About the Author


Emuna Braverman

Please check out Emuna’s new book A Diamond for Your Daughter – A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Shidduchim Effectively, available through Judaica Press
Emuna Braverman has a law degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters in in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She lives with her husband and nine children in Los Angeles where they both work for Aish HaTorah. When she isn''t writing for the Internet or taking care of her family, Emuna teaches classes on Judaism, organizes gourmet kosher cooking groups and hosts many Shabbos guests. She is the cofounder of www.gourmetkoshercooking.com.
Do you want to deepen your learning and enhance your connection to the land of Israel? Join Emuna in February for a very special trip. Just a few spots remaining. Sign up now: https://www.goinspire.com/trips/destiny-february/


Unholy Thoughts on Yom Kippur

How do I let my soul soar while my body is desperately trying to ground me?

Emuna's Thoughts before Rosh Hashanah

Finding that balance between good enough and striving to grow.

Do This When Greeting Your Spouse at the End of the Day

This small change will make an enormous difference.

You're Bad: The Detrimental Effects of that Pernicious Label

Recognizing that we are decent human beings trying our best, we can be forgiving, and optimistic that we really can change.

Elul: If Not Now, When?

Our opportunities for growth won’t be here forever. If I want to grow, the time is now.

Help! I'm More Spiritual than My Husband

My husband is a great guy but he just isn't interested in talking about spiritual growth and issues related to faith in God.

Rebbetzin Faigy Hoch: My Teacher, My Friend

The world is a darker place without her bright smile and warmth, without her humility and constant gratitude.

The Rain in Maine

It's pouring outside and I love it!

My Broken Fridge

I can't believe I'm on vacation and sweating the small stuff!

Learning to Live with Uncertainty

How to attain greater peace of mind in world filled with risk and insecurity.

Not Coming to My Daughter's Defense

I remained silent when my very tall and very sensitive daughter was insulted by a friend.

Yearning for Jerusalem

Why Israel, Jerusalem and the Temple matter.

Holocaust Tiger Mom

A true story of incredible courage and determination.

The Drama-Free Relationship Fantasy

Life is not drama-free and neither are relationships.

Should I Visit My Dysfunctional Parents?

My husband thinks a visit is destructive to me and takes weeks for me to recover. I still love them and feel torn.

Synchronized Diving & Real Life

The dives were truly amazing, beautiful and graceful. But weren't they a waste of time?

Should I Tell My Kids that I have Cancer?

Since my prognosis is good, I want to avoid telling my children and spare them from unnecessary anxiety.

Summer Expectations

Comparing is totally destructive to our ability to enjoy the moment.

Earthquake: Shaken Up in LA

The earthquake has ended, but the jumble of feelings that it engendered have not.

It's a Cruel/Kind World

We can focus on the good or on the bad. One leads to happiness and light, the other to gloom and depression.

With Strings Attached

My boyfriend’s family showers us with gifts and money and expect a say in the most important issues in our life.

Turn Down the Noise

There’s no escape: restaurants, shopping malls, weddings all blast music way too loud.

Tool Box for Mother-in-Law/Daughter-in-Law Relationship

A crash course on how mothers-in-law can build a good relationship with daughters-in-law.

Why Visit Israel (Hint: Not for the Cuisine)

Israel? Oh, I heard the food is amazing!

Not Invited

I was taken aback by not being invited to a friend’s wedding.

The Woman Next Door

A Kiddush Hashem in Lakewood, New Jersey.

Help! My Sister-in-Law Hates Me

My sister-in-law is rude and hostile and something has got to change.

Your Real Competition is with Yourself

Our challenge is to do the most with the hand we were dealt. How others play their cards is of no relevance to us.

Love and Criticism

If we see someone we care about engaging in self-destructive behavior, we need to speak up. But how and when makes all the difference in the world.

Two Positive Stories about Orthodox Jews

What happened in Costco and the local kosher market.

Bragging on Facebook

Admit it: we enjoy the honor and praise we get after posting something about our good deeds.

How to be a Kindness Superhero

Are you emulating Arthur or the Almighty?

Should I Leave My So-So Marriage?

I was resigned to my mediocre marriage until I met a divorced man with whom I’m having so much fun.

What Kate Wore

We want to dress like the duchess because she exudes femininity, royalty and dignity.

Not In Control

A sudden emergency right before Passover gave me a sobering realization.

Should I Marry Him?

I really like him but he’s so different from the person I always imagine I’d marry.

Making Pesach

Why I love preparing for Passover.

Every Joyous Occasion is Different

Because each situation is unique and needs to be celebrated as such.

We All Have a Price

Contrary to what we may tell ourselves, it could be us splashed across the front pages of every newspaper.

Negative Online Comments

You’re in the swamp – be careful.

Susceptible to Bribe

We may fool ourselves into stating that we’re impartial but the psychological studies, and the Torah, tell a different story.

To Botox or Not to Botox

That is the question for this woman turning 50.

As I Get Older, Time Is Speeding Up

Jewish holidays remind me that time is whizzing by.

The Amazing Amazon Seller Story

There was a good reason his 28 iPads were all bought overnight.

I Can’t Stop Comparing Myself to Others

Jealousy is making my life miserable.

Delegating Kindness

Some things we should optimally do ourselves.

When was the Last Time You Looked at Your Husband and Beamed?

At a recent class we were all blown away at how the speaker’s wife looked at him.

Do You Have the Attention Span to Read this Entire Article?

Social media is wreaking havoc on our ability to concentrate and think.

A Friend’s Intervention

Sometimes our help can cause more harm than good.

Mommy, I’m Bored!

Your child does not need to be entertained every second.

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