New Beginnings

The Life Waiting For Me: A Letter

By Rivka Mazal Tauber | September 15, 2022

This essay was workshopped in The Layers Writing Workshops. Dear Hashem,  You know everything that I have been through.  You…

The Next Chapter

By Shira Lankin Sheps | August 8, 2021

It’s funny how sometimes we end up creating for others what we need the most. The Layers Project was born…

Coming Back to the Mikveh

By Daniella Hellerstein | May 31, 2019

When my husband and I felt our family was complete, I chose a birth control that would accommodate that decision.…

Learning That I Deserve Love and Finding My Voice

By Tziona Achishena | March 3, 2019

TI always feared deep down that I would never be truly loved, just as I am. That fear comes along…

Feel All the Feelings, From Beginning to End

By Jennifer Mann | January 31, 2018

The year was 1998 and I was a senior in high school.  As I sat in Abigael’s Grill on Central…

Re-Learning How To Make Shabbat

By Eliana Sohn | January 31, 2018

For the first half of my life, Shabbat was made for me. I was born shomer Shabbat, or Sabbath observant,…

Sivan’s Story: Taking My Own Direction

By Shira Lankin Sheps | January 29, 2018

(1/5) “Every Moment Counts More Than You Realize” “I made my first movie when I was 15, on a small…

Creating a Marriage Through Differences

By Michali Friedman | January 27, 2018

The first year of marriage is often thought of as the honeymoon phase. Navigating a new relationship can be exciting,…

When I Ended My Marriage, I Chose My New Beginning

By Chana Shestack | January 25, 2018

Like many of my friends, I went to seminary after I graduated high school. I finally felt like I found…

Shira’s Story: Aliyah- A New Life

By Shira Lankin Sheps | January 22, 2018

(1/5) “Real Life vs. Dream Life” “My whole life I’ve always thought to myself, ‘Move to Israel. Live in Israel.’…

Taking Inventory

By Helen Zegeman Schwimmer | January 17, 2018

Now that I’ve outgrown the hand-me-down furniture stage and I’ve survived the crayon-marks-on-the-wall stage and I’ve eliminated every potty seat,…

Taking a Leap of Faith: Our Move to Atlanta

By Gila Daman | January 16, 2018

Last summer, I left my secure job, my family and my friends to move to Atlanta with my husband. I…