOW for LATER! We will explore working backwards in parenting... highlighting  values we want to help our children develop,  and how to guide...

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Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

To my Dear Kallas, I love summer. I love the long days, I love the daylight, the early morning sun, the late day sun…. As we sat outside this evening and watched fireflies, I wanted to freeze the calendar…  But as I cannot do that, I’ll just try to savor it. For those...

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Rosh Chodesh Sivan

To My Dear Kallas, עמו"ש Respect and dignity are two of the most basic human needs. We need to feel seen, heard, understood and appreciated to thrive. And then, even if things are difficult, and even if I can't get what I want, feeling seen, heard, understood and...

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Rosh Chodesh Iyar

To My Dear Kallas עמו”ש So……all of those things that were going to happen “after Pesach”.... It’s a time of newness for many. A new “zman” for many men and boys. A return to school for children and teachers after a long break, Full houses are emptying out as married...

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Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5784

To my Dear Kallas, There is something so hopeful about Nissan. Geula remembered, Geula awaited.   I think that if we take the time, and have the headspace, we can gain strength from our own personal “Geulos”; times when things were really difficult, situations...

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Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5784

To my Dear Kallas, There is something so hopeful about Nissan. Geula remembered, Geula awaited. I think that if we take the time, and have the headspace, we can gain strength from our own personal “Geulos”; times when things were really difficult, situations that we...

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Rosh Chodesh Adar II

A Guten Chodesh! It was one of those comments that are either a compliment or an insult…. So, I decided to take it as a compliment. “Your newsletters are clearly not written using AI I’m not sure if they meant that they are not polished enough and mistake free, or if...

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Rosh Chodesh Adar 1

A Guten Chodesh! The days are definitely getting longer. For those of us that love the sunlight, waking up in the light, and having longer evening light, it lightens our mood and invigorates us. We are getting there. A few beautiful gifts merged together 2 weeks ago...

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Rosh Chodesh Shevat

  A Guten Chodesh! Shevat conjures up thoughts and hopes of spring, newness, and rebirth.  It’s always a boost when it's cold outside and the days are short. And Shevat comes at a time when we turn the corner on the calendar, the days are slowly getting a few...

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Rosh Chodesh Teves

A Guten Chodesh!  And a Freilechen Chanukah! I, like many of you,  have had the opportunity to listen to and watch some very thoughtful, insightful speeches or messages since Simchas Torah. Understanding the circumstances that Klall Yisrael finds itself in, and...

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Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan

To My Dear Kallas,  עמו”ש א גוטו חודש! So many thoughts, emotions… First though,  always gratitude, for being able to experience a yom tov with family, with children, with parents, with friends.  For the opportunities that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur allow us. For...

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Erev Yom Kippur

Hello my Dear Kallas, עמו”ש Really, my intention was to put some thoughts on paper before Rosh Hashana, but with all of the good intentions, I could not get it done…. I recalled a newsletter I once sent out to you (or should send out) about not being so hard on...

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Rosh Chodesh Elul

A Guten Chodesh! Here, we go, another transition!  From the laid back, more relaxed (I hope) structure of summer (like one young mother just told me, I don't think I made a normal supper all summer! -good for her!!), to go back to school, Elul, and the Yamim Noraim...

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Rosh Chodesh Av

Hello and א גוטן חודש! While cleaning out a closet, I found a bag that I didn't recognize. When I opened it and saw the contents, I was transported to another time, one I cannot believe really existed. It was 2 needlepoint canvases (partially finished)  with tons of...

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Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

  To My Dear Kallas עמו"ש, A Guten Chodesh! It happens to all of us at one time or another. (I think I’m pretty average….) “I'm in a bad mood” It can be triggered by so many things; by not sleeping enough, by taking on too much, by not eating properly, by...

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Rosh Chodesh Sivan

To My Dear Kallas, עמו"ש א גוטן חודש! A number of years ago, I joined a group of friends in an early morning exercise class.  It was different, in that it combined rigorous exercise with positive affirmations. In the beginning it was very weird and super awkward,...

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Rosh Chodesh Nissan

To My Dear Kallas, עמו”ש א גוטן חודש! No matter your age or stage, it's a really really busy time of year! There are about a gazlillion things that have to get done whether you are making your own Pesach at home, cleaning your house, selling your house, traveling,...

