I have some issues with the word “love” in the English language. The word, when translated, is problematic in other languages too, but one problem is that in English, one can say that one “loves” something that only gratifies selfish needs. For instance, a person can say they “love” their child and at the same time say they “love” chicken l’orange. Certainly (or hopefullY) a person does not love their child and chicken l’orange in the same way (Although I have heard parents say their kids are so cute, they could “eat them up”) but this only demonstrates the problem … Continue reading →

It happened again this week. I didn’t believe it yet again, although I was writing an article about the first bulldozer attack in Jerusalem that happened last week. Thank G-d, there were no casualties or major injuries this time, but the repeat performance of the shocking event I am sure compounded the traumas many already have and only brings home the fact that we in the Land of Israel are vulnerable. Some people commented that this was kind of a message to Barack Obama, but what kind of message? Wouldn’t they instead try to plead their case, be on their … Continue reading →

As a child growing up in both secular and Orthodox households, I never felt close enough to understand Orthodox religion. The mental distance between God and and my world as a child was rigid; “no jumping on the beds,” “being quiet on Shabbat” and so on. At the time, there was a feeling that religion is my enemy and only dictates to me my flaws: am I good or bad if I don’t listen to the higher authority of good. We were invited to eat today’s Shabbat lunch at the head rabbi’s house in Pittsburgh. (American Jews call it “shabbos” … Continue reading →

On our kibbutz, we participated in social events, which for Israel, are considered important days like Yitzhak Rabin z”l, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Remembrance Day of Israel’s fallen soldiers. Those of you who have visited a kibbutz, you probably know that a kibbutz unit is a self-sufficient community responsible for its own social and economic needs. Searching for the right community here in Pittsburgh however is a completely different story. As we see it, there are two kinds of communities: there is the JCC community and the synaoguge community. Both are social in nature – one is obviously more religious … Continue reading →

Many years ago, I was at the turning point of becoming religous. It was undoutably, a phase I was going through but it was also more than that. In a spiritual journey that took more than fifteen years trying to understand laws of Kashrut and Gemmara, I think I have come to understand that Judaism is a cyclical process of giving. I guess it is also part of my nature: I need to give back in order to nurture my soul from within. Today marks fourteen years of the passing of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous memory. In 1993, … Continue reading →

The title of this post sounds like it could belong to a parenting section, but I’m putting it here, because Jewish sages do have an opinion on the subject. Most of us who read parenting books today, or just hear mom’s speaking in the park know that “positive reinforcement” preferable to negative reinforcement. Gone are the days when it is typical to threaten a child into doing something. Now, we are to encourage and to reward good behavior rather than focusing on punishing bad behavior. This is in line with the Torah and the teachings of Jewish sages. It is … Continue reading →

I heard a very moving story about a survivor of the Holocaust. In a small Polish town, about a dozen survivors from the concentration camps gathered in honor of the holiday Simchat Torah (rejoicing in the Torah). This holiday takes place in the fall, after a month of holidays, and is considered to be the culmination of them all. It is a day in which we dance with Torah scrolls in honor of the holy possession G-d gave us and with joy. These survivors were broken in mind and in spirit. They gathered together to pray, even though they lacked … Continue reading →

Ruth was one of those characters in Jewish religion that I grew up not knowing enough about. It is only now, many years later, that I have come to appreciate her lessons and what she can offer us as Jewish modern women. She brought the messianic dynasty to completion by continuing the royal lineage. Of course nor I or any of my friends and family come close to the level of spiritual purity Ruth exemplified in those days, but we are also living in different times where we often judge others by their appearance and how much we are worth … Continue reading →

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 →

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 →