COMMENTS
Thank you for a year of creativity, of firgun, of pushing us to uncomfortable places. In safety. So much wisdon and love.
Sarita Perel, Beit Zayit
It's been wonderful. I've learned so much and have just grown with every class. It's been my present for myself all year and I thank you for it.
Elizabeth Kay, Modi'in
I met Judy Labensohn six years ago when I brought her a meagre twenty pages and asked her to teach me how to write. In August my memoir, The Rabbi's Daughter, will be published in the UK and the USA. We worked together for a year on the basics, from how to put narrative into scenes to the writing of credible dialogue. Years later, we worked on an edit for my agent before he sent it to the publishers. Judy was a guiding light, a careful reader, an insightful editor and an inspiring and encouraging teacher. I owe so much of my success to her.
Reva Mann, Jerusalem
Thank you for... such an enriching, exciting and stimulating couple of days... (and) for your wise and creative suggestions. Can't wait for the next retreat.
Carole Gotlieb, Ramat Ishai
You have moved us into and out of ourselves in a very profound way.
Brenda Yagod, Jerusalem
This was the first formal writing workshop I have attended—even though I have been publishing articles on business subjects for nearly 40 years. First, it was a revelation that the personal essays that I have been writing are really "personal essays". Not only did I find that there are another 17 like-minded souls, but also that we could benefit from one another. While I was awed by the writing that I heard, it also inspired me to want to work harder. So the enjoyment of the retreat was (and I think this is true for writing in general) like chopping wood. It is hard work but enjoying the heat of the fire on our face justifies it all.
Steve Kohn, Ra'anana
I wanted to come to this (retreat) very much, but was afraid, intimidated. I found a place where I felt reconnected to a deep, personal space. I felt validated in being able to see myself as a writer... And I found a warm, accepting experience of meeting others who have embarked on a similar journey as Americans in Israel.
Donna Ron, Kibbutz Ein Harod Ichud
...I acquired the tools to take pages of notes and turn them into something powerful and interesting.
Avraham Berger, Jerusalem
I decided to use my experience as a long-time congress organizer to write to you (and Evan). In other words, I'm taking a step back for better perspective. . . . You were so calm and self-assured that you passed that feeling on to your participants. . . . There was no burden of stress which might have held us back—instead, we were able to focus on the task and do the job we'd come to do.
Meera Zabow, Natanya
I thoroughly enjoyed attending your workshop... a supportive framework in which the craft of writing was taken to a new level through the commitment developed to writing and the valuable comments and insights that I received. Thanks!
Mike Doktofsky, Jerusalem
I just wanted to let you know that my headache lifted almost immediately after our session. I KNOW it was because you managed to quell my intense anxiety about my writing, as well as of course give me some excellent feedback. I am truly grateful and see how I need gifted guides like you to help me through this morass.
Dagmar Ya'ari, Jerusalem
You are ...instructive and comforting, honest and gentle, insightful and positive...I am so lucky to have you by my side (on the net).
Laurie Bisberg, Haifa
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed meeting you and attending the workshop at your lovely home last Thursday. I went home and immediately started to use what we learned together.
Tamara Mendelson Hefetz, Rehovot
My favorite writer! I xeroxed her articles and sent them to friends all over the world - everyone loved her... She speaks from the heart with such profundity & genuine emotional honesty.
Dr. Miriam Adahan, Jerusalem
(The retreat) was great. ...the thanks you (and Evan) got at the end and the general good feelings of all of the participants... give... sufficient indication.
Michael Loftus, Mevasseret Zion
It was clear during the three writing assignments that all of us, given the chance, love to write. It reminded me of a group of very young kids standing at the edge of the pool and then being told to jump in and splash as much as they could. And how hard it is to get the kids out of the pool.
Steve Kohn, Ra'anana
As usual, everything (at the retreat) flowed beautifully. I returned home feeling again how important writing is to me and the need to set aside time to do so.
Judy Gray, Jerusalem
. . . driving home, leaving behind the extraordinary and returning to the mundane, but feeling so uplifted and energised, so encouraged to carry on doing what we love and feel compelled to do, and which entitles us to call ourselves, with pride, writers.
Vera Freudmann, Ra'anana
I had a wonderful time at the retreat. The writing exercises were helpful and interesting. I also loved how you used literature to emphasize the importance of setting. I am currently reading Still Here by Linda Grant. Now I find myself reading it differently, paying attention to her settings and appreciating their importance. Last night I did a rapid write. In the past I would never have considered investing only 10 minutes writing and not an hour or two or more. What a gift to know that I can grow as a writer everyday.
Varda Levey, Tel Aviv
You (and Evan) have given so many people so many things, including inspiration, confidence, ideas, knowledge, ... friendship and support.
Judy Hammond, Caesarea
Thank you for a fascinating two days. I felt you put much thought and planning into the information and exercises you gave us and presented everything beautifully. I learned a great deal about the different elements and styles of writing and about my own strengths and weaknesses. So please let me know when you have dates for the next retreat!
Talia Shwartzberg, Kfar Saba
... this was one of those days that will not be forgotten. ... While I am in touch with my love of writing, this is the first time I have felt comfortable sitting with a group of strangers and exposing that love. I tell my business writing students at IDC that the only way to perfect this skill is by constantly honing it in learning what can make it better and better. The retreat was a giant step in giving me the confidence to move in that direction.
Steve Kohn, Ra'anana
I just wanted to let you know that the workshop was one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done.
Aliza Adar Levine, Nahliel
