216. Protecting Your Peace During Elul with Chavie Bruk
In this episode, Dr. Baron sits down with Chavie Bruk, mother of five adopted children and is the co-director of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana and voice of Totally Unexpected to discuss the emotional and spiritual intensity of the High Holidays while honoring yourself and your experiences.
Chavie shares what it means to enter the High Holiday season when living with unanswered prayers and infertility. She discusses the physical and mental weight of managing public community expectations during the month of Elul and Rosh Hashanah while holding space for personal pain. She and Dr. Baron explore the reality of triggers, from social media back-to-school posts, pregnancy announcements, to prying questions she stresses why self-awareness and personal boundaries are essential for self-protection.
The conversation also touches on practical strategies for handling insensitive comments during social and holiday gatherings. She reflects on offering space to move away from things out of one's control and toward seeking presence and acceptance in life.
If you're navigating unanswered prayers and holiday stressors, this episode is for you.
About Chavie Bruk:
Chavie Bruk is a mother of five adopted children and is the co-director of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana together with her husband. On her podcast, Totally Unexpected! Chavie sits with guests to her about the one unexpected moment that changed their lives. She hopes listeners will see themselves in these stories, feeling a little less alone and little more connected.
Instagram Website Substack Totally Unexpected Podcast
Hear more from Chavie Bruk:
Episode 8: My Adoption Stories Episode 47: Expectations, Pain, and Adoption Episode 100 Episode 141: Pain Doesn’t End…or Does it? Episode 180: Raw, Honest and Still Struggling
Resources Mentioned: Anna Bernacki
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