Rebbetzin Dini (Dina) Coopersmith is the trip leader and coordinator of women's learning trips to Israel through Women's Reconnection Trips. She has a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Jewish History. Rebbetzin Dini teaches in a number of seminaries in Jerusalem, where she lives with her husband and children.

From this situation, only good will come, was the central theme of our enlightening conversation. Emunah--the belief that everything comes from Hashem (G-d), everything He does is good, and everything He does has a purpose--is the way Rebbetzin Dini lives her life. This is also the theme that runs through her Reconnection trips with women.

The Level Up women's emunah and solidarity missions are designed to help women reconnect with each other, with themselves, and with Hashem, in a truly transformative way. The women visit historical places in Israel and they also spend time with people and families whose lives were directly impacted by the events of October 7. When women connect to women, in an authentic and compassionate way, they have the capacity to truly uplift each other's souls.

Rebbetzin Dini also describes some of the classes that Reconnection Trip participants experience. She speaks about a beautiful class where women learn to identify their purpose and their tikkun in life. Also, she speaks, in depth, about a class on emunah that calls women's attention to:
A--appreciation for all the Hashem has done for you
B-belief and connection to Hashem
C-communication through prayer
D-declaring your beliefs and positive affirmations out loud
E-expecting the best from Hashem

For more information on Rebbetzin Dini's Reconnection Trips, please visit:
https://www.reconnectiontrips.com/

For Rebbetzin Dini's YouTube channel, please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/@dinicoopersmith

Contact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker.
Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.

To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/

You asked, Rikki Jacobson Davis answered YOUR questions on dealing with the narcissist in your life.

Rikki was originally on our podcast a few episodes ago, talking about narcissism and narcissists. If you missed that conversation, definitely check it out. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Jof1QdtUQ&t=6s

In today's interview, Rikki addressed questions that she received about labeling narcissists, specifically about labelling the lens through which you see the person through their consistent dynamics and behavior.

In terms of whether or not it's possible to have a relationship with a narcissist, Rikki encourages us to take into account our emotional and physical safety (and that of our children) and also respect (does the narcissistic person in your life respect you? Do you have respect for them?) Are you able to set boundaries with this person?
Emotional and physical safety, and respect are key ingredients to successful relationships.

Rikki also speaks about the role of compassion in dealing with a narcissist. She explains that compassion is a value, and values don't come in a vacuum. In other words, we should consider expense at which compassion comes. Are you having compassion for the person in order to get something from them? Is having compassion for that person compromising your safety or the safety of your children? Is having compassion for that person beneficial for them? Are they even open to receiving compassion?

Rikki emphasized that we need to get clear on our values so that we can stay true to ourselves and not lose our self identity in trying to placate or manage the narcissist.

She also discussed emotional abuse and psychological abuse, as well as gaslighting. Gaslighting is the systematic breakdown of your trust in yourself. Is the narcissist in your life trying to make you doubt yourself, your behavior, or an event that actually happened (and they say it didn't happen)? Are they constantly distorting reality? There is both intentional and unintentional gaslighting.

You can reach Rikki through her website: www.relationalresilience.com

You can also email: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/

I am NOT my struggle, I AM my LIGHT. Very powerful words from Rebbetzin Ruty David, who is renown for her relatable manner and non judgmental way of engaging. She is authentic in her passionate commitment to spread Torah values as she works with the many brides who seek her out to help prepare them for their weddings. She also focuses on energetic healing to help people shift from self-doubt to self-empowerment.

In our engaging conversation, Rebbetzin Ruty explains to us how we can find the light of Hashem inside ourselves and inside of others, including our husband.

The first thing you need to do is to realize that Hashem chose YOU to radiate YOUR light--if He hadn't chosen you, then you wouldn't be here. Once you know yourself, you know Hashem. His pure essence is inside of you.

Next, you need to understand that your TRUE ESSENCE is your LIGHT. Your soul is pure light. The darkness you experience is just the yetzer hara (the evil inclination.)

