If I take Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, or any other GLP-1 weight loss drug, will I need to take it forever?

What are the side effects of Ozempic? Do we know the long term effects of these weight loss drugs?

Can Ozempic be prescribed for women in perimenopause or menopause?

What can women do to create sustainable weight loss? How can we lose the weight and keep it off?

Diana Isaacs, an endocrinology clinical pharmacy specialist answers the questions above and many others, as they pertain to the safety, sustainability and effectiveness of GLP-1 drugs. Diana serves as the Co-Director of Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy and the Director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology at the Cleveland Clinic Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute.

From this educational conversation, I learned that certain GLP-1 medications can be used to lower blood pressure, help with cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and sleep apnea!

To be connected with Diana Isaacs, please email Vera Kessler, host of America's Top Rebbetzins at atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Why do Jews eat kosher food? Why do Jews keep shabbat? Why do Jewish women dress modestly? Yes, the Torah says to keep the above mitzvot (commandments), but WHY?

The answers to those questions on Jewish Law (Halakha), and many more can be found in the Talmud.

What is the Talmud? What is Halakha? And why is it relevant for women (and girls) to learn these holy teachings? Most importantly, how does learning Talmud help us on a practical, daily basis?

Rabbanit Chamutal Shoval, Director of the Susi Bradfield Women's Institute of Halakhic Leadership, sheds light of the importance of Talmud and Halakha study for women.

The Talmud is:
--a record of rabbinic debates about the Torah that took place between the 2nd and 5th centuries
--includes a codification of laws called the Mishnah, and a commentary on the Mishnah called the Gemara
--contains rules for social and family life, such as marriage, taxes, and criminal law
--helps to explain how the Torah applies to modern situations
--an essential source of halakha, or Jewish religious law

Simply put, the Talmud contains rabbinic commentaries, and explanation of traditions and laws that were given to us through the Torah’s infinite wisdom.

Halakha, also known as Jewish law, is a set of rules and practices that guide Jewish life. It covers religious observances, daily life, and personal/professional conduct.

In this eye opening conversation, Rabbanit Chamutal explains to us how women can elevate themselves and grow spiritually and personally though learning the Talmud. We see, through the rabbi's discussions, how they struggled with the same types of issues and challenges with which we struggle. And the struggle is real!

Learning the Talmud helps us understand how to respectfully listen to other people's points of view and opinions that might be different through ours. It teaches us how to interact with and communicate with people who are different from ourselves. The Talmud also gives us insights and perspectives into why Jews do what we do--shabbat, kashrut, laws of how to conduct business, interactions between men and women, and explains, in depth, a multitude of other Jewish commandments. It really helps us understand WHY we do what we do on a daily basis. As women (and girls) learn the Talmud, it begins to affect our self-conduct on a daily basis, as we connect with and understand more deeply, the teachings of the Torah.

Torah is not a subject like biology, math, history, or language arts. The point in learning Torah, including Talmud and Halakha, is for the teachings to enter your heart, change you as a person, on a spiritual level, and help you to become more elevated.

Rabbanit Chamutal is available to answer women's questions on Torah and Jewish law. To be connected to her, please email Vera Kessler, host of the America's Top Rebbetzins podcast at atrebbetzins@gmail.com

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! We wish it was that simple!

Singles of all ages have are having a challenging time meeting their soulmate. They are all looking for 'the one,' but are having a tough time finding him or her.

Rebbetzin Sarah Rabin from the Caulfield Shule in Melbourne, Australia, speaks about why people are having challenges in shiduchim (the Jewish system of matchmaking.) According to Rebbetzin Sarah, the top 5 challenges contributing to today's shidduch crisis are:

1. The fast pace of life--in our society, we race from one thing to the next--the next person, the next appointment, the next job, the next social event. People don't make the time to connect deeply.

2. Technology and distractions. In today's world, people have easy access to technology and dating apps. They are too busy swiping left and right, checking emails, texting, and scrolling social media to get to know someone in person.

3. People have high expectations and fear of commitment--people want their prospective wife/husband to fit all of their ideals. They have many expectations, which are not always realistic. Also, people are afraid of committing because they think that they could potential meet someone better...and better...and better...and...

4. Social circles and geography--Jews who live in smaller Jewish communities are hesitant to date 'that guy they went to school with,' or 'their best friend's brother.' It can be challenging to date when you have known the same people since nursery school. Likewise, in larger Jewish communities, it's harder to date because people are always looking around for someone potentially better. One suggestion is to branch off and visit other Jewish communities in different geographic locations.

5. Emotional readiness and past experience. Not everyone is mature and ready to enter into a committed relationship. Also, people might have had negative experiences with previous relationships, which makes them fearful of entering into another relationship.

Fortunately, Rebbetzin Sarah offered possible SOLUTIONS to the shidduch crisis, including:

1. Singles need to have clarity on their values and their priorities. When a person knows what they believe in, what they value, and what they find most important in life, it makes it easier to identify those same beliefs in another person.

2. Seek guidance. Singles need to resolve past issues of trauma or bad relationships with a therapist, and they need to seek guidance for dating from a rabbi/rebbetzin, mentor, or happily married friends. Singles need guidance in order to develop a healthy perspective on relationships and the work that they entail.

3. Hishtadlus (effort) and Emunah (belief in G-d). Singles need to understand that if they are going out on a date or to a singles event, they need to put effort into getting ready for the evening. They need to look attractive and presentable, and they need to be open to meeting people. Once they have done their part, the rest is in G-d's hands. He will orchestrate two people meeting, and He will guide singles to their soulmate.

4. Fostering connection. Jewish singles really need to give people a chance when they meet them. They need to establish a connection and put in the time and effort to get to know someone in order to see if they are a compatible match.

Singles, stay strong! Your soulmate is out there waiting for you.

Contact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com