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About the Author

Sara Debbie Gutfreund

Sara Debbie Gutfreund received her BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania and her MA in Family Therapy from the University of North Texas. She has taught parenting classes and self-development seminars and provided adolescent counseling. She writes extensively for many online publications and in published anthologies of Jewish women's writing. She and her husband spent 14 wonderful years raising their five children in Israel, and now live in Blue Ridge Estates in Waterbury, Connecticut, where Sara Debbie enjoys skiing and running in her free time.

Ninja Rabbi

Ninja Rabbi

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Akiva Neuman uses the same skills in training to be a rabbi to compete on American Ninja Warrior.

Because My Father Believes in Me

Because My Father Believes in Me

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My dad was there at 3 AM helping me train for the Boston marathon. He was there when I crossed the finish line too.

We’re Not Doing God Any Favors

We’re Not Doing God Any Favors

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All this time that I thought I was giving I was really receiving.

Thank You Israel

Thank You Israel

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My top seven gifts I’ve received from my beloved homeland.

18 Things I'm Letting Go for My Marriage

18 Things I'm Letting Go for My Marriage

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In honor of our 18th anniversary, here’s what I’ve learned to leave behind to have a great marriage.

The Most Important Message Graduates Need to Hear

The Most Important Message Graduates Need to Hear

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It’s not the most talented who succeed. It’s those who never stop trying.

Remembering Staff Sergeant Liel Gidoni

Remembering Staff Sergeant Liel Gidoni

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Liel was 20 years old when he was killed in a firefight with terrorists who emerged from a tunnel in Gaza.

The Three Main Passover Symbols: Pesach, Matzah and Maror

The Three Main Passover Symbols: Pesach, Matzah...

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The powerful gifts of gratitude, hope and grit.

Running Away from Egypt

Running Away from Egypt

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How to leave your narrow place and transform your life.

Being Curious About People

Being Curious About People

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4 tips on how to learn from every person.

Live Out of the Box

Live Out of the Box

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How to see life’s immense possibilities within the world and within ourselves.

For This Moment

For This Moment

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Like Queen Esther, we can channel our pain towards greatness.

Seven Habits for Happiness

Seven Habits for Happiness

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Simple, practical tips to increase your happiness today.

Amazing Ideas for Parenting Teens

Amazing Ideas for Parenting Teens

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Love them like you are running out of time, because you are.

Five Habits of Happy People

Five Habits of Happy People

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We can train our minds to be positive just like we can train our bodies to be in shape. Here’s how.

4 Defining Moments of Parenting

4 Defining Moments of Parenting

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Treasuring the gift of our children.

World’s Best Chef’s Suicide & the Poison of Perfectionism

World’s Best Chef’s Suicide & the Poison of...

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5 ways to combat the pressure to be perfect.

Henry Worsley & Risking It All

Henry Worsley & Risking It All

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The British explorer died attempting to cross the Antarctic unaided. Was it worth it?

Grow like the Trees

Grow like the Trees

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6 lessons in honor of Tu B’Shvat, the birthday of the trees.

Lessons from Running

Lessons from Running

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Because every mile is a gift.

Facing Life’s Big Questions

Facing Life’s Big Questions

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My daughters are asking questions that Google can’t answer.

7 Ways to Build Your Teens’ Confidence

7 Ways to Build Your Teens’ Confidence

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How you can help your children believe in themselves.

Seven Ways to Turn Goals into Action

Seven Ways to Turn Goals into Action

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Most people abandon their resolutions. Here’s how to ensure you keep them.

5 Expectations to Give Up to be Happy

5 Expectations to Give Up to be Happy

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Life circumstances don’t make us happy. It’s how we view what happens to us that makes us happy.

Living in Israel: Six Lessons

Living in Israel: Six Lessons

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Where the heart of the Jewish people lies, nothing is mundane.

8 Ways to Turn Darkness into Light

8 Ways to Turn Darkness into Light

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This Hanukkah choose to create your own miracles.

Six Ways to Be Patient with Our Children

Six Ways to Be Patient with Our Children

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Parenting is exasperating. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

8 Ways to be More Thankful

8 Ways to be More Thankful

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This Thanksgiving take the gratitude challenge.

7 Reasons I am Grateful to Be a Jew

7 Reasons I am Grateful to Be a Jew

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Why I am grateful to be a Jew today.

6 Inspiring Quotes on Transcending Limitations and Reaching Greatness

6 Inspiring Quotes on Transcending Limitations and...

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How to live relentlessly.

No More Monday Blues

No More Monday Blues

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Transform your weekdays with the gifts of Shabbat.

Six Ways to Conquer the Fear of Beginnings

Six Ways to Conquer the Fear of Beginnings

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On your mark, get set, go! Yes, go!

The Spiritual Bystander Effect

The Spiritual Bystander Effect

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The Jewish people needs your prayers.

8 Ways to Bring Inspiration into Each Day

8 Ways to Bring Inspiration into Each Day

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The holidays are over. Here’s how to hold onto the light.

Finding Shelter in a Transient World

Finding Shelter in a Transient World

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Six points to think about as you sit in your sukkah.

Ten Ways to Get Up After We Fall

Ten Ways to Get Up After We Fall

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How to keep trying even when we feel stuck.

5 Things to Do During Your First Year of Marriage

5 Things to Do During Your First Year of Marriage

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How to work on building your marriage every single day.

But I Haven’t Changed All Year!

But I Haven’t Changed All Year!

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4 common thoughts that block change before Rosh Hashanah.

8 Ways to Jumpstart Change

8 Ways to Jumpstart Change

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Great quotes to inspire personal transformation.

7 Ways to Worry Less

7 Ways to Worry Less

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Don’t worry, be happy. 7 great quotes with photos.

Courage & Faith: Tibor Rubin’s Heroism

Courage & Faith: Tibor Rubin’s Heroism

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An anti-Semitic sergeant couldn’t stop a Holocaust survivor who heroically served in the US Army from getting his Medal of Honor.

7 Things Happy People Don't Do

7 Things Happy People Don't Do

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How happy are you?

Never Give Up

Never Give Up

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8 motivating quotes to fire up your day.

8 Ways to Be a Better Parent

8 Ways to Be a Better Parent

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Because every parent can use a quick reminder.

Eight Things Women Say and What They Really Mean

Eight Things Women Say and What They Really Mean

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A user-friendly guide for men who sometimes have no idea what their wife is really saying.

Six Lessons My Father Taught Me

Six Lessons My Father Taught Me

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Life changing values to share with your kids.

Seven Warning Signs of Toxic Relationships

Seven Warning Signs of Toxic Relationships

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If these warning signs sound familiar, distance yourself as much as possible.

Ten Things I Wish I Knew at My Graduation

Ten Things I Wish I Knew at My Graduation

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Print and post on your fridge and read regularly.

8 Signs You’re Creating a Meaningful Life

8 Signs You’re Creating a Meaningful Life

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Taste the joy of living with purpose.

Sharing the Gift of Torah

Sharing the Gift of Torah

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Shavuot reminds me why I’m grateful for having the Torah in my life.