Wherever you have the greatest struggle, you have the greatest light. If you want to know where your strengths are, look at your weaknesses. If you are struggling, turn inward and listen to your intuition. Your intuition is a soft voice; it's Hashem's voice guiding you. Listen to that voice.

When things are hard for you, sit with your pain for a while. Express your pain. You can journal or write down your feelings. Then move the pain out of yourself through exercise, dance, music, or anything that moves the pain out of your psyche. You don't want to hold on to pain.

Show yourself compassion, but don't drown in self-pity. Look for your inner light. Your intuition will guide you to see your light and, therefore, your strengths. It will allow you to shift your beliefs from 'I'm not good enough' to 'I am a shining light of goodness.' By sitting with your pain and then shifting your mindset, you give yourself compassion with boundaries--Tiferet.

Once we shift our mindset, we shift our energy. When we shift our own energy, creating a positive, loving light, others feel our energy shift, and THEIR energy also begins to shift, and they are more receptive to us. Our husband, children, family, friends, potential clients, will be drawn to us because we are radiating happiness and positivity. People want to be around light, not darkness.

Also, we need to see the light in others, including our husband. The more light we see in ourselves, the bigger that light grows inside of us. Consequently, the more light we see in others (especially our husband), the more their light grows, and the more radiant they become.

When you see the good in yourself and in others, your mind becomes accustomed to seeing the good, or looking for the good, instead of the negative. When you look for the good, you will find more good--both in yourself and in others.

You can email me at: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/

The Omer is the 49-day time period between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot. During this time, we climb up the emotional ladder by refining our character traits and regaining control of our emotions. We do this by focusing on the sefirot. A sefirah is an emotional attribute. For each of the 7 weeks between Passover and Shavuot, we focus on one sefirah each week.

Rebbetzin Sara-Tova Yaffe, of the CBD Chabad Sydney, in Sydney, Australia, takes us through each of the 7 sefirot, and explains them in detail.

Chesed--Kindness/love/benevolence
This is the most important aspect for creating a foundation in our relationships. Rebbetzin Sara-Tova talks about the different types of relationships that we have: intrapersonal (the relationship you have with yourself), interpersonal (your relationships with others), and your relationship with Hashem (G-d). Chesed encompasses how we give and receive love.

Questions to ask yourself relating to Chesed: Do I take into consideration my partner's capacity to receive before I give? Do I see my loved one as an extension of myself and my needs?

Gevurah--Discipline/justice/boundaries
This is the channel through which we express our love. It gives us our direction and purpose. It makes our love focused and purposeful.

Questions to ask yourself relating to Gevurah: Is my discipline restrained or is it excessive? Am I arrogant in what I consider justice?

Tiferet--Compassion/harmony/beauty
This is the perfect blend of chesed and gevurah. Tiferet is the truth, and it rises above the ego. It brings clarity to relationships. Tiferet helps us balance our needs with another person's needs so that we are not over giving or over taking.

Questions to ask yourself relating to Tiferet: Is my compassion enduring and consistent? Do I bond with the one you have compassion for, or do I remain apart?

Netzach--Victorious/enduring/ambitious
This is our drive, determination and tenacity to reach our goals. Netzach gives us the patience and the persistence to go after our dreams and desires without giving up. It brings security and commitment to relationships.

Questions to ask yourself relating to Netzach: Does my determination compromise my compassion for others? Am I able to rise above my ego and empathize with my competitors?

Hod--Humility/splendor
Hod gives Netzach direction. It gives us the awareness that Hashem is really the One who controls our success. As much effort as we put in while we persevere, it is Hashem who decides the outcome of our efforts. Hod brings awareness that all our gifts and blessings are from above, so we should not be boastful.

Questions to ask yourself relating to Hod: Does my humility cause me to be anti-social, or does it express itself in empathy for others? Does my humility create an everlasting foundation upon which I and others can rely and build?

