There is a marked trend towards Buddhism among Jews in the United States. But they do not turn their backs on Judaism, but combine both. There is even a separate term for it - JewBu - and many prominent examples: from Goldie Hawn to Leonard Cohen.

Published in Deutcshlandfunk on 5/8/20

“You may want to consume everything to avoid thinking about the uncertainty, difficulty, anxiety, and plenty of other difficult emotions swirling in the air right now,” says Yael Shy, a meditation teacher, senior director at the New York University Center for Spiritual Life, and a writer for Pause + Purpose.”

“According to Yael Shy, Mindfulness Coach and Author of What Now? Mindfulness for Your Twenties and Beyond, decluttering your home and organizing the spaces you use every single day allows you to feel in-control during a period of uncertainty. People are so easily influenced by their surroundings, Shy said, that it is “a really great wellness practice to remove items from your space that cause you grief and stress.”

Global pandemic? Unemployment? Elections? Global climate crisis? Many people — and with good reason — are finding it difficult to get through their days without major stress and anxiety. While some utilize coping mechanisms like exercise, music or meditation, others turn to their favorite foods and snacks to feel better, a practice more colloquially known as “stress eating.”