Oregon State University and Corvallis, Oregon are home to a brand new Chabad house run by Rebbetzin Zahava Angster and her husband, Rabbi Menachem Angster.

In this eye-opening conversation, Rebbetzin Zahava tells her own personal story of growing up in the Bais Yaakov school system and then going to a Chabad seminary that changed her life. Rebbetzin Zahava talks about WHY Hashem (G-d) recreates us every moment of the day; He recreates us because each and every one of us has a specific mission and purpose that ONLY we can fulfill.

Rebbetzin Zahava shares examples with us from her own life about how we can all be a light in the world for others. Chabad was looking for emissaries specifically for Corvallis, Oregon for 10 years, and it was Rebbetzin Zahava and her husband who were chosen for this very important mission. By their openly Jewish presence, they elevate Corvallis. By elevating the physical, we bring Hashem down into the world. Who we are and what we do has a tremendous impact on our environment and also the whole world. We matter. Our actions matter. What we say and do matters. Each one of us is here for a reason. Rebbetzin Zahava's story is proof of that.

For further information, please email atrebbetzins@gmail.com

You're feeling stressed, tired, angry, or sad...so, of course you go into the kitchen and start eating that box of cookies, bag of chips, and the chocolate bar before starting on the peanut butter, the leftover chicken, and anything else that looks good in your fridge or pantry. This happens again and again. It's called emotional eating. You are feeling some type of painful emotion from an outside stimulus--the argument with your husband, your child that didn't behave, your friend that didn't show up, the situation that didn't go as planned--and instead of feeling the pain of the emotion, you stuff yourself instead (sometimes with food you don't even want.)

In this raw and authentic conversation, yoga instructor and Certified Health Coach (with an additional certification in the Psychology of Emotional Eating), Aviva Aberman, talks about the psychology of emotional eating...and how to stop. She brings in Torah concepts to help connect our mind, body and soul--true somatic healing. Aviva runs programs for women, on Zoom, in order to help them overcome emotional eating by feeling their emotions, and then healing them. You need to feel in order to heal.

Aviva takes women through her 8 step guidelines that help women go from unconscious eating (emotional eating) to conscious eating. But most importantly, Aviva shows, explains, and teaches people how to love themselves, which is REALLY what it's all about. She teaches women how to take care of themselves properly. Although manicures and pedicures are nice, the best self-care options include things like:

--thinking kind thoughts about yourself

--truly listening to your body and communicating with it about what you really want to eat (and it's not always chocolate cake)

--taking a short (or long) walk in fresh air

--davening (praying)

--meditating (it could be for just 15 minutes)

For more information on Aviva and her programs, please visit:

https://www.healwithaviva.net/

You can also email: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Amazing Speaker!!!

Rebbetzin Sarah Deitsch beautifully explains the meaning of Chassidism (Chassidut), and Chabad Chassidut in particular. Chabad is an acronym for Chochma, Bina, Da'at, which means Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge. Chabad Chassidut encourages Jews to use an intellectual approach to connect with G-d (Hashem.) The intellectual connection to our Creator will then go into our heart, and we will love Him completely with both our mind and our soul, and our body too.

Rebbetzin Sarah emphasized that another major component of Chabad Chassidus is love of our fellow Jew. We are all equal as Jews, and we all know something about Judaism (even if it's very little.) It's our responsibility as Jews to teach another Jew something that we know about Judaism so that their lives can be enriched. Chassidus really intertwines love of our fellow Jew, with love of Torah, and love of G-d.

Another meaningful aspect that Rebbetzin Sarah shared is the concept of hashgaha pratis, Divine intervention. G-d is involved in every aspect of our lives; not just the major events in our lives, but the little day-to-day moments too. He is always with us and watching over us. We need to make a dwelling place for G-d in this world. When we surrender to G-d, He enters our lives--this is why humility is important.

Also, Moshiach (messiah)! Chassidism emphasizes the coming of Moshiach. We can bring Moshiach by doing mitzvot to the best of our ability. Once Moshiach is here, there will be revealed G-dliness in the world. Hashem's presence will be revealed, not hidden.

We are encouraged to develop a deep connection to the Lubavticher Rebbe. When we visit the Rebbe's Ohel (burial spot) in Queens, NY, his presence is very much felt there, and it's easier to connect to him. When we pray at the Ohel, we are praying directly to G-d in the merit of the Rebbe. (We don't pray to the Rebbe, we pray to G-d.) If you would like to learn more information about visiting the Ohel, please email me at atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Some ways that you can bring Chassidus into your life today are:
1. Realize how important you are to G-d.
2. Educate yourself. Leah the book of Tanya (there are many English translations that are available in bookstore and online.) Learn the Rebbe's sichos too. The sichos are the talks that the Rebbe gave to his followers when he was alive. (Check out www.chabad.org)

Rebbetzin Sarah Deitsch is the co-director of the Schottenstein Chabad House on the campus of Ohio State University. She offers meaningful educational and social programming for the students to engage and deepen their connection to Judaism.