Book Description
We live in a world of infinite choices. Why not “choose up”? In this stunning debut, Ilana Kendal unveils the meaning in the mundane, elevating our everyday reality. With wisdom, clarity, and tenderness, Kendal reimagines the way you think about yourself, the world, and G-d. By finding the Divine sparks in everyday events, this book will awaken your innate capacity to shape your personal destiny. Anything is possible when the co-creator of our story is G-d.
About The Author
Ilana Kendal is a psychotherapist, occupational therapist, teacher, and author. As an international lecturer and gifted story teller, Ilana mines Jewish wisdom for its relevance to our personal paths and struggles. Her writing can be found on aish.com, chabad.org and kveller.com and in her weekly email, where she reveals profound messages through everyday experiences. In her psychotherapy and occupational therapy practice, she works with individuals through life transitions, mood disorders, and eating disorders. Ilana is passionate about creating environments of empowerment and fostering personal growth. She lives in Toronto with her family.
Praise
“Choosing Up is a book that can change you.”
– REBBETZIN TZIPORAH HELLER
“Ilana Kendal is a voice worth paying attention to.”
– RABBI LEIB KELEMEN
Rosh Kollel, The Center for Kehillah Development
“Know that you are about to begin a journey.”
– RABBI PAYSACH KROHN
“One of those special books that you can pick up at any time,
read for even a few minutes, and leave feeling you just had
an inspiring chat with a close friend.”
– LORI PALATNIK
Founding director, Momentum
“Take Ilana Kendal’s hand while she unveils the mystical in
the mundane.”
– KIM SMILEY
Founder of “The Empathy Effect”
cecile Elstein –
5 star rating. Much enjoyed.
My husband and I have read Choosing Up reading one section to each other each evening after dinner. It is a charming
penetrating view of the ordinary experiences of life.
Ilana communicates directly enhancing awareness.
Aharon Rubenstein –
I have been following Ilana Kendal for some years, and was delighted when her collection of weekly Torah essays was published in one volume. She is very insightful and discerning in her approach, and most of all she writes about everyday, seemingly mundane experiences, from the heart and elevates the ordinary into the extraordinary. Can’t wait for her next collection.
Diana Cohen –
What an amazing book! Could not put it down! With an incredible insight into the intricacies and difficulties facing each person in their daily lives, Ilana challenges us to aim higher, grow and look inward into our own personal relationship with G-d, and others, to transform our lives and the world around us.
Shauna Walker –
This is an amazing book to read all at once or a little bit each week. The stories and examples are vivid and engaging. Ilana Kendal is a tremendous writer and this book is sure to inspire you to Choose Up!
polina nagla –
There isn’t a more poignant and worthwhile book right now than ‘Choosing UP!’ Ilana Kendal’s witty and deep insights help the reader be more introspective in order to elevate the mundane and even more so, find meaning and growth in the challenges we face. I highly recommend this book for teens+!
Karen Levy –
I have to say, Choosing Up is not just a book, it is a way of life. I was fascinated with how Ilana shares her stories with such an uplifting perspective of the “mundane” and transforms them into learning opportunities to grow.
This way of life has helped me continue with my own character refinement and spiritual growth.
Sharon Neiss Arbess –
Choosing Up is such a wonderful book. Ilana looks at the everyday scenarios that we take for granted and creates a meaningful interpretation that makes you say – out loud – “ooooh!”