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Rosh Chodesh Adar

Dear Kallas, עמו”ש א גוטן חודש!! I know that Rosh Chodesh has passed, and there are times, that this letter has come out because of technology problems, but this month I have nothing to blame but my own lateness, Thank you so much for your feedback and for your...

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Rosh Chodesh Shevat

Dear Kallas, עמו”ש א גוטן חודש! Thank you so much for all of your feedback, updates, and suggestions for topics; and each time someone suggests an idea to me, I know that behind that person, are many others who have experienced similar feelings, or situations, and...

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Rosh Chodesh Teves

  ראש חודש טבת Dearest Kalla, עמו"ש א פריילעכן חנוכה and א גוטן חודש  ! ב"ה  it has been a month of simcha for our family, as our youngest daughter Mimi is engaged.  I know many of you are thinking, “that can’t be for real, she was just born”. You’re right, she...

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Rosh Chodesh Kislev

Dear Kalla, עמו”ש A Guten Chodesh! When I am asked how I pick which idea I chose to share, my answer always is that Hashem chose it for me, because at some point during the month, I have a clear sense that others might be able to gain from something that I have...

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A Guten Chodesh!

Hello My Dear Kallas!   A guten chodesh, and a “gezinta vinter”! One of the suggestions that I often get from you, about upcoming topics, is “getting back into routine”, and it makes me smile because we have such a rich calendar, with so many ימים טובים, I feel...

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Rosh Chodesh Elul

Sorry, late because of my technical challenges! A Guten Chodesh my Dear Kallas, עמו” ש I guess I should start with those words I dread saying…. “As summer winds down” .... There is something magical and kid-like about summer for me, and being in a camp, I am so...

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Rosh Chodesh Av

Hello My Dear Kallas, The summer is such a paradoxical time for us. For many of us, it’s a break from routine, and we have more down time, and more time to do the things we don't get to during the year, and time to have fun (I am a big believer in fun by the way…. For...

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Vacation Reality Check

At some point, I think we all realize, (or should realize), that the “big” vacation that we feel we need, is often not going to happen. For many reasons.  It's often impossible to get away for an extended period of time because of family obligations, too expensive, so...

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You’ve got to be joking…..

  So the other day, one of my daughters called at a time of day that she usually doesn’t, and asked, “Ma, why did you send out a post about Pesach and sleep and why with the Irgun Shiurei Torah logo….?” No… So I checked, and sure enough, that’s what happened.  I...

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Sleep, the answer to (most) everything

  I know that I should not complain about this, and I should just be thankful, but my Pesach order was just delivered to my house and I had an adult version of a meltdown.  Box after box (ב"ה)  of food, chicken, meat, fish, vegetables. I really am so grateful....

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Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

To My Dear Kallas, עמו"ש Firstly, a guten chodesh!  Welcome to summer, and a change of pace for many of us! I want to share something I learned a number of years ago that has helped me immeasurably, in so many areas of my life. It’s called the STEAR cycle, and if we...

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Hello My Dear Kallas!

To My Dear Kallas, עמו”ש A Guten Chodesh Sivan! I’m writing this newsletter early in the morning outside on my porch, sipping a coffee, enjoying the gorgeous weather and feeling very grateful. Each month, I am confident that I will have an experience that will be my...

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Rosh Chodesh Iyar 2022

To My Dear Kallas, A Guten Chodesh! Whenever I go through something “life-altering”, I find that there are parts I really want to hold on to, (and yes, there are parts that I wish I could hit “delete” on too.) I know that there are women that this may upset, but...

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Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Hello My Dear Kallas, עמו”ש   !א גוטן חודש As soon as Purim is cleaned up and put away, ב”ה , we are on to the next. Our lives are just like that…. I remember once walking into Michael’s (a local craft store), on July 5th, and watching the employees taking down...

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Rosh Chodesh Adar 1

  To My Dear Kallas, ש“עמו  א גוטן חודש!   I’m not a big traveler or vacationer. I love the familiarly of home, and my traveling is limited to  visiting parents, children, or speaking engagements. The last time I was in ישראל ארץ was pre covid, 3 years ago, and...

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