Penina’s Topics

Jewish Inspirational


Coming Full Circle: A Jewish Woman’s Journey through Christianity and back

In this presentation, Penina engages her audience in a powerful experience as she shares the incredible, and sometimes unbelievable story of her own spiritual journey. You can hear a pin drop as the audience sits riveted to their seats while Penina’s dynamic style has everyone’s rapt attention. This presentation is suitable for high school and up, all denominations.


If G-d loves me, why does He have it out for me?

Okay, so we believe in God, but what does that mean? How can we have a relationship with someone we can’t see, hear and feel? How come it seems like God is just out to get me? In this lecture, Penina talks about how we can know that God loves us and isn’t out to “get us”. This lecture is appropriate for all audiences, all observance levels.



So many different Jews, in so many different forms, how could we possibly ever get along?  In this lecture, Penina discusses the essence of what it means to be a Jew, unity within diversity and the secret to world peace.  A thought provoking discussion on unity and acceptance. This lecture is appropriate for high school and up, all denominations.


Is Judaism Racism?

Modern Jews often question the legitimacy of the title, “The Chosen People.”  Does calling ourselves this mean we feel superior? What about the non-Jews and their role in the world? What are we actually chosen for? This lecture takes a unique look at the idea of chosen-ness and how it can be understood in the context of modern sensibilities, leaving Jewish people proud of their unique heritage but with tremendous respect for all mankind. (Partially based on the Kuzari) This lecture is suitable for high school and up, all denominations.


God is not a Four-letter Word

Why are American Jews afraid of God? Why don’t we talk about God? Why have the People of the Book left the Book sitting on a shelf collecting dust? This provocative and inspirational lecture will challenge Jewish people across the religious spectrum to rethink what it means to be Jewish. This is an adult presentation appealing to non-Orthodox audiences.


The Search for Significance: Why people commit public acts of violence and what to do about it

School shootings, mall shootings, it seems like public acts of violence are becoming more and more common. And while everyone is crying about the need to restrict access to weapons, they are missing the forest for the trees. What is the root cause of why people commit public acts of violence, what is it about our generation that is causing them to be more common and what can be done about it? The answer may surprise you. This lecture is suitable for all mature audiences, high school and up, all denominations.


Born Again – a Jewish Idea?

It says in Brachot 34b, “In the place where baalei teshuvah stand, even the perfectly righteous cannot stand.” But what really is a baal teshuvah and what are the lessons of the teshuvah process that we can all learn from? This is an adult presentation most suitable for Orthodox audiences, especially those raised in Orthodox homes.


Fighting Amalek in this Generation

We are told in the Torah that God will have war with Amalek in every generation. But who is Amalek in this generation? The answer may surprise you. While there are several contenders for the title, the solution is the same. In this lecture, Penina brings out new insights regarding Amalek and what the Jewish people can do to fight his tactics. Although this lecture is appropriate for any day, it is especially appropriate for Parshat Beshalach, Shelach, Chukat, Balak, and Ki Teitzei. This presentation is most suitable for Orthodox audiences.


Don’t Put Me in a Box; I’m Claustrophobic!

If sinat chinam (baseless hatred) destroyed the Holy Temple and disconnected the Jewish people from their true calling in this world, then Ahavat Yisrael is the answer to all that ails the Jewish people. But what does ahavat Yisrael really mean? It’s so easy to love others who are just like us, but how can we learn to love each other regardless of our differences? This interactive but to-the-point lecture explores the true meaning of ahavat Yisrael and practical ways to realize it in our own lives. This lecture is geared towards Orthodox adult audiences.


From How to Wow: Making Judaism more Meaningful into the Next Generation

The Jewish people take the Torah seriously! We are very good at following its precepts; at transmitting the “how” of being Jewish. But have we missed the forest for the trees? What is the key to keeping the next generation connected to Judaism? From How to Wow challenges observant Jews to dig deeper and create a meaningful Jewish experience that will not only enrich their own lives but impact generations to come. This lecture is geared toward Orthodox adult audiences.


Chatzot – The Shabbat Secret

Do you love Shabbat but dread Friday? Do you sit down to dinner and promptly fall asleep? Do you find yourself rushing headlong into shabbos wondering where is the peace and holiness of the day? There is a solution! The new movement with ancient roots, chatzot is transforming Jewish homes around the world, find out how it can change yours, too. This lecture is geared toward female Orthodox adult audiences.


B’tzelem Elokim: The Power of Adam’s Gift

We are all too familiar with the negative concept of what Adam created in the world through his disobedience in the Garden of Eden, but how often do we dwell upon the gift which he bequeathed to mankind? The legacy of Adam is referred to by many as a curse, but Adam’s true legacy, lies in the truth about the nature of mankind and what it means to be a human being. This lecture explores the incredible power mankind was endowed with in being created in “the image of God”. This lecture is suitable for high school and up, all denominations, including non-Jews.


