I’ve become impatient as I’ve aged. Or maybe more discerning. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between the two. Ironically, as the kids have grown and I’ve found myself with more time for reading, I’ve become less patient with the books I read and less willing to just stick it out. Because really, if I can’t… Read More The Power in Putting Down Books
For each of the boys’ bar mitzvahs, we’ve had them take a percentage of their gift money and use it for some meaningful giving project. Amichai spent a lot of time thinking about something that he wanted to donate his money to, and he just couldn’t find a project that would feel hands-on and meaningful… Read More A Bar Mitzvah Boy Connects
Do you have an author whose books make you feel like you’re reconnecting with an old friend? I hope you do. This is how I feel every time that I open a Catherine Ryan Hyde book. Many books are hard work to read. It takes time to get into them, to understand the plot and… Read More Back With My Old Friends
I haven’t had a chance to write about recent book loves. Of course, anyone who wants my constant play-by-play can join me on Goodreads. There are a few particularly compelling books, however, that I wanted to discuss at more length. I’d love to hear your thoughts and to know what you’re reading as well. Not… Read More 4 Recent Reads to Recommend
We’ve spent a lot of time traveling around the country, but we’ve never managed to get ourselves as a family unit to Kiryat Shemona and the surrounding area. So this year, I decided that this would be our destination for Pesach (Passover). We spend a few days each chol hamoed (the interim days of Pesach)… Read More 4 Treasures in Northern Israel
It could have been the making of a great reality TV show – pit a family of 8 against poison ivy, barbed wire fences and broken trails and see if they can get out in one piece. But it wasn’t a reality TV show last week – it was just our reality. We spent three… Read More The Blue Trail
Thursday night, we attended the funeral of a soldier, a student, a son and brother. A child of Israel. But unlike most funerals, this one took 37 years to happen. It brought together thousands upon thousands of Israelis to pay their final respects, and to fulfill a promise that Israel makes to each of us;… Read More Embraced by the Land Once Again
A couple of months ago, as Josh was planning a work trip, he asked if I wanted to meet him somewhere in Europe when he returned. It would be a free stopover for him, and we could use points for me, creating a not-so-expensive and fun adventure. Now, my inclination was to say no. No,… Read More A Short Tour of Vienna
I just finished reading Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant’s book called Option B. I found it so moving (on my Kindle) that I immediately went and bought a paper edition that I hope to lend to a few friends who are struggling. Now, I understand that there are those who did not enjoy this book.… Read More What If You Can’t Have Option A?
My necklace makes me happy today. Life is complicated and there are so many reasons not to be happy; or maybe I should say there are so many reasons to be frazzled, worried, confused, upset or tired. I try to find little things throughout the day that perk me up and make me smile. And… Read More The Happiness of a Simple Necklace
