kvell

A Word You Should Know

By: Barbara Edelston Peterson

Narrated by: Justine Reiss

Kvell puts a magnifying glass on one of the most positive ways to bolster people. Kvell creates joy and growth through simple acts of appreciation, praise, and encouragement.

Kvell celebrates an important Yiddish word that was never assimilated into the English language. But it’s a word we should all know.

Traditionally, kvell reinforces and celebrates young people inside a Jewish family, through pride and praise. Barbara Edelston Peterson grew up in a family where kvelling was the norm, which led to self-confident and successful children.

As an adult, Barbara continues to kvell over her own family and extends kvelling to those around her in work, life, and sport. Recognizing that this practice generates strong productive outcomes beyond the Jewish tradition, Barbara was inspired to share the power of kvell with everyone.

Kvell illuminates the universal benefits of this practice through science and examples of personal triumphs from all walks of life. Unlike other widely used Yiddish words—such as kvetch, schmuck, chutzpah, and klutz that often carry negative connotations—kvell is uplifting and positive.

Barbara shows that of all the Yiddish words that have become part of everyday language, kvell should no longer be left out.

©2025 Barbara Edelston Peterson (P)2025 Barbara Edelston Peterson

The KVELL joy😊

KVELL took me back to my roots and helped me see how every little part of my journey was “Kvelled”by my mother who believed in me. I never thought of it that way until I read your book, Barbara. Now I find myself going around kvelling people—and it’s growing on me. There is real power in this word, and I’m excited to have added it to my life and vocabulary. If we were all kvelling one another, what a beautiful world this would be. Everyone needs this beautiful book.
— Flossie Njama

Refreshing and Engaging

This book is a delight, and i’m so happy to know about Kvell. It’s just what we need to bring along and share every day!

The encouraging voice of the story.

Let us be cheerleaders for one another. Barbara's message of KVELL is so needed right now. I want to Kvell the author it touched my heart. I want to Kvell the narrator Justine simply rocks.

Love the concepts in this book

This is literally a book you can listen to in refer to over and over and over again. The concept of KVELL, when kept in your heart and mind will change your brain chemistry, as Barbara points out in the book, having the audible is something you can listen to anytime to pick you up and remind you to glow over others, encourage strangers, family members, and as she states eloquently to KVELL over yourself.
We’re so accustomed to negative inside thoughts, in ways were unaware of, so being able to flip this to a positive state of mind is game changing in every way.

As you listen and start to KVELL more in your life notice how things start shifting. This is not only a book, this is a move movement. Everyone should join in. Get this audible.

A must read for those who want to increase their vibe-their joy- and their positive impact on those around them

KVELL was a known entity and word in my house growing up but in away i was embarrassed by it—if i shined too brightly did this diminish the light of others— now as an adult I love to
KVELL and share my light & my enthusiasm and compliment others from my heart— it lightens my day and those around me— I love how Justine read the book and Barbara explaining the word and how this simple action can increase peace joy and happiness in micromoments daily💃 should be required reading in middle and high school