A Nugget from the ‘Nach or Just a Thought

In addition to Penina’s topical talks, Penina is always able to take something from the Torah portion or Haftorah bring it into the
Modern day and give it real-life application.



Jewish/Christian issues


Know What to Answer

This presentation is an abbreviated version of Penina’s renowned 12-week counter-missionary seminar series titled, “Scripture Twisting 101”. The one-hour lecture addresses the Jewish concept of the messiah, and why Judaism has rejected Christian claims for Jesus for the past 2000 years. The three-hour and six-hour crash courses delve into missionary tactics and specific proof-texts. This presentation is suitable for high school and up, all denominations.


The Dilemma of the Double-Edged Sword

They are Israel’s best friends, but are our Evangelical allies loving us to death? In this frank and enlightening lecture, Penina discusses the “facts on the ground” that have resulted from this relationship and takes a hard look at the not-so-easy answers to Israel’s relationship with Evangelical Christianity. This presentation is suitable for high school and up, all denominations.
From the Destruction of the Temple to the Destruction of the Soul
Appropriate for the three weeks/nine days/Tisha b’Av, this lecture draws a correlation between the ancient enemies of Israel and missionary efforts today.





The Toybox Paradigm

Hey – its a dog-eat-dog world out there right? And business is business – every man (or woman) for themselves, right? Wrong! This lecture, most appropriate for business people and entrepeneurs, but suitable for all audiences, addresses the issues of how we look at the world and that when we can learn to see others as collaborators instead of competitors, we multiply our own resources, increase our own success; changing the world in the process.


Living Intentionally

Why do you keep doing what you are doing even though you know its self-defeating?  What are the keys to getting unstuck and getting everything you want out of life?  Many people would be surprised to learn that the secret can be found in the Torah!   In this lecture Penina crosses personal growth with Jewish inspiration to inspire your audience in a relevant and meaningful way. This presentation is suitable for any Jewishly educated adult audience.


Married Intentionally

Believe it or not, it is possible to build a bullet-proof marriage, or to bring a marriage back from the brink of death.  In this four-hour workshop, which is also available in one-hour and two-hour crash courses, Penina teaches the 5 biggest threats to marriage, the 5 biggest communication challenges and how to create the marriage you’ve always dreamed of.  This presentation is suitable for all adult audiences.


Eating Intentionally

Maintaining a healthy wait is more about what you put in your head than what you put in your mouth.  In this talk, Penina shares her own weight-loss journey of over 200lbs lost, and the 5 barriers to weight loss that have nothing to do with the diet you choose.  This talk is suitable for all adult audiences.


Parenting Intentionally

Intentionally Me

Presented as a full day workshop, in this life transformational seminar, Penina presents concepts and practices necessary to live a fulfilled and joyful life. This intense workshop will transform the way you see yourself and others and prepare the way for new things you never thought possible!

Topics covered:

Me and God:
The questions G-d Asks
How to know for sure G-d loves you
5 basic human needs
The power of our words
Living Intentionally

Me and Myself:
Who are you?
Mind clutter, stuff clutter and time clutter
Being self-generated
Being present
What to do with the past
Living with Integrity

Me and Others:
Collaboration vs. Competition
The power of persuasion

This workshop is suitable for all adult audiences.

Batteries Not Included: Learning to trust yourself

Created in the image of G-d means that you have come fully equipped with everything you need to live an amazing life.  So why is it so hard for you to trust yourself when it comes to making decisions?  In this talk Penina shares the only three reasons you do anything in life and hits the nail on the head as to why you let others determine your choices.  A truly freeing talk appropriate for all adult audiences.

Influence: The Power of Persuasion and the Practice of Mindful Compliance

What is it that missionaries, cult leaders, marketing professionals and scam artists know about you, that you don’t even know about yourself? Discover the Principles of Persuasion that are used as weapons of influence by those who want you to comply and learn how to think critically in the face of such warfare. This presentation is suitable for bar/bat mitzvah and up, all denominations.


The Warning Track

In today’s world we have more information coming at us in a day than our grandparents experienced in a year and often, we make more choices in a week than they did in their entire lifetime. With all this information and activity, it’s very easy to find ourselves “hitting the wall” and it hurts. But, there is a solution! This lecture addresses the four areas in our life where we can make simple changes that bring sanity to a crazy world.


Dreams into Reality

Dreams that remain dreams are merely fantasy but dreams that become goals become reality. If you want to turn your dreams into reality they must first become goals. But what does a goal actually look like and how can you be sure to reach it? In this mini-workshop participants will learn how to create SMART goals and the formula for attaining them every time. We will also explore the reasons why most people don’t reach their goals, defining your life (or business) purpose and principles that not only accomplish success in business, but in every area of our lives.

Speak to be Heard

Do you need to give presentations for your work?  Are you a teacher, fundraiser, advocate or CEO of a startup who needs to pitch potential investors?  In this workshop Penina Talks about the 5 things you are doing wrong when you speak and what you can do to make sure that your message is being received.