PEACE with Penny

Complacent No More! Blasted from Complacency: A Journey from Terror to Transformation in Israel is AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SALE NOW!!

Complacent No More! Blasted from Complacency: A Journey from Terror to Transformation in Israel is AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SALE NOW!! Complacent No More! Blasted from Complacency: A Journey from Terror to Transformation in Israel is AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SALE NOW!! June 6, 2019 How Do I Feel? HAPPY!!! excited, nervous, curious—a whole roller coaster of feelings. A… Continue reading Complacent No More! Blasted from Complacency: A Journey from Terror to Transformation in Israel is AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SALE NOW!!

Be the Hero of Your Own Story

Michael Ashley

Be the Hero of Your Own Story Be the Hero of Your Own Story October 8, 2018 I recently attended Publishers and Writers of Orange County, and boy do I love being around other authors and writers! The cornucopia of the talent combined with the depth of knowledge of the speaker Michael Ashley really caught… Continue reading Be the Hero of Your Own Story

Graduation and Life’s Transitions

Graduation and Life’s Transitions Graduation and Life’s Transitions June 16, 2018 Graduation and life’s transitions are on my mind. My son just graduated high school. Life is every cliché, time does fly by. He is smart, kind, got accepted into a great college and has a bright future ahead of him. At graduation, my Valedictorian… Continue reading Graduation and Life’s Transitions

The Heart of Our 2018 Temple Women’s Retreat

2018 Women's retreat cup

The Heart of Our 2018 Temple Women’s Retreat The Heart of Our 2018 Temple Women’s Retreat March 30, 2018 You might wonder, Why Penny would you take time out of your overly-busy schedule to go on a women’s retreat? Well if you have to ask, you’ve never been, or are a man. I tried to… Continue reading The Heart of Our 2018 Temple Women’s Retreat

Our Meditation Retreat 2018

"The Spirit of Judaism"

Our Meditation Retreat 2018 Our Meditation Retreat 2018 February 12, 2018 Is going on a meditation retreat something that’s on your bucket list or something you ponder whether or not you should try? These are my musings on our temple’s recent meditation retreat. Please forgive the length — I know long from me is nothing… Continue reading Our Meditation Retreat 2018

Manifest Your Dreams in 2018

Writers4Writers 2nd Anniversary

Manifest Your Dreams in 2018 Manifest Your Dreams in 2018 February 1, 2018 I’m so excited! Writers4Writers celebrated our 2nd Anniversary. How many of you know I have a writers’ support group called Writers4Writers? Yes, the marketing thing is something I’m going to conquer this year and I’ve been working on updating my website. Soon… Continue reading Manifest Your Dreams in 2018

2017 Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner Packing Experience

wrapped dinners

Sunday was one of my favorite days of the year — it was our annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering and Food Packing Party. The congregations of Temple Beth El, the Orange County Islamic Foundation, and Shepherd of the Hills Church, had come together to give thanks, and to volunteer to help others less fortunate. This was the… Continue reading 2017 Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner Packing Experience

Meditation – A Key to Unlock the Real You

I’m so grateful. On my journey to becoming the latest version of me, I learned to meditate using the first of the Oprah & Deepak 21-Day Meditation Challenges and have participated in each one since.  Their first was in March 2013.  The latest series is starting on Monday, October 30, 2017, “Making Every Moment Matter.”… Continue reading Meditation – A Key to Unlock the Real You

A Brush with Death During the Days of Awe

The Days of Awe for Jews are the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur  and they’re still lingering on my mind. But Penny, you wrote a blog for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, what more could you have to say… During these days according to our tradition, God records in a book (great… Continue reading A Brush with Death During the Days of Awe

The Masks We Wear

Do you ever think about the masks you wear? We show to others what we hope they will perceive as our best sides – all shiny and polished.  We fool ourselves and think we keep the damaged parts hidden. They’re not. If it makes you feel any better, many of our scars originated from our… Continue reading The Masks We Wear

A Meditative Shabbat in Santa Barbara

Have you ever been on a meditation retreat?  Combining being Jewish and meditation is a fairly new experience for me.  Not until last year were the two joined in my world – during my first meditation retreat.  I found the time of deep introspection to be a precursor to one of the most creative, joy-filled years… Continue reading A Meditative Shabbat in Santa Barbara

Birthday Celebration Part II: The Girls Weekend Adventures

I love new experiences and my birthday this year was chock full of them : )  On the way home from my meditation weekend celebration (My Birthday Celebration Part I: Miracle on the Mountain),  my husband and I stopped by at the historic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in downtown Riverside for brunch – delicious… Continue reading Birthday Celebration Part II: The Girls Weekend Adventures

My Birthday Celebration, Part I: Miracle on the Mountain

As my 60th birthday approached, I wanted to do something different that would help prepare me for this next decade ahead.  For me turning 60 – an age that seems old to some, is new and exciting.  I truly believe that this will be my best decade yet.  I’m old enough to make decisions that… Continue reading My Birthday Celebration, Part I: Miracle on the Mountain

Meditation Opened My Heart and Mind

I’m so grateful.  On my journey to becoming the latest version of me, I learned to meditate using the Oprah & Deepak 21-Day Meditation Challenges.  Their first was in March 2013.  The latest one, Become What You Believe, is just ending.   You still can sample it for a few days for free : ) They… Continue reading Meditation Opened My Heart and Mind