Sometimes the most important lessons in life come from unexpected teachers, such as my dog. I’m not the only philosophical pet-owner who writes about canine inspiration, so here’s my take on what my six-pound apricot toy poodle named Luci teaches me. (more…)

Raising children isn’t what it used to be. That’s because young people today aren’t who they used to be. To give you an example, in my mother’s era, penny candy cost just that—a penny. Today’s generation, on the other hand, thinks the Dollar Store is a bargain. In fact, some kids have their own credit cards to pay for their king-size candy bars. (more…)

Moms these days are always on the run. We run errands. We run to the grocery store. We run after our children, constantly. We run around the house looking for misplaced math homework and lost car keys.

Moms are always on the go. We go to work, and we go workout. We go to appointments, and sometimes we go crazy. We go to baseball games, and we go to soccer games. We go to birthday parties, and we go to bar mitzvahs. We go shopping. Once in awhile, we go out to dinner. Sometimes we go too long and forget to go to the bathroom, but that’s another story. I could go on and on. (more…)

In commemoration of our ancestors’ 40-year journey in the wilderness, Jews are supposed to leave their homes and live in temporary shelters. If I didn’t know better, the commandment (Leviticus) that tells us to “dwell in booths for seven days” sounds like a Salvation Army homeless shelter. Of course, I’m talking about a sukkah, a Hebrew word meaning “booths” or “huts” and is the symbol of our thanks for the plentiful Fall harvest. (more…)

An annual fall outing to the apple orchard is a fun way for families to kick off the New Year. The tart, juicy apples are as crisp as the autumn air, and with each bite I taste the new season. Whenever I go apple picking I feel like a kid again. I also seem to lose my table manners. Where else can I gnaw on a piece of fruit and nonchalantly drop the rotten core at my feet? Likewise, I abandon all sense of safety when I ride the bumpy tractor-pulled wagon and fling a half-eaten apple across the gravel road. (more…)

One of my favorite parts about being Jewish, aside from the rich traditions and ancient wisdom that are passed down to us, is our “it’s-all-about-the-food” attitude. This expression is especially true on holidays, lifecycle events, and pretty much any given meal.

So on the one day of the year when Jews are asked to fast, Yom Kippur, I’m almost relieved to have a chance to cleanse my palette and my soul before I reach for another slice of honey cake again. (more…)

This steamy summer has been a time for growth, in more ways than one. While Jack and Sari continue to grow like weeds so does my vegetable garden. (more…)

Okay, so I’m a little behind in my writing. What do you expect? It’s summer. (more…)

I’m always looking for a new adventure, so I recently signed up Scott and I for ballroom dance classes. Sounds corny, but ballroom dancing has never been hotter, thanks to the latest reality show hit “Dancing With The Stars.” But the Olympic speed skater and dancing champion Apollo Anton Ohno is not my inspiration for taking a group dance class. (more…)

In the good old days, motherhood and sisterhood went hand in hand, especially in the Jewish community. Going back to the World War II era, many women joined forces to benefit a single cause. When they weren’t plucking pinfeathers from kosher chickens, many of our grandmothers and mothers gave their time and talents to a variety of philanthropies, from the Jewish Special Needs Society (JSNS) to auxiliaries of every kind.

These women paid their dues, literally, and they also developed lifelong friendships and provided a vital link to the Jewish community. (more…)