Released on = November 16, 2006, 1:37 pm

Press Release Author = Fern Sidman

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = LIFE IS A TEST - How To Meet Life\'s Challenges Successfully

BY: REBBETZIN ESTHER JUNGREIS



BOOK REVIEW

BY: FERN SIDMAN




Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, move over. Your days are numbered. The pharmaceutical
industry will lose billions in revenue after readers get their hands on this book.
Simply put, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis\' new book, \"Life Is a Test - How To Meet
Life\'s Challenges Successfully,\" (Mesorah Publications) is the spiritual equivalent
to the myriad of anti-depressants on the market. There is no question that Rebbetzin
Jungreis has her finger on the pulse of the people. I would surmise that from her
vast experience counseling those facing a multitude of challenges that life
presents, she decided to write this book as an answer to a collective cry for help
from a lost generation, totally unequipped to understand the true meaning behind
life\'s trials and tests. Fear not reader, for it is Rebbetzin Jungreis to the
rescue. Your soul is about to get the ultimate work out, so get ready to stretch
your spiritual muscles and become reinvigorated as you read \"Life Is A Test\".





Press Release Body = This is Rebbetzin Jungreis\' fourth book and its magnitude of
depth, focus and analysis of our personal and communal struggles sets it apart from
any other treatises on this subject. It is written as a trilogy, combining three
books in one and takes the reader on a trajectory that is permeated with such a
genuine sense of warmth and love that can only be termed palpable. In a society
immersed in grotesque materialism, decadence and loss of any real and meaningful
direction and purpose, we are clueless about what life is really about and more
importantly, who we really are and what our potential could be. Rebbetzin Jungreis
is the consummate storyteller and it is through this treasure trove of true stories
do we begin to understand that our identity is not inextricably tied to our careers
or professions or the external superficialities that our culture imposes upon us.

Rebbetzin Jungreis utilizes the timeless wisdom of the Torah to illustrate her
points and to lead the reader on the road to true self-discovery. The book begins
with the saga of Sam, Phyllis and daughter Kelly (names changed to protect
anonymity), yet they could be any one of us. What follows is the story of the
personal transformation of these three individuals that is beyond miraculous. By the
middle of this book, the reader will feel a tangible connection to these people. Sam
is a man who suffered a tremendous financial loss in business and was forced to
declare bankruptcy. He and his family are secular Jews who turn to the Rebbetzin for
guidance at this stressful juncture in their lives. Sam\'s cynicism is all
encompassing, as it oozes from every pore of his body, while wife Phyllis is
concerned with social status and personal appearance. Daughter Kelly is a
35-year-old single career professional that has had her share of painful
relationships and is dubious about the prospect of ever getting married.

Through a series of counseling sessions with Rebbetzin Jungreis, rife with personal
stories of her own tests and challenges and those of her family, the Rebbetzin
explains that each of us is actually blessed by G-d with tests to assist us in
realizing our full potential. Rather than falling prey to depression, despondency
and hopelessness when we are tested by G-d, we have the G-d given power to change
our lives for the better. For each of us our potential is different, as we are
custom made by G-d and no two people are exactly alike and we must know that G-d
would never test us if we did not have the wherewithal to pass. As the Rebbetzin
states, \"G-d actually makes a portrait of what He intends us to become and equips us
with the necessary tools with which to realize His purpose. All of the tests,
trials, and tribulations of our lives are orchestrated by the One Above so that we
may fulfill this goal, and if you wonder whether you have what it takes to succeed
in this mission, be assured that G-d never makes mistakes - the very fact that it is
He Who created you is proof positive that it is within your capability to fulfill
this charge.\"

Sam, Phyllis and Kelly soon learn the sublime truth of this Divine message and
through their attendance and participation in the Hineni Torah classes; all three
become closer to G-d. They learn to appreciate and understand the power of prayer,
as they embrace the Torah and commandments. They begin to experience the kind of
happiness and joy that no amount of money could buy. They begin to understand what
life\'s tests really mean, what message G-d is sending them and they begin to deal
with problems and pitfalls with great equanimity.

The second installment of this book deals with interpersonal relationships and the
tests that are indigenous to them. Rebbetzin Jungreis speaks with the authority of a
clinical psychologist and marriage counselor as she imbues those she counsels with a
solid spiritual foundation and practical nuances that will assist them in making the
right choices. Whether it comes to looking for qualities in a prospective life
partner, to dealing with a marriage riddled with constant strife and infidelity, to
attempting to bring a potential intermarriage to a screeching halt, or dealing with
a rebellious, disrespectful and irreverent teenager, Rebbetzin Jungreis explores
these issues with the kind of depth and aplomb that is seldom spoken about by
television and radio psychologists and gurus.

The third and last section of \"Life Is A Test\" speaks of communal and global tests.
The Jewish nation stands at a critical and dangerous precipice in history. Global
anti-Semitism continues to dramatically increase, while natural disasters such as
tsunamis and Katrinas become more prevalent. The events of 9/11 still haunt us as it
stands as an eerie reminder of the beginning of the age of terrorism. Madmen, such
as Iranian President Ahmadinejad threaten to vanquish the State of Israel and to
annihilate the Jewish people, while the world remains silent. We are told by
Rebbetzin Jungreis that the putrid stench of hatred against Jews is reminiscent of
Europe in 1938. Rest assured that these assessments are not being promulgated by
paranoia, but by someone who lived through that nightmarish period and knows from
whence she speaks. Rebbetzin Jungreis implores us to recognize these \"wake up
calls\", to realize that the times that we are living in are indeed the times of
\"Chevlei Moshiach\', the birth pangs of the coming of our righteous Messiah. We are
being importuned by Rebbetzin Jungreis to recognize that these birth pangs can be
long and excruciatingly painful or they can be short and abbreviated, yet it depends
on us.

It is clear for all who have eyes to see and ears to hear, that Rebbetzin Jungreis
is a true Torah scholar. This book is replete with a voluminous amount of passages
from the Torah, Talmud and Kabbalistic sources and each is given more than ample
explanation as she delves into complex sources with such ease and finesse. What is
most remarkable is her knowledge of Gematria - (mathematical equivalents for Hebrew
letters) and how they apply to our times. Please don\'t skim this book - you\'ll miss
tons of amazing insights, and while we\'re on the subject of amazing and mind blowing
insights, please take note of the meaning of the number 11 on page 231. You will
never forget it.

Rebbetzin Jungreis\' message is clear, uncompromising and unremitting. Only through a
sincere return to G-d, only through genuine and heartfelt prayer, only through
performing acts of kindness, only through learning Torah will our lives and values
begin to take shape. Only then can we begin to experience the kind of contentment,
serenity and tranquility that our souls long for. Only then can we understand what
real happiness and joy means, only then can we save our nation from the plethora of
insidious haters who rise up to destroy us and only then will we merit G-d\'s
redemption on a personal and collective scale.

\"Life Is A Test\" is a must read for anyone seeking answers to the vicissitudes of
life, for anyone who has grappled with issues of self-discovery, and frankly, for
just plain anyone.

This book is a significant historical and religious contribution to the corpus of
books on Jewish thought and will be a welcome addition to any library.

A THUMBS UP !!! FIVE STARS !!



Web Site = http://www.hineni.org

Contact Details = Hineni
232 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10023
212-496-1660 - phone
516-371-2270 - fax
rebbetzin@hineni.org