As a great fan of Jane Austen, it’s not an exaggeration to say that I devour all sorts of material about the author and her life—tragically cut short at the age of forty-one. The daughter of an Anglican clergyman, Jane’s novels, as well as her personal correspondence, highlighted her connection to her faith. I respect and admire that. Austen wrote about her world and her surroundings. She used humour and sarcasm; she touched upon some heady subjects that are still relevant to this day. Yes, her stories have some swoon-worthy elements; but in essence, Austen allows us to look into a different society, a different culture, if you will. As a woman, an immigrant, and a Jew, I find that following in Jane Austen’s footsteps helps me find my voice. It gives me a platform to share my individual passions.
Everyone likes to go their own way—to choose their own time and manner of devotion: Jane Austen
I’m an independent author of Jewish historical fiction as well as Jane Austen Fan-fiction; however, my latest project is something altogether different. In following like-minded authors, who are also fans of Austen’s work, I came across the practice of keeping a devotional. To be honest, I had to do some research on the subject. I thought I stumbled upon a uniquely Christian practice. As it turns out, our customs are not so different. I believe I crafted something quite singular while paying homage to my obsession with historical pieces and my faith. From Meidelach to Matriarchs: A Journal~ Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today, is definitely Jew-ish.
Going down the proverbial rabbit hole that is research, I found that the practice of developing our character to more align with our “highest selves” is known as Mussar. Originating in the maxims written in the Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers), a modern movement of self-improvement took hold in the 19th century. Its sole purpose (pun intended!) was to help individuals cultivate personal virtues (middot) which, in turn, helped those individuals connect with the Divine. The aim of cheshbon hanefesh (accounting of the soul) is to promote healthy and nurturing practices, such as meditation, personal prayer, and, yes, journaling. Keeping a devotional, or a motivational journal, can help you reflect on your principles and what you’ve gleaned from life experiences, religious practice, reading, lessons, etc. It can help you focus on certain topics that may be causing stress, anxiety, or a sense of hopelessness.
Given the times, our community needs to reflect and be inspired. More than ever, women today need to acknowledge: We are standing on the shoulders of giants! We need to emulate their strength, courage, and compassion and match it with our own. We need to remember who we are and walk in that light.
What is the worst thing Satan can accomplish? To make a person forget that he or she is a child of G-d: Rabbi Shelomo of Karlin
It has been said that the words Fear not or Be not afraid appear numerous times within the Torah. We see the same refrain at least thirteen times in Psalms. There are twenty-six opportunities to read these encouraging words from the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah—not to mention the other, thirty-plus times we are commanded: Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. (Exodus 14:13). The Torah’s brilliance is highlighted by the fact that we are not only instructed not to be afraid, but we are also told: Do not be discouraged. That’s easy to say—not so easy to put into practice. Even the most faithful, the most courageous, person may stumble and lose their way. Fear is a natural component of our DNA and not necessarily a bad emotion. After all, we need to be alert and aware of our surroundings. Hopelessness is another matter. We lose faith, we become overwhelmed. Jennifer Wulff, Certified Spiritual Director, believes that expressive journaling has the possibility of being a powerful tool for deepening one’s spiritual life. By putting thoughts and emotions onto paper, you can explore your innermost thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. Expressive journaling becomes a sacred and holy space, where you can explore your deepest questions and strengthen the connections between yourself and the Divine.
From Meidelach to Matriarchs: A Journal~ Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today showcases one hundred women. Women from various eras. Women from diverse backgrounds. Women with different political opinions. Women of Valor. I share a brief snippet of each individual’s history and then provide prompts or questions for the reader to consider. This is a safe space for you to jot down your thoughts. The time set aside for quiet contemplation is for you alone—don’t worry what others think or how your opinions might not fit in with the crowd. It is an opportunity to resonate with those who came before us, to take the baton forward, and to take a stand alongside brave women who paved the way.
Some people pray and recite psalms and proverbs on a daily basis. Others say the words that are in their hearts and minds. Some people attend services every week. Others only go to synagogue during the High Holidays. As Jews, we have rituals such as our morning prayers, tefillin, and blessings of thanksgiving. We do charitable work. We light our Shabbas candles. Simply put, a motivational journal can be another ritual or tool for our spiritual growth.
The many sins most people commit are not great crimes. The great crime is that we are all capable of change/reform every day and we do not do it: Rabbi Simcha Bunam of Pzhysha
May I suggest you go on this journey with me? Take some time each day to read about one woman from our collective past. One woman’s story, that’s all. Think about her, where she came from, what she accomplished. Reflect on the barriers she had to overcome. Does her experience resonate with you? Allow yourself to question. Allow yourself to be inspired! There are prompts to jot down your thoughts, but use the other space to scribble a few notes, ask G-d for guidance—put things into perspective. I’ve also included a page where you can track your observations at the end of this journey. There is no pressure, no judgement. That’s the beauty of this journal. No one needs to know; it’s just between you and the Woman of Valor that lives inside you.
