My Turnaround JWWS Workshop Experience
By Ruth Himmelman
I always loved writing.
It was always an outlet for me, whether it’s been poetry, short stories, or the journal I’ve kept since I was twelve.
I always wanted to be a writer, but I lacked the self-discipline and confidence to forge ahead with my dream. It always bothered me that my fear of rejection was far greater than my aspirations. It took a long time for me to get over this blockage and it’s still a work in progress. One day, I met my friend and told her my frustration.
“Go to the women’s JWWS writing seminar. It’s amazing.”
I had no idea there was such a thing in Jerusalem. I debated whether to go or not to go. Finally, I decide to go for it and sign up. What have I got to lose? Only to gain! And gain, I did!
I was empowered. Overwhelmed. Inspired. And I was mesmerized by how many wonderful women came together from different parts of the county, and I met them all in one room! I was hooked!
The first elective workshop I did was with this cute young lady wearing a blond curly wig and a huge friendly smile. I fell in love with her energy right away. The room was packed. Her name was Shifrah Devorah Witt. At the end of the workshop, I took her card with her phone number on it and bought her book on how to write. The next thing I knew I joined her writing group for five years until I hired her as my writing coach. We work very well together. If it wasn’t for the JWWS, I would never have met Shifrah Devorah and would not be working on my book that I am now in the middle of writing.
Thank you JWWS. I look forward to the upcoming seminar and continue to be inspired!