Yesod--Foundation/bonding
Yosod is the ultimate attribute of emotional connection. It is the fusion of individuals together; not two separate people, but rather two people coming together as one person, through the act of bonding. This brings a sense of belonging to a relationship.

Questions to ask yourself relating to Yesod: Is my bonding conditional? Do I withdraw when I am uncomfortable with my friend's troubles?

Malchut--Kingship/sovereignty/nobility
This is a state of being; the way you show up in the world. Malchut is how you hold yourself and present yourself to the world. It's an expression of dignity.

Questions to ask yourself relating to Malchut: Am I aware of my limitations and my strengths? Do I respect the authority of others?

You can learn more information by visiting the Meaningful Life Center website: https://www.meaningfullife.com/

You can also email me at: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/

The way the world functions works through women. Our world moves through seasons. Similarly, women go through different phases in their monthly cycle that correlate with the seasons of nature. As women, when we understand the way our menstrual cycle works (even in perimenopause and menopause), we are able to better understand ourselves, especially our moods, our energy levels, and our natural tendencies during different times of the month.

Malka Chana Amichai, a certified Postpartum Doula, is passionate about helping women connect to their femininity. Her mission is to educate and support women to be active participants in their own life experiences. She expanded her practice to become a Prenatal Yoga instructor, a Kallah teacher who gives premarital education to brides, and a sexual health mentor. He main objective is to empower women in their womanhood and to facilitate their reconnection with the divine feminine that flows through all of us.

Below are the phases of our menstrual cycle, as they correspond to each season:

Menstrual Phase--Winter--just like when it's cold in the winter, we cuddle up with cozy socks and a warm blanket, and tend to stay home, during the time we are menstruating, women go inward. They want to spend more time at home; they tend to want to be by themselves; they do a lot of inner work and self-care during this time of the month.

Follicular Phase--Spring--just like in the spring when the flowers start blooming, and the weather starts getting warner, women start coming out of their shell more. They tend to want to be around people a bit more than during the menstrual phase. They experience more creativity, inspiration and hope.

Ovulation Phase--Summer--just like in the summer when it's hot and everything is in full bloom, women are more aroused, they want to be closer with their partner, they want to be around their friends and be much more social and outgoing. This is the phase of the month when they feel most connected to others.

Post Ovulation Phase--Fall--just like the fall is the transition between summer and winter, the post period phase is an in between time for women; a type of 'nowhere zone,' where we feel that we're neither here nor there. This is the time when we experience higher than usual anxiety.

If you are in the perimenopause or menopause phase of your life, you can still connect to your cycle through the phases of the moon.

Rosh Chodesh is a women's holiday, and it's marked by the New Moon.

New Moon--correlates with the menstruation phase (winter)
Waxing Moon--correlates with the follicular phase (spring)
Full Moon--correlates with the ovulation phase (summer)
Waning Moon--correlates with the post ovulation phase (fall)

Malka Chana also talks about how mothers can introduce the concept of menstruation and periods to her preteen or teenage daughter, and how mothers can transmit to them the beauty of being a woman.

For more information on Malka Chana, visit her website: https://www.bohemianbalabusta.com/about-me/

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/

Attachment styles are our emotional blueprint, formed in our childhood, for the way we give and receive love, and for our ability (or inability) to feel safe and emotionally close to others. There are four primary attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized. Each of these attachment styles is very clearly explained by Dr. Marnee Firestone, a licensed psychologist in Boca Raton, Florida, who provides individual therapy, family and parenting therapy, and conducts a variety of evaluations, including neuropsychological evaluations.

1. Secure Attachment--this is the most healthy and balanced attachment style. The person is emotionally available for intimacy, as well as independence, without feeling fearful or guilty. They tend to be calm and well balanced. A person with secure attachment most likely received consistent love, validation and nurturing as a child.

