2 Easy Ways I Get My Kids to Help in the House

2 Easy Ways I Get My Kids to Help in the House

Last Elul, among my goals for the coming year, I wrote: “My kids will learn to clean up after themselves, and housework will be under control, and even enjoyable!” But alas, JewishMOMs plan and their children laugh. And then a few weeks ago my dear cleaning lady of 4 years had to leave the country. […]

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The Skeptic Who Went to the Rabbi for a Blessing

The Skeptic Who Went to the Rabbi for a Blessing

This past Shabbat, my husband was out of town, and he was hosted by a lovely family, a couple with 2 sons ages 7 and 13. During the meal, the host mentioned that he has two other children, two daughters who are a decade older than his sons. And then he shared the following incredible […]

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“The Cherry on Top”: Shira Shnerb’s Beloved Clothing Gemach

“The Cherry on Top”: Shira Shnerb’s Beloved Clothing Gemach

I first saw this video over a week ago, and I cannot get it out of my mind. I can’t stop thinking about the mother of Rina Shnerb HY”D, and the glorious smile she gets on her face when she mentions “the cherry on top” of her family’s many charity projects–her clothing gemach (charity store) […]

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8 Things I Learned from My Silent Meditation Retreat

8 Things I Learned from My Silent Meditation Retreat

I mentioned a few weeks ago that my oldest daughter participated in a 10-day silent meditation retreat in India. And after I heard about her experience, I was curious to try it out myself. So when I heard about a silent Jewish meditation retreat taking place this past Thursday and Friday, I asked my 19-year-old […]

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Why a Woman’s Prayer is More Powerful than a Man’s

Why a Woman’s Prayer is More Powerful than a Man’s

I heard this explanation from Rabbi Fischel Schachter, and I think it’s not only beautiful–it’s true! “There’s a question about whether women are required to pray with a minyan, or not. So some people say “Here we go again! Judaism disrespects women.” But in fact, the reason women can pray on their own is just […]

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One Mom’s Nasty Whatsapp

One Mom’s Nasty Whatsapp

The parents from my son’s class have a WhatsApp group. I’m not into WhatsApp. But another mother told me about a horrible interaction that took place in the group during the first week of school. And even though I didn’t read the back-and-forth myself, I cannot get it out of my head. On one of […]

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