Lieba Rudolph

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Dec 30, 2016, 7:19 AM

B"H Zev and I were outside of Walgreens in North Hollywood, California, where our son-in-law Nachman was putting up signs for his Chabad community's Chanukah event. He wished the obviously Jewish-looking man a Happy Chanukah. "I'm not Jewish," he answered, "but...

Dec 23, 2016, 6:33 AM

What’s the spin?

B"H You've heard the classic joke about every Jewish holiday: "They tried to kill us, we won, let's eat." There's truth to that, but it's never the whole story, especially with Chanukah. In the Chanukah story, the military victory is the...

Dec 16, 2016, 6:15 AM

The Other Holiday in Kislev

B"H Everyone knows Kislev is the month of miracles, with Chanukah as our emblematic holiday of Jewish victory over all physical and spiritual opposition. Less well known is the holiday of Yud Tes Kislev, the nineteenth day of Kislev (corresponding...

Dec 2, 2016, 6:30 AM

Legacy of Mumbai: Is It Light Yet?

B"H For reasons known only to G-d, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivkah were murdered in their Chabad House in Mumbai on November 28th, 2008. Along with four of their guests, they were brutally tortured and killed, targeted for...

Nov 18, 2016, 6:52 AM

Five phrases every Lubavitcher wants you to know…

B"H When my husband and I decided to become observant through Chabad 30 years ago, I was overwhelmed by how much I didn't know. By memorizing a few key Hebrew and Yiddish phrases, I felt more authentic around my new friends....

Nov 10, 2016, 7:03 AM

On the go with G-d

B"H A man wins the lottery comes home to give his wife the exciting news. " I can't believe it! I finally won! Hurry, pack your bags!" The wife is overwhelmed. "Wh-where are we going?" "I don't care where you go," he...

Sep 30, 2016, 8:36 AM

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Tishrei

B"H Talk about "kitchen debate." Over the years, I've heard women discuss which holiday season is more demanding, the eight days of Pesach in the spring or Tishrei's month-long "season of rejoicing" in the fall. When I first became observant,...

Sep 23, 2016, 5:02 AM

What’s the greatest blessing of an imperfect childhood?

Nibble, nibble like a mouse. Who's that nibbling at my house? It was a thrill I'll never forget--my second grade debut as the witch in "Hansel and Gretel." Apparently, I nailed the part; family lore has it that my teacher...

Sep 16, 2016, 3:50 PM

Why our crazy world is actually good for the Jews…

B"H As a mother, I learned that just because you don't get paid doesn't mean you don't work hard. It also doesn't mean you aren't hugely satisfied by the job and committed to succeeding. Motherhood was good preparation for my current...

Sep 9, 2016, 4:52 AM

There’s a woman begging to be seen…

B"H "The whipped cream will just be a few minutes. Is that okay?" "Sure," I smiled. Being patient can be challenging for me, but I didn't mind this time. I was getting the "hot chocolate with whipped cream and a large...

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About Me

Lieba Rudolph, her husband, Zev, and their young family returned to observant Jewish life when they were both over thirty. Now, after spending equal time in both worlds, she shares the joys and challenges of her journey, answering everyone's unasked question: why would anyone normal want to become religious?