ave I got a deal for you! No, your Temple president is not Bernie Madoff, but if you follow me on this, I will show you a way to truly be happy, don't worry, at a price you'll find more than acceptable.

Now, we all know that people spend a fortune trying to escape the rigors of daily life and find enjoyment in living. Some find it by just spending time with family, others look to the arts for escape, some get their enjoyment from watching or participating in sports while unfortunately, some turn to the artificial “escape” provided by drugs or some other illicit activity.

What all of these activities have in common, except for perhaps spending time with family, is that they are usually expensive (parking in itself at Yankee Stadium can set you back some 40 bucks) and the effects are of relatively short duration.

My deal however, could provide you with the escape you seek, a more optimistic outlook towards daily living and there is some evidence to suggest even enhanced longevity. And most importantly, it won't cost you a dime. It's FREE.

What I'm referring to you may have read about in a recent issue of the Jewish Week (Jewish Week, November 18, 2011, page 11), which reports on a study published by researchers at Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein School of Medicine.

According to the study's findings, there exists a correlation between regular attendance at religious services and a more optimistic life outlook.

According to the study's report, those who attend services frequently were 56 percent more likely to have an optimistic life outlook than those who don't and 27 percent less likely to be depressed (CNN Belief Blog-CNN.com Blogs-11/10/2011).

Additionally, and here's the really good part, the study “strongly suggests that regular attendance at religious services reduces the risk of death by approximately 20 percent” [emphasis added] (Einstein: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, November 19, 2011).

Those attending religious services at least once a week showed a 20 percent mortality risk reduction compared those not attending services at all. These findings are consistent with prior studies that have show up to 25 percent reduction in such risk.

Now, is this a deal or what? Come to shul on a regular basis and you'll walk around smiling for a long, long time. You'll be happy and won't worry and it won't cost you a dime.

But seriously, while much of the study's findings and conclusions are still considered anecdotal and further investigation is warranted and will be performed, this is but one in a series of similar studies that are all in agreement that there is a distinct (albeit unexplained) correlation between regular religious service attendance and one's psychological and physical well-being.

So, whether or not you take full stock in what the study''''s results are saying, why not play it safe and accept them by coming to services? What do you have to lose? See you at services this Shabbat.

Dave Feldman, President