Mazal tov to Michal and Corey!

Mazal tov to Michal and Corey!

This morning Josh and I attended the bris of Gavriel Shalom, the firstborn child of a couple very dear to our hearts, Corey and Michal Gold. We first met Corey when he was Josh’s student around 10 years ago at the Orayta Yeshiva. And over the past decade Josh and I have had the honor […]

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I Finally Tracked Down the Woman I’ve Wanted to Thank for 34 Years

I Finally Tracked Down the Woman I’ve Wanted to Thank for 34 Years

When I was a freshman in college in Maine, my high school friend’s stories about her Orthodox roommate in New York made a deep impression on me. In a way, this roommate, Ali Fein, was the first Orthodox Jew I ever knew. This past Thursday I finally tracked down Ali Fein (now Dr. Ali Blech […]

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The Student my Husband Didn’t Want to Meet

The Student my Husband Didn’t Want to Meet

Last Friday my husband, Joshua, returned from a 2- week trip to North America where he taught at several synagogues and visited family. Over Shabbat Josh told me the following remarkable story: “A friend of mine who is also a teacher sent me a message when I first arrived in the US asking if I […]

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An Eye-Opening Photo of Myself from 15 Years Ago

An Eye-Opening Photo of Myself from 15 Years Ago

Every morning, Google Photos picks out random family photos for me. I can see my daughter, the soldier, wearing a crown of flowers at her 6th birthday party in Gan Chana. I can see my oldest, today busy interviewing for graduate school, at the age of 8 being carried around like a queen on top […]

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A Surprising Question from our Chinese Guest

A Surprising Question from our Chinese Guest

Last night we hosted a wonderful group of 28 Chinese tourists. We are learning that Chinese people ask very different questions than our guests from Western countries. Last night, for example, one guest stood up and asked, “In this country, is your family considered rich, poor, or middle class?” As though this is a question […]

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An Act of Kindness in Beersheva

An Act of Kindness in Beersheva

Today my 18-year-old daughter Moriya travelled to Beersheva for her weekly drama class. And after the class Moriya went to donate blood. And after that Moriya realized that she hadn’t eaten since the morning. And she was super hungry and was starting to feel dizzy. So Moriya entered the nearest supermarket to buy something to […]

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