A Vision of Jewish Joy

Shabbat Shalom - Balak - 7.11.2025

Now-a-days, many people ask me where I came up with the idea for Jewish Joy Con. The truth is, I don’t remember. Like most of the big and disruptive ideas that have come about in my life, they seemed to simply form—Athena bursting fully formed from the head of Zeus. I get an idea. A phrase crosses my mind, and in a moment, I know. I need to make this thing happen.

I felt that way about my first book, The Matzah Ball. And I felt that way about creating The Jewish Joy Box. In fact, for the first few months after I had the idea, I would wake up from a deep sleep at three o’clock in the morning, my heart pounding, knowing I needed to make this thing happen. And yes, the same thing happened with Jewish Joy Con. I had a vision. I saw it clearly. But all the other pieces, all the serendipitous moments that brought these thoughts from my head into some form of reality—that is... ten thousand percent, both the hand AND the finger of God.

Baruch Hashem.

This week’s Torah portion, Balak, is about a prophet named Balaam. Hired to curse Israel, he attempts this task three times. Yet every time he opens his mouth, only blessings come out.

Of course, our commentators have a wide range of interpretations on this event. But my favorite comes from the Sefat Emet, who teaches that the real miracle was not that Balaam blessed Israel, but that he was forced to see their inner beauty and wholeness—and being confronted with such beauty, could not help but speak it aloud.

I’m not a prophet. But I know I have a gift. I’m able to see the places where spaces exist. I’m able to see what is missing, and who in the process, has been forgotten. Maybe I see these things because I have also been this person, the one left behind, the one undervalued—seeking community and acceptance. It’s because of my experiences in life that I fight so hard for joy.

My belief in these projects are rooted in my faith, in the unshakable conviction that we, as Jews, are God’s carriers of light, resilience—that we have a sacred purpose. And that my task, which began as a vision at three o’clock in the morning, is simple. To remind every person who needs to hear it that their Judaism is beautiful, that their stories matter, and that connecting to God through Jewish joy isn’t just possible—it’s holy.

Yes, my friends, I see you. And I am making space for you, too.

I hope you will join me.

Shabbat Shalom.