Hi, I'm Ilana.

A Toronto-based therapist, educator, author, wife, and mom.

If you took a snapshot of my night table, you’d find a skyscraper stack of books and magazines likely to include the latest pop neuroscience hit, a classical commentary on the weekly Torah portion, a deliciously illustrated cookbook, and, as of more recently, Goodnight Moon.

So yes, I’m a voracious reader. But whatever I’m doing—reading, walking on the trail, singing the Wheels on the Bus to my baby, shopping with my teenager, scouring psychology research papers, or making my way through the seemingly self-generating heap of laundry—I’m ALSO mining Jewish wisdom for its relevance to life.

I believe PASSIONATELY that

 - every challenge is a well-disguised opportunity for growth
 - change and transformation are possible
 - the Torah is here to guide us through life’s many plot twists

I don’t shy away from the raw experiences that make us all human. In fact, that’s where I believe the magic happens.

As an international lecturer and educator, I connect Jewish wisdom, current research and our personal experiences. I work with organizations like Momentum (formerly JWRP), Aish HaTorah, Empathy Events and the Jewish Family Institute, telling my stories, building connections, and hopefully leaving people with a little more courage, insight, and inspiration.

As an occupational therapist and psychotherapist, I work to empower my clients and foster their growth. In my practice I see adults and adolescents with mood disorders, eating disorders and who are working through life transitions. I practice under the name Ilana Rubenstein (have I mentioned life transitions?).

You can find my writing on aish.com, chabad.org, Nashim magazine and kveller.com (some under Ilana Rubenstein), on my weekly email list and—oh yes—in my newly-released debut book, Choosing Up.

Aren’t “About pages” poor substitutes for human connection? Let’s connect for real! Drop me a line.