Author Panel with Rona Lalezary, Dr. Jenn Mann, and Samantha Ettus

Zibby's Bookshop is excited to host Rona Lalezary, Dr. Jenn Mann, and Samantha Ettus for a wellness event with Mental Health IsReal!

Mental Health IsReal: The Healing LA Initiative

While the headlines may have faded, the pain and destruction caused by the devastating fires remain very real. And who understands trauma better than the Jewish community? That’s why we are bringing our Mental Health IsReal platform to LA, where so many have lost their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.

The Healing LA Initiative is a powerful movement focused on mental health awareness and emotional recovery. Through in-person events, in collaboration with both Jewish and Non-Jewish communities, we are creating safe spaces for healing, connection, and resilience. Our mission is to help those affected not only rebuild their surroundings but also restore their sense of hope and strength. Together, we will heal, rebuild, and rise stronger than ever.

About the speakers:

Rona is the CEO and founder of Mental Health IsReal, a nonprofit dedicated to providing essential mental health resources to those facing trauma, globally. She is also a life transformative coach, podcast host and positive mindset trainer, dedicated to empowering her clients to take back their power, mindfully channel their energy, and realize they are the creators of their life experiences. Rona incorporates the law of attraction and the art of manifestation to guide clients in unleashing their greatest superpower – themselves.

Dr. Jenn Mann is one of the most well-recognized psychotherapists in the country. Most known as the host and therapist for VH1’s long-standing hit shows Couples Therapy with Dr. Jenn, and Family Therapy with Dr. Jenn, she has appeared as a guest expert on hundreds of other shows including: The Today Show, The Early Show, Dr. Oz, Wendy Williams, The Doctors, The Maury Show, Steve Harvey, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, The Insider, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. She is the author of multiple best selling advice books including: The Relationship Fix: Dr. Jenn’s Guide to Improving Communication, Connection & Intimacy, SuperBaby: 12 Ways to Give Your Child a Head Start In the First 3 Years and The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy Confident Kids which have collectively spent five weeks on the best-seller list. She is also the co-author of the children’s book Rockin’ Babies which she co-wrote with her mother, Grammy award-winning songwriter Cynthia Weil. Dr. Jenn is a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist (L.M.F.T) and has been in private practice for almost three decades. She lives in Beverly Hills, California with her partner Eric Schiffer and twin daughters, Quincy and Mendez. To learn more about Dr. Jenn visit her Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat @DrJennMann.

Samantha Ettus has spent her career in the self-help space, empowering women as a speaker, bestselling author, radio host, podcast host, and TV contributor. In the wake of the October 7th attacks in Israel, Sam turned her attention to combating antisemitism and mobilizing the Jewish community. Sam launched the New Voices campaign, enlisting celebrities and influencers to speak out against Jew hatred. Sam brings unfiltered news to her audience via social media and her Substack newsletter: The Jewsletter. Her weekly Good Jewish News segment and Instagram account is known in Jewish circles for its uplifting content. She is a contributor to the bestselling anthology On Being Jewish Now and is an Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary, October 8. She was recently recognized by the Anti-Defamation League as a 2025 Hero Against Hate. Sam earned both her undergraduate and MBA degrees from Harvard. She co-founded the Los Angeles Women’s Collective, supporting women running for national office. Sam is a proud mom of three teenagers.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1113 Montana Ave, 1113 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, United States