Thoughts about Holocaust Memorial Day

I have over the years paid tribute to the 6 million Jews who perished during World War Two like many other Israelis: I stood for a 2 minute siren while watching people getting out of their cars at traffic lights, I taught special lessons, and listened to Holocaust survivors come to schools and talk about their experiences. On the kibbutz, I went to the communal dining room the evening previously, to hear another special service. There are programs on television all day long non-stop for twenty four hours. It’s a very hard day for everybody because it’s a sad reminder … Continue reading

Thoughts of a Jewish Mama

As the countdown to Passover begins, I am sweeping up the last of the crumbs and putting the spanking clean Passover dishes out. It’s a great time of year. The flowers are in bloom and the snow of course has melted. But there’s one more thing I’ve forgetten. Ah, yes… the book of Passover recipes I brought with me from Israel. Actually, they were given to me when I was a little girl from my grandmother who died in 1995 in hopes that I would follow in her footsteps in bringing to life a Jewish kitchen that undoubtably was centered … Continue reading

Mother’s Day

I just came across a special video for mother’s day from the Chabad’s website. It’s right on its front page. In fact, this video came just on time. All the major holidays are over, the summer vacation is just around the corner and I have more time to connect to inspiring messages such as these. I’ve learned from this video the importance of words and not just for Mother’s day. A simple “I love you” can go so far. In the context of the chabad video, you don’t necessarily have to be religious or observant to connect to chabad as … Continue reading

Thoughts about Jewish Family

Yesterday, my husband Haim, Ivry , my three year old son and myself went to the head Yeshiva rabbi’s house for the Saturday lunch. Before the blessing of the matzah and the wine, the rabbi spoke about family on two meaningful levels: our extended family or Jewish history whose history has been underscored by their own sad plight, and second, where we come from – our roots. I have been trying on occasion to piece the two concepts of family together, but my own personal circumstances first get in the way. My Polish grandmother escaped Hitler’s atrocities and when she … Continue reading