Rav Steinman’s Surprising Final Request from Women
The day before Chanukah, a great light was extinguished from the world. Gadol Hador Rabbi Steinman zt”l was accompanied by 200,000 Jews to his final resting place–and at the funeral, his final will was read. In his will, he made some unusual requests: following his death there should be no articles written about him or […]
Read MoreHygge Hanukkah (7-Minute Mommy Peptalk)
The connection between Hanukkah and Hygge, the key to the Danes’ legendary happiness.
Read MoreThe Chassidic Woman and the Blue Mohawk
A few years ago, Torah teacher and therapist Chani Juravel was shopping for shoes at Marshalls. On one side of the shoe department she noticed a beautiful, regal Chassidic woman. And on the other side she noticed a teenage girl with piercings and a blue mohawk in a torn leather vest. Mrs. Juravel found herself […]
Read MoreMy Hardest Birth
“Eema, I’m scared!” 7-year-old Tsofia whispered to me this morning as she sat in the dentist’s chair, 2 tears snaking down her cheeks–for 2 cavities waiting for fillings. Dr. Rina instructed me to stand by Tsofia’s head and hold the laughing-gas mask over her nose, and I saw Tsofia’s eyes become dreamy. And my mind […]
Read MoreWhen the Distinguished Rabbanit Saw the Spit Up
Over the last few months, I’ve been feeling burnt out–with my kids, with the house. So I’ve been seeking out inspirational gung-ho mothers who can give me a JewishMOM boost. Yesterday, at a neighborhood class, I had the honor of meeting one such inspirational woman, Rabbanit Mazal Amar, the wife of Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi. […]
Read MoreTips for a Great Chanukah (11-Minute Mommy Peptalk)
How mothers can get inspired and stay sane this Chanukah.
Read MoreHow I Lost 8 Pounds this Month–Without Feeling Hungry
One of my 2 main goals for this year is to lose weight– to have more energy, to be healthier, to be able to buy a pretty tailored dresses for the holidays, instead of an XL top and a skirt with an elasticized waist:) So a month ago yesterday, I joined a 10-week weight-loss group […]
Read MoreChanukah z”l
Chanukah died yesterday. Not the holiday, of course, but the person. Mr. Chanukah from down the block, beloved father, brother, and grandfather, was laid to rest this morning. May his memory be a blessing. But coming across his death notice this morning, exactly a week before we light the first Chanukah candle, got me thinking… […]
Read MoreSarit’s IVF Miracle
Sarit’s 5-year-old son and mine are friends in kindergarten, so over the last few months we’ve become friends as well. Sarit’s a lovely person, an Israeli mother of 3. It didn’t occur to me that there is anything unusual about her and her family. Until today, when Sarit shared with me the amazing story of […]
Read MoreSneaky Mikveh Excuses
At my neighborhood mikveh, there is a small decorated notebook in the waiting room called “The Book of Excuses.” Curious, I peeked inside, and discovered that it is a collection of excuses mikveh-going mothers have used to explain to their children why they must leave the house on mikve night. One mother shared: “I tell […]
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