Dear Shuli,
Mazel tov! Everyone loved your down-to-earth advice, and we’re pleased to tell you that you have won the Jewish Link of New Jersey’s Advice Column contest. Please share with your readers a little about who you are, what your perspective is, and the kind of advice you’ll be delivering to our readers.
Sincerely,
The Jewish Link Editors
Dear Jewish Link Editors,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of the Jewish Link community. I’m so excited and I promise to deliver an informative, helpful advice column to the very best of my abilities!
When I was in 9th grade, my English teacher assigned us a research report on any known person, dead or alive. At 14 years old, I chose Ann Landers. Ann Landers was the pseudonym used by Eppie Lederer, sister of Dear Abby. Every day in our local paper, Ann Landers would answer questions about everything from familial discord, phone etiquette, love relationships and more. She also stood firm in her sometimes controversial political ideas. But the point was, she stood firm. She stood for something. She helped people with their problems and did so through a lens of care, intelligence and thoughtfulness. So why, at 14 years old, did I choose to write about her? Because even then, I was the person that people trusted. I was the person people turned to when they were in crisis, or if they just needed someone to lean on.
Who am I? I’m a mother of young children. I live in Bergen County. I am an educator and a musician. I enjoy immersing myself in a variety of the creative arts and also love to spend time with friends and find that I learn so much from those around me. I’ve perfected the art of listening. I’m that person you tell everything to, that confidante who makes it easy to spill your guts, to feel comfortable knowing that what you confess will go no further, and you will be valued and appreciated for who you are. But I’m not just a kli, an empty vessel who is ready to be filled. To be sure, I enjoy listening and supporting you, but I’m also neither a pushover, nor a yes-woman. I’m here to listen to you, to care about you, but also to give you advice and tell you how it is. I’m not going to tell you that you’re doing the right thing when you’re not.
But, while I’ve listened to umpteen call-in talk shows, watched various talk shows, read numerous advice columns and spoken to and advised dozens of friends and acquaintances, this is my first advice column. I’m here to listen and learn from you.
So look around. You know that lady that you were talking to at the Shabbos park, shul or even at the supermarket? The one you inadvertently ended up telling much more than you ever thought about sharing? That’s me.
Come sit on my couch. Ask me anything, no matter how simple or controversial. I’m around for everyone from the babies to the bubbies. Email me at [email protected] and let’s talk it out.
Love, Shuli