2. Anxious attachment--someone with this attachment style has a deep fear of abandonment. They seek constant love and reassurance. They can be overly smothering. They panic easily and they feel overly responsible for everyone and everything. They feel a personal sense of failure if their child is struggling, and tend to micromanage their children. A person with anxious attachment style was most likely given inconsistent love and care. Their emotional needs were sometimes tended to, and other times rejected or dismissed.

3.Avoidant attachment--someone with avoidant attachment seeks to escape conflicts or arguments in the relationship. They are scared to show emotion or affection because they are scared of being rejected or neglected. They tend to withdraw from both intimacy and arguments for fear of not being accepted by their spouse. A person with avoidant attachment most likely did not have their emotional needs met. They were either ignored from expressing their feelings or discouraged from showing emotion. They did not have a place to safely express themselves, be heard, and be shown love and affection.

4. Disorganized attachment--someone with disorganized attachment has a push/pull dynamic. They intensely crave closeness, but once someone gets close, they immediately push them away because real intimacy is scary for them. They are highly emotional, have a heightened fear of abandonment (possibly to an extreme), and they are very reactive. They have difficulty self-soothing, and they tend to attract chaos in relationships. Disorganized attachment develops as the result of trauma in childhood.

Dr. Marnee explains how each of these attachment styles shows up in marriage and parenting. She assures us that attachment style is not set in stone for life. You can change your attachment style by becoming aware of what your attachment style is, and working to emotionally regulate yourself so that you can think clearly and respond appropriately to the people and situations in your life.

If you would like Dr. Marnee's free e-book on 4 Tips To Reduce Anxiety in Your Teen, please email me at: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

For families interested in Dr. Marnee's program, it is called Break the Anxiety Cycle. https://breakanxietycycle.com/

Dr. Marnee Firestone & Tamar Opp enheimer, LCSW, help parents of anxious teens by teaching them effective and practical strategies that are proven to support teens in building confidence, empowering them to pursue their goals, and ultimately bringing a sense of calm to stressed households. As we approach summer, many parents of anxious teens are searching for ways to reset and prepare their families for a better school year ahead. Break the Anxiety Cycle is a structured, parent-based program created to help families disrupt the patterns that unintentionally reinforce anxiety. Rather than placing the full burden on the teen, this program empowers parents with tools to create real change at home—reducing reactivity, rebuilding connection, and promoting resilience. This summer window—about 12 weeks—is an ideal time for families to slow down, reset dynamics, and implement new strategies without the pressure of daily school stress.


Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/

When you live your life with joy and calm, you can think more clearly and make better decisions.

Beverly Chimes is a social worker and a life coach with more than 20 years of experience. She is an expert at helping people untangle complex situations and relationships so that they can take care of their inner world and show up for themselves, and for others, with more ease.

In this lively conversation, Beverly teaches us how to avoid overwhelm and burnout.

The first thing that Beverly recommends to do is to take a few breaks in your day ON PURPOSE. Use those breaks to truly refresh you. Put your device down; no electronics. Have a snack while looking out the window. Step outside for 5 minutes to get a breath of fresh air. Sip on your iced coffee or drink a delicious glass of water while giving your brain and eyes a break from whatever it is that you were doing. Take this break on purpose, with a purpose--to clear your mind from chaos and allow it to relax and be calm.

The second thing that Beverly advises is to create joy ON PURPOSE. Identify a few things that you really enjoy doing (yoga, walking in nature, taking an art class, shopping, etc.) and schedule it into your calendar for a set day and time so that you can look forward to it. The more joyful things that you can regularly schedule for yourself, the better. When we do things in our lives that bring us joy, we become happier people. When we are happier, are thoughts become clear and our emotions begin to regulate and become balanced.

