During the Yamim Noraim (High Holidays) season this year, The Layers Project will be focusing on the concept of “Cheshbon Hanefesh”- “Accounting of the Soul”- on a personal and communal level. It is a time, where we are meant to reflect upon our actions, relationships, goals and connection to the Divine. For me personally, when I have begun to consider what the new year might bring, it is hard to look forward because I am still looking backwards in awe. This year was a time o

I will start with this: I am 31 and I just got married. The last 10 years of my life have been wonderful, meaningful, exciting, and... hard. In a community centered around family and children, it is easy to feel like an outsider. Yom Tov, family events, and milestones of friends can become challenging. Yet, what I found to be most challenging was the response of the community. Please understand this: I am not bitter, and I never was. I don’t hold any grudges. I loved my sing

In my experience, we often get stuck in the idea that to be right for each other, two people need to be like each other. We figure, this person has a logical, analytical way of thinking, she for sure needs someone similar, not the sensitive emotional type. That person is cool and friendly and outgoing, I'd never put her together with someone quiet and slightly nerdy. But compatibility doesn't mean "the same". I believe that as long as both people are happy with it and willing

The Hebrew word for faith is emunah. Having emunah is something that I struggle with in general. I want to feel like I am in the driver’s seat when it comes to my destiny and making big (and little) decisions. I love being under the illusion of control. So when it came to dating, emunah was an area that was especially challenging for me. In my early twenties, I put my heart and soul into spiritual growth; working on my character traits, as well as growing in my dedication to