With the Days of Awe fast approaching, and thoughts of atonement and who shall die by fire and who by water and who by beast and whatnot bearing down on us, we could all use a little comic relief. So we turned to one of the Forward’s funniest friends to serve as this month’s Bintel Brief guest advice columnist.

You may know Catie Lazarus from her comedy, whether it’s her storytelling with the Moth, sketch comedy as part of 8 Track, stand up at clubs or hosting the popular variety show, “Fresh Meat with Catie Lazarus.” Or perhaps you’ve seen her writing in Time Out New York, Gawker, the New York Post or in the pages of the Forward, even. She is also a real Samaritan, volunteering her time for Seeds of Peace, Children of Abraham, Just Vision and other worthwhile causes. For the month of September, she will be our resident Samaritan, trying to help our readers out with a little advice.

“Oprah and Dr. Phil may know the secret, but I know the answer. Whether it’s to your issue is another question,” Lazarus said. “Anyway, I am happy to give my two cents, or, at least, the Forward’s. And don’t worry. I won’t be offended if you are coming to me for a second, third or even 10th opinion. (I tabled my dignity after being turned down for the non-speaking role of a wife whose husband is recovering from Crohn’s disease in a commercial for the Sci-Fi Channel.)”

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Are you facing a Jewish dilemma, an ethical conundrum or a personal problem? Could you use a little advice? Send your questions for the Bintel Brief to [email protected]. Letters selected for publication will be published anonymously.

Check the Forward’s Web site Mondays in September for new installments of the Bintel Brief, featuring comedian Catie Lazarus.

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