In order to further enhance our emotional regulation, we need to understand that thoughts create feelings/emotions, and those feelings/emotions create our actions. We act based off our feelings/emotions. If our emotions are not regulated, we tend to become explosive, rageful, anxious, and sad. We need to look at is what is actually happening before we become dysregulated. What thoughts were we having? What did those thoughts cause us to do? Quite often we have a narrative of our story playing and replaying in our minds every day; this could be things that happened in childhood, negative messages and limited beliefs. If we are thinking, and therefore living, from that negative place, we can't expect ourselves to emotionally regulate and we can't expect ourselves to be happy. In order to become emotionally regulated and happy, we need to work with someone to understand where our thoughts and limiting beliefs are coming from, and then discard those that no longer serve us.

To contact Beverly, visit her website: https://www.beverlychimes.com/

Contact: atrebbetzins@gmail. com

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/

Rebbetzin Chavi Welton, and her husband, Rabbi Levi Welton, were recently appointed shluchim (emissaries) for Chabad of Vanderbilt Alumni Association, working with your professionals in Manhattan. They will also be going on shlichus to Dix Hills, Long Island in New York, to help enhance outreach activities of the Chai Center, under the leadership of Rabbi Yakov Saacks. In addition to her spiritual work, Rebbetzin Chavi is also an OB-Gyn doctor!

Rebbetzin Chavi teaches us that childbirth has a very strong connection to Chasidus. She explains that according to Basi L'Gani, a Chassidic discourse written by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Jewish people are recognized as Hashem's bride, just like the woman is the bride to her husband, the chassan. Their purpose in this world is to elevate the mundane to the spiritual.

In terms of having a baby, the woman experiences a physical pregnancy and childbirth. She nurses, changes diapers, bathes, and provides necessary physical care for her infant. Spiritually, the Shechina is the feminine presence of Hashem (G-d.) Making a sacred space in our world for the Shechina to rest is a very feminine task. This is done by the woman as she raises her child to observe Hashem's commandments, and therefore elevates the physical to the spiritual, bringing holiness into the world.
The geula (coming of Moshiach--the Messiah) is often compared to childbirth. As the woman gets closer to actually birthing her child, her contractions get quicker and she experiences the most pain and discomfort. Similarly, as we get closer to Moshiach being revealed, the Jewish people are experiencing various forms of severe suffering (hostages, war, anxiety, emotional disorders, lack of shalom bayis, etc.) May Moshiah come soon so that we can experience true pleasure and peace!

Rebbetzin Chavi teaches us something very interesting about the word Caesar. The word, Caesar, means to cut. Thousands of years ago, Julius Caesar's grandfather was delivered by someone cutting his great grand-mother's stomach open to pull out the baby. This name, Caesar, stuck to future generations of the family.

Caesar was a leader. A leader does what no one else can do. When they need something to happen, they will go to all lengths and extremes, literally breaking down walls (both physical and metaphorical) to make it happen. When a woman delivers a baby via Caesarian Section (C-Section), the doctor literally breaks down a wall (the mother's stomach) to take out the baby. Spiritually, it is said that the women will bring Moshiach by 'breaking down walls' in their dedication to Hashem, keeping the mitzvos of the Torah, and raising children who act justly and morally, bringing Hashem's light into the world.

Rebbetzin Chavi goes on to speak about pregnancy and the post-partum period of childbirth, and shares insights as to how the chasidic perspective can enhance a woman's experiences in these phases of her life.

She also talks about the role that Chasidus plays in her job as a doctor and in her interactions with her patients. What resonated with me the most is the way she lives her life in total alignment with her Chasidic values and beliefs. She is an example of a righteous and wise Chasidic woman, and she conducts herself as such in the hospital with her patients. Leading by example, instead of forcing her beliefs on others, allows people to have the space to absorb her teachings and mannerisms, and to emulate them, if they choose to do so, out of their own accord.

Conact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Vera Kessler (host of America's Top Rebbetzins) is a certified life coach. She specializes in transformational life coaching and accountability coaching. She is also a motivational speaker. Vera's mission is to help women get out of survival mode and start thriving. She works with women who are committed to stepping into their own self-worth and creating the life they want to live--one that is full of joy, empowerment, meaning, and purpose.
To learn more, visit:
https://innerlifecoachingwithvera.com/