by Rachel Bergman

Even with the answered prayers, it’s messy and wonderful and exciting and boring. It’s life – with all the ups and downs and unceasing challenges.

by Rabbi Asher Resnick

My grappling with God in the aftermath of my daughter’s sickness and subsequent passing at age 14.

by Ali Begoun

The moment I realized that alcohol was taking far more from me than it was giving.

by Renee Skudra

How a twisted Star of David became the perfect representation of my connection to Judaism.

by Sara Yoheved Rigler

The real reason Catherine Shakdam rejected Shia Islam.

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

One woman’s incredible, complex journey to Judaism – a century in the making.

by Rabbi Tzvi Sytner

Concrete lessons from a miracle I personally witnessed.

by Rabbi Mikhail Zalman Dubov

Anytime the professor, a pastor, pondered a question about Jewish practice, she’d call on me and wait for my answer. I never had one.

by Rachel Ginsberg

By his mid-twenties celebrity photographer Jared Bernstein was part of the inner circle of rock stars, actors, and real estate moguls. Why did he walk away from it all?

by Donna Pellar

And discovering the healing power of forgiveness.

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

How can I “give” something to my father who is no longer alive?

by The Layers Project Magazine and Rachel Cohen

It’s time to free myself from the shackles of shame.

by Donna Pellar

During WWII my European grandparents heroically fought against evil. My spiritual search would reveal my family’s shocking past.

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

The six ways he changed my life can serve as a blueprint.

by Sofya Tamarkin

The statues forge a connection between the Polynesian ancestors and members of the community. I, too, have been looking to reconnect to the chain of my ancestors.

by Daniel Saunders

OCD lives in the world of doubt and uncertainty, in those horrible words, “But what if...?”

by Rachel Shoshana

by Devorah Vale

I was keenly aware that I was different than the non-Jews around me. It didn’t help that my best friend often reminded me that I was going to hell because I was Jewish.

by Chaya Baumwolspiner

At age 38 Jennifer Teege, a black German, discovered that her grandfather was Amon Goeth, the villain of Schindler's List.

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Locked in a cell with no cell phone, Mark Moskowitz faced his demons.

by Aryeh Rosenzweig

Growing up, Hanukkah – and just about everything about Judaism – seemed vacuous and superficial. Then I started to learn.

by Debbie Gutfreund

When everything was going wrong, it was my son’s fearless resilience that opened my eyes and helped me find a glimmer of gratitude.

by aish.com

Aaron Feuerstein recently died at the age of 95. He was an icon of integrity and generosity.

by Billye Tziporah Roberts

My cancer scares have forced me to struggle with the reality that everything that happens to me is for my good.

by Leah Bat Chana

My eating disorder is the elephant in the room in my marriage and is a constant in my life.

by The Anonymous Blogger

How I wrestled with this overwhelming temptation.

by Rabbi Steven Burg

My father dedicated his life to the service of others.

by Rabbi Yaakov Cohen

Who are we praying to on Yom Kippur?

by Debbie Gutfreund

What do you do when everything you own is suddenly taken from you and you're fortunate enough to still have everything that really matters?

by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

Masha Merkulova immigrated to San Francisco and today empowers Jewish teens to stand proud for Israel.

by Rivka Mazal Tauber and The Layers Project Magazine

I was warned that I wouldn’t get anywhere in life being fat. And I believed them.

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Don't wait to say the things you've always wanted to say to those you love.

by Rabbi Levi Welton

My mother had very little Jewish upbringing. Her life changed when she had to take a public stand for what she believed.

by Rabbi Yaakov Cohen

The surprising impact from an unexpected letter from an old friend.

by Boruch Howard

Looking back on my life, I see the little marks in the road that God placed to help me find my Truth.

by Sarah Pachter

How one family dealt with this devastating challenge.

by Sara Yoheved Rigler

When souls of the Holocaust return in our generation.

by Sarah Pachter

Doug Rosen is using his difficult struggles with drugs to help others.

by Anais Margolis

My sister-in-law died a year ago, alone during the pandemic, and mixed with the profound sadness is the lingering thought: Could I have done more?

by Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith

Springsteen helped me get through my angst-filled years as a teen.

by Sara Shamansky

Why one Orthodox woman chose to have an abortion—and how she felt about her decision.

by Shlomo Horwitz

During the Holocaust these nuns hid Jewish children. Sometimes they didn't want to let them go.

by Elias Neibart

Have you put on tefillin today? The question was almost rhetorical – of course, I hadn’t. I am Jewish – but not that kind of Jewish.

by Avi Liberman

Some facial paralysis, 32 staples in my skull, and overwhelming concern from loved ones have given all kinds of new meaning to 'the show must go on.'