No, seriously. 

So many of you actually asked for the story about how and why I do this thing where I have Shabbos ready by chatzos (essentially noon) on Friday. 

I’m going to have to guess that a bunch of you are new here, because it's not the first time I've mentioned this, but I'm happy to tell the story. 

21 years ago, I was hospitalized for my very first blood transfusion. (Yes, I am a vampire. I would not be here today if not for the eight people who generously allowed me to have pints of their blood.)This is not a picture of that time. This is a photo taken at my last blood transfusion. It's a terrible illustration for the story I'm trying to tell. Because I wasn't smiling at my first transfusion. I was too scared. 

It was an early Friday in December and everything happened so fast that my parents and I found ourselves with an unplanned and extended stay in hospital over Shabbos. 

The only childhood memory I have of my mother crying was late that Friday afternoon, when she lit the Shabbos candles. She said it was because in her whole life, she had never welcomed Shabbos in her weekday clothes. 

At the time (plugged into machines and watching someone else’s blood drip slowly into the port plugged into my chest), I didn’t make much of it. 

Because doesn’t everyone always light candles in their Shabbos clothes?

It was so much more than that Kindred.

My mother is superwoman (I get half my powers from her - The other half is Vampirism obviously). She and my father built and co-run a thriving corporation, and also, this is the woman who was also always on the school PTA, sewed our clothes, decorated homemade cakes, cooked for Chai Lifeline (when I was sick!) scrapbooked our photos (see scrapbook page above), and runs on the treadmill by six am every morning. 

And also, the role model who taught me how to welcome Shabbos.

In my home growing up, we all took erev Shabbos naps. Because there was nothing else to do Friday afternoon. 

The teens set the table Thursday night. 

We woke up to the smell of challah baking Friday morning. 

Meals were down to a science and prepped by the time we left to school Friday. 

And my mother went to work too!* 

* I keep mesorah, not by going to an office Friday morning, but by going to the gym

We would get home from school, eat lunch, and be showered and ready for Shabbos by 2pm, no matter what. 

There was never any rushing or chaos erev Shabbos. Everything was prioritized, organized, and executed because we all valued welcoming the Shabbos Queen with peace. 

The only noise in our home Friday afternoon was my father announcing over the intercom “Shabbos is in fifteen minutes!”

That was our signal to come stampeding down the stairs, to be around the table while our mother lit the candles, so we could be first in line for a hug. 

 (Who am I kidding. I was always the first. I’m the oldest. #privileges)

And so when my mom cried about lighting candles in the hospital, it wasn’t really about the clothes, it was about everything she values around Shabbos. 

I didn’t realize how deeply this moment had impacted me until I married and began bringing Shabbos into my own home. And because I was raised well, it’s been twenty years, and we’re all out of the shower by two, generally take naps, and often light candles a few minutes early. 

Vessel participants in this cohort amazed me by choosing to jump on this train. 

I was so moved at the comments flooding our WhatsApp chat, with participants saying this new way of bringing in Shabbos has changed their lives and family dynamics so powerfully.  

Ahuva wrote: "I never dreamed when signing up for Vessel that it would help me have such amazing Fridays!  Together with a tribe, it’s even better!"

Shaina responded, "I think for that alone it was all worth it!"

Rivky added; "I have chills thinking about what Vessel has accomplished for us - Helping Jewish homes wait for Shabbos in peace and harmony… Which hopefully, will flow over to the next generation, our kids." 

I know, I’m talking about Vessel when you want to hear more about Ignite. 

But it’s not about either of those really. 

It’s about both. 

And how these courses aren’t what they seem. 

They’re so much more than you’re bargaining for. 

 (...Like the bonus parenting call we're having Tuesday with Rabbi Ezra Max. Open to Vessel and Ignite participants. Register by Monday night to get in on that call!)

Miracles happen when intentional people come together. People heal, families grow, pain points evolve, and we actually get to be the change this world is waiting for.

Breathe easy, Shabbos is coming!

*פלא

(because it's Chanukah, a time of miracles, and I can't resist using my actual name when it fits so perfectly... my name in Hebrew means Miracle)* I love the questions coming in about Ignite, and I apologize that there's no way for me to personally respond to every email coming in. Stay tuned for an FAQ email coming next week.

However, if you read carefully most of the information you're looking for is right here on the site.

* Reminder! IGNITE25 is your coupon code for the duration of Chanukah. It's my gift to you. And if you know anyone who would gain from being part of the upcoming cohort - gift them by passing the info on!