Amudim

When is the last time you checked in with yourself? Taking care of our mental health is not extra; it’s essential. We don’t have to grind our teeth just trying just to make it through Yom Tov. We can show up for ourselves in ways that matter NOW. In halacha, we talk about pikuach nefesh - protecting life. That also includes our emotional and mental wellbeing. Let’s try meeting ourselves where we're at with patience and love ❤️

Pesach is beautiful.... and for many, it brings up a lot at the same time. There’s the pressure, the expectations, the family dynamics, the long days, and the disruption of routine. And for those of us who are already struggling emotionally, mentally, or relationally, it can feel overwhelming before it even begins. So for today, we want to focus on something just as important: equipping ourselves for the harder parts. Tips and tools to set yourself up with support: amudim.org/make-a-plan-be…

Let’s be honest - this is what Pesach prep actually looks like. The house is upside down, there are crumbs we just cleaned somehow back again, kids are running wild, and the to-do list feels like it’s judging us. We start one thing, get pulled into three others, forget what we were even doing, and by the end of the day we’re exhausted and there’s the stress of how much is still left. And though it’s far from ideal - it gets done. Not because everything went smoothly, but because we kept going anyway.

Quick one for today: what worked for you last year? Not the perfect version of Pesach - the real version. What actually got you through? Lean on that. Repeat what helped, drop what didn't.  And while you're prioritizing, don’t forget to put yourself on the list. Even twenty minutes that's yours isn't a luxury. It's what gets you to the seder in one piece.

“I almost didn’t call… I didn’t think I was worth anyone’s time.” We hear that more than we should. And it’s one of the most dangerous thoughts a person can carry. You don’t have to be “fixed” to reach out. You don’t have to have the words. You just have to take one step. @zgluck

Plan your pause. Don’t wait until you hit your limit to come up for air.  Put at least one small pause into your day now. Ten quiet minutes.  A walk.  A shower.  A coffee sitting down.  A phone call with someone grounding. Short breaks really do make a difference, because they make all else feel more manageable. Need a quick reset? Try our Plan Your Pause tool - it takes less than 60 seconds: amudim.org/plan-your-paus…

Pesach is beautiful. And it’s a lot. With only two weeks to go, a lot of us be feeling the weight of it all - the cleaning, the shopping, the meals, the kids, the guests. So many overwhelming to-dos that we don’t know what to do or where to begin. We created a free Realistic Pesach Plan to help you focus on what matters, simplify what you can, and make the next two weeks feel more manageable. Download it here: amudim.org/realistic-pesa…

ALL of your feelings are valid. The joy. The anger. The confusion. The quiet sadness that shows up without warning. Every emotion you carry is proof that your heart is brave enough to feel. And through all of it, we are here to support you! 💞

Join us for a 1-hour Breath Awareness Workshop designed to help you come into Yom Tov with greater ease, calm, and connection. Date: Wednesday, March 25 Time: 8:30 PM EST With: Gitty Greenwald, LCSW Supported by: Myriam Lankry, LCSW RESERVE YOUR SPOT → amudim.org/breathwork

Turning the Wheel: You can’t build a Mishkan with only some of the people. Beautiful buildings mean nothing if people inside them are suffering in silence. Every person has a piece to bring. Every person belongs. @zgluck

You have ALWAYS been worthy of that same kind of love 💕🫶

For too long, our community has chosen the comfort of silence over the safety of our children. Nechama Meyer was 15 and a half - thrilled to finally be in senior high school - when Malka Leifer entered her life. What felt off in ways that were hard to name back then has a name now. And Nechama had the courage to say it out loud. All those who joined us at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim can attest that when Nechama finished speaking, Rabbi Daniel Coren asked everyone to stand - not just for the beautiful, courageous moment we had all just witnessed, but to say loud and proud that we stand with survivors. For everyone who has been silenced, doubted, or pressured to protect someone who did not deserve protection, we stand with you. Watch the full presentation here: amudim.org/surviving-thri… - including the U.S. premiere screening of Surviving Malka Leifer and a raw, honest conversation about trauma, justice, and what it really means to show up for survivors.

Becoming the person your younger self needed is one of the most powerful forms of healing.  It’s the quiet work of turning past pain into present safety, self-love, and strength. By offering yourself the compassion and tenderness you should have had all along, you became the person you needed most, and that is such a beautiful thing❣️

When it comes to times of crisis, sometimes we are at a loss for how to best support others and get the support we need. Rabbi Efrem Goldberg shared The Ring Theory by psychologist Susan Silk: Comfort in. Dump out. Offer comfort, presence, and care to those closest to the pain, and lean on others outside your circle when you need to process your own fears and worries. This way, we can be there for those who need our support while also taking care of our own emotional needs.

If Hashem still called them His people at their lowest, what does that mean for how we show up? In this week's parsha we see that even after the Chet HaEgel - Hashem didn't abandon Klal Yisrael. He told Moshe: "Go back down, bring them home." It is something we need to remember when we see people struggling today. These are our people. And we are tasked to bring them back. When we replace stigma with compassion, we're not just helping individuals. We're building a community where everyone knows they belong. @zgluck

When Rivki Rabinowitz asked Moran Stella Yanai - an artist and survivor of the October 7th attacks - how she balances not wanting to be defined by her experience as a hostage with speaking out publicly, Moran said: she remembers that version of herself. The one who cried, felt shame, and needed someone to look her in the eye and tell her it would be okay. So she became that person. How beautiful is that? Watch the full conversation: unitetoheal.com/chapter-2-life…

It can be very difficult for survivors to speak out, because too often abusers are protected while survivors are left isolated. Abuse thrives in secrecy and shame holds its grip when everything stays hidden. But when the truth is brought into the open, that grip starts to break. To all survivors: Your safety and mental health always comes first. You didn't get to choose what happened to you, but you do get to decide when, how, or if you share your story. We are so grateful to @breakingthesilencenow for her courage in speaking up - and for using her voice to make it easier for others to do the same. Join us this Sunday in Monsey Beis Medrash Ohr Chaim (Scheiner’s Shul) Tent Gimmel March 8 | 8:45 PM

This Sunday, Amudim is honored to host an important community program with Nechama Meyer, survivor of convicted abuser Malka Leifer. As Nechama shared: “Speaking out as a religious survivor is something I’m passionate about… I know I’m speaking to all those silent survivors who exist amongst us.” We would love to have you join us. 📍 Beis Medrash Ohr Chaim 📅 Sunday, March 8 ⏰ 8:45 PM

Purim Sameach to our incredible community ❤️ We hope your day is filled with meaning, joy, laughter and connection. At the same time, we are holding space for anyone for whom today is heavy - recovery, anxiety, family tension, loneliness, or just trying to get through it. If you’re in a position to give today, please consider donating - it’s what keeps our doors open for the next person who reaches out: donateamudim.org/purim-26

You don’t need to know why someone isn’t drinking - to respect their no. Let’s honor the simcha of Purim by making it safe for everyone 🎭