Samantha Barnett

Does my generation, witnessing skyrocketing divorce rates and illicit affairs plastered across the media, even believe that true love is possible? Do we realize what we are missing?

Optimism is contagious. We achieve the most when we pass on the tools of success to others. We must lead by example . . .

I stood outside staring at the dollar bill. I wondered why he wanted me to take his money. He could make a donation himself, right?

When I got my haircut, it was an experience. But for Jacob, it was an event. I had a professional cut my hair. He had his family and friends contribute . . .

In modern-day society, it is not always easy to be a woman. We are surrounded by billboards, magazines and actors that form not only our definition, but the world’s definition, of what is beautiful. Blame it on consumerism, but there’s always some product...

The black and white pictures I have of them stare back at me asking me not to forget. Keep these pictures precious. This is my face, this is my family, and this is who you come from. We may have physically left the earth but your heritage is part of us. W...

Even now, years later, the tune of that melody is still in my head. I access it when I need to unwind. I connect to it like the words of a lover's poem. Yet it went beyond what words could express. It was as if the rhythm of my soul could be found in betw...

In the silent moments of my candle-lighting, I imagine many Jewish women around the globe also lighting their candles. I feel we are unified for one small moment in our week. We may not speak the same language, and we may live at opposite ends of the glob...

"What is a Jew?" the teacher asked the class. I was at a conference in Los Angeles. Every type of Jew could attend and any attendee could present. This was my first class. His question got me thinking...

Perhaps my initial feeling of embarrassment stemmed from societal pressure. Thanking G-d just wasn’t in the script I’d been handed. But another part of me knew that I had discovered something beautiful. I decided to add the acknowledgement to my conversat...