Martin Pistorius is a South African man who spent 12 years as a “human ghost”—his term for the coma-like state that held him captive inside his own body, alive but seemingly invisible to everyone else.

I just heard about this incredible individual last night, while watching Anderson Cooper. To call him “incredible,” might even be an understatement. He is truly an inspiration to the world!

At 12 years old, he started suffering from what appeared to be a routine sore throat. It was the beginning of a devastating and mysterious illness that would rob him of his ability to speak, leaving him fully awake, but trapped inside a body that wouldn’t move.

Within 2 years, the illness left him so disabled that he had to be moved to a nursing facility. Doctors told his family he was completely vegetative, couldn’t hear or comprehend anything, and would surely die.

I’m please to say those doctors and all the other naysayers were WRONG! In a real-life miracle, Martin emerged from the coma to write a book, Ghost Boy, about his horrific ordeal, documenting the abuse, loneliness, frustration, and confusion that accompanied his disease and how he kept his sanity under conditions that could easily destroy anyone’s hope.

To think of that poor man, screaming out in his mind for help, for care, for love, while others ignored, mocked, and abused him! Uh, it just takes my breath away…

One of the saddest parts was hearing him recount how he’d be left in front of a TV that played nothing but Barney cartoons all day long and having no way to change the channel, leave the room, or even cry out.

Though most gave up on him—including his own mother—there was a nurse named Verna who was different. Able to detect signs of life within him, she urged his family to seek out the specialists who could help him recover.

Today, Martin is still mute and partially disabled, but a special computer allows him to talk. Once he was able to start communicating, he had renewed hope, which gave him something to focus on and helped him heal. His body grew stronger and he began to regain some movement.

Far from the “vegetable” doctors claimed, he’s now 39 years old, married, and working as a web designer. Almost unbelievably, he’s not bitter; instead he’s focused on sharing his story and helping others who are in comas. I doubt many people could follow his example.

To me, Martin’s story is living proof that medicine doesn’t have all the answers. Sometimes miracles really do happen! It also is a shining example to treat others with kindness and respect—no matter what their mental capacity or physical condition. Every single person has something to contribute and every single person’s life matters.

The Torah teaches us “not to curse the deaf, nor put stumbling blocks before the blind,” but how many of us abide by its teachings? How many of us gossip? How many of us look right through people in wheelchairs or on crutches? How many able-bodied drivers sneak into handicapped parking spaces?

The bravery of Martin Pistorius should make us mindful of those less fortunate and inspire us to be compassionate and help when and where we can. We can create a better world, here and now, if only by loving…

Imagine a world where women are totally controlled, isolated, raped and beaten, denied education, dressed in oppressive clothing, have no say in their own childbearing, and are forced to practice polygamy as child brides.

Most of us would picture a scary Totalitarian state like Sudan, but this scenario is playing out on a daily basis here in America in a dangerous cult called the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints—an offshoot of the Mormon Church. In isolated pockets out west, mainly in Arizona and Utah, this monstrosity exists.

A closed society is more prone to abuse, but the FLDS is off the charts. Since the late 1800’s, this cult has been allowed to flourish while the authorities turned a blind eye. (In 1953, there was a well-publicized raid that turned into a disaster. Afterwards, the FLDS and polygamy in general were considered hands-off by the courts.)

Members of the FLDS distrust outsiders and have very limited contact with the secular world. Their every move is dictated by the whims of the leadership who arrange marriages, “unseal” families and reassign them, own all of the property—including members homes & businesses—and run the schools.

Their leader is a false prophet called Warren Jeffs and he is truly the personification of evil, judging by the excellent book written by Stephen Singular. When Men Become Gods is a perfect title, because these delusional “leaders” consider themselves divine representatives here on Earth and rule with an iron fist.

Jeffs inherited his position of power when his father died. Groomed from birth to rule, he was a fanatic who worshipped Napoleon and Hitler. Through fear and intimidation, he controlled the community, abusing their trust at every turn. His every whim was catered to by 180 “wives” and he became exceptionally wealthy, living off the largess of his devoted disciples and the charity of the U.S. Government. (Because polygamy is illegal, the majority of FLDS women are considered single mothers and are entitled to Welfare.)

As expected under conditions this intolerable, brave souls tried—sometimes successfully—to break free. The tales shared by these women are unreal: married at 14 to men decades their seniors, rampant incest, grinding poverty, and, worst of all, forced removal of children. Two of the most moving accounts are documented by Carolyn Jessop and Elissa Wall. I challenge anyone to read their books and still consider the FLDS a religion. (In my opinion, it’s nothing more than a criminal racket like the Mafia, masquerading as a religion.)

Because of Carolyn, Elissa, and other courageous folks who were willing to testify, Warren Jeffs was finally charged, tried, and convicted. His sins were many and the suffering he caused will be felt for generations.

Unchecked power is always a recipe for disaster. Had the authorities intervened sooner, countless women and children could’ve been protected. Religion should never be used as a shield to hide illegal acts, nor as a torture tool for rogue leaders to bend innocents to their will. There are no modern day prophets, just disturbed individuals that need to be exposed. When Men Become Gods shines a light on this insanity, and should serve as a warning to all. The FLDS is not a religion, it’s a perversion and it must be stopped!

Not Without My Daughter chronicles the life story of Betty Mahmoody, a Michigan housewife married to an Iranian doctor. Though they met in America, Betty’s husband, Moody, never fully adapted. Feeling discriminated against, particularly after the Iranian Revolution, he began to devise a sick, secret plan.

Under the guise of a two week family vacation, he coerced Betty and their daughter, Mahtob, to accompany him to Iran. Though Betty knew in her heart this was dangerous, she allowed him to talk her into it, against her better judgment (always the wrong decision!).

In Iran, Betty was confronted with her worst nightmare: a backward, fundamentalist Muslim nation, enveloped by near perpetual war and squalor. She is punished for not wearing religious clothing and can not go anywhere without her husband’s approval. Much of the “vacation” is spent in tears and panic.

When the day finally arrives to leave, Betty’s misery becomes a true hell on Earth. Moody steals their passports and locks her and her daughter in a room—the start of their kidnapping. His cruelty is exceptionally difficult to read, let alone imagine enduring!

Betty is desperate to leave Moody, his spiteful relatives, and, most of all, the oppression that is Iran. After much time, many vicious arguments, and harrowing abuse, Moody agrees to let her go, but only if she relinquishes their daughter to him and his family forever.

“Never,” she tells him, “Not without my daughter…” Betty cannot abandon her, not even to save herself. They will leave Iran, together, by any means possible. Desperate, she tries to seek help from the U.S. State Department, who are shamefully unwilling—unable?—to assist. Completely on her own, Betty reaches down deep, the way only a truly dedicated mother can, and risks everything to escape.

The rest of the book reads like a spy novel: bribes, night flight, running away without any guarantee of safety, endless walking, driving, and even riding donkeys over the mountains into Turkey, a 500 mile journey to freedom.

Upon her return to America, Betty’s story became an immediate sensation, first as a book and again as a movie of the same title. The movie version is exceptionally well done, starring Sally Field and Alfred Molina. Watching the fight scenes where he punches her and screams, “You’re in my country now!” would give any woman nightmares!

Even with all the publicity and documentation, there are still critics who doubt this story is true. Numerous fools denounced Betty’s book, calling it everything from fantasy to a smear campaign against her ex-husband.

I personally believe Betty because her story is not unique. I don’t understand why anyone would doubt her sincerity. Many women and children have been brutalized by Iranian men, held against their will, and terrorized beyond comprehension. Some of these cases were documented in Betty’s follow-up book, For the Love of a Child.

On a side note, it’s not just Westerners that face the wrath of Iranian evil: The entire Persian-Jewish community was persecuted and abused to the point of no return; a culture that had flourished for thousands of years is no more. Almost every single member has been forced to relocate, mainly in Israel or Los Angeles.

Not Without My Daughter is more than just entertainment; I believe this cautionary tale should be required reading for all ladies. As Western women, we sometimes take our freedom for granted. It must never be forgotten how immensely blessed we are to live in safe, clean, egalitarian nations like America, Great Britain, and Israel.

I pray with all my heart that no one else will ever have to endure the horror that Betty and Mahtob lived through. By educating women about the dangers, it can be prevented…

One of the best primers I’ve ever read on Judaism is How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household by Blu Greenberg. She is the wife of an Orthodox Rabbi—the immensely-likeable Yitz Greenberg—and a mother of five. Don’t be deterred by the title; the information is shared in a way that’s both easy to understand and non-judgmental. You don’t have to be observant to benefit from this book. I wasn’t raised Orthodox, nor do I live that way as an adult, and I still enjoyed it tremendously!

I first read it as a teenager, after finding a copy in a used book store. I grew up in a typical Reform home that was barely observant and many of the things she described were totally foreign to me. While I’ve never wanted to become Orthodox, I did—and do—want to know more about Judaism and try to follow it the best I’m able.

I find Blu to be very honest. Her style is both warm and charming. She’s a self-described “Orthodox Feminist,” that’s Pro-Choice and encourages women in business. I love that she’s a great teacher without being preachy. Far from pretending that Orthodox life is perfect, she candidly discusses the highs and lows. (When she mentioned that cleaning for Passover made her cry, I felt like screaming, “Wow, me too!).

How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household covers all of these topics and more:

*  Shabbat   (Jewish Sabbath)

*  Kashrut    (Dietary laws)

*  Ritual Purity  (Mikvah)

*  Prayer

*  Holidays

*  Life Cyles Events   (Bris, Bar/Batmitzvah, weddings, & funerals)

*  Education   (Advice for parents)

*  Dress   (Traditional clothing choices)

*  Jewish symbols & meanings  (Stars, Hamsa, Menorah, & Mezzuzah)

The sample menus included are excellent, as are the recipes shared by her mother, Sylvia. (Try the carrot cake and tzimmes, absolutely delicious!)

My favorite section offers comparison of two typical Shabbats in the Greenberg family—one when Blu worked outside the home and another when she was home full-time. (It’s hard to believe it’s the same folks, that’s how different it seems!) Between scrambling to cook or order food, clean, get the kids ready, wait for her husband to arrive from the airport and finish up her own work, the reader can only be amazed at her efforts.

It’s so nice to read about other Jewish ladies struggling to make work, family, and religion co-exist. None of us are perfect and I’d much rather commiserate than pretend otherwise. By admitting that she clearly struggles with some aspects of her faith but is absolutely committed to its complete preservation makes her—and the book—much more relatable, even for those of us who are Unaffiliated.

If you’re a Jewish lady looking for straight-forward info and advice, How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household should be first on your list!