“If someone told you a year ago that you’d both be here about to get acupuncture, would you have ever believed them?” “Beth,” I began, “I can beat that. If someone said 20 years ago that I’d be living in Israel and raising six kids…My life seems to be filled with actions and outcomes that… Read More In Sickness & In Health
I’ve read many accounts of the Six Day War, as I’m sure many of you have, but I’ve never read a first- person account – until now. Rabbi Emanuel Feldman’s 50th anniversary edition of his book, The 28th of Iyar, is an excellent addition to the canon of literature about this pivotal moment in history.… Read More A Snapshot Into History
I created a new file today for the file cabinet. It says “Army Stuff” on it. And as I filed it away, with the first of my first son’s army papers in it, I just couldn’t believe that we had come to this stage. Tonight, I stood in the Neve Daniel hall with hundreds of… Read More Carrying the Torch of our Futures
Since I wrote my last reading round-up in January, I have read some amazing books – and some really bad ones. As you get ready for Spring Break, Easter, or Passover, I figured it would be great to have a new book to enjoy! Here is the rundown of my latest finds. Books I Loved… Read More Romi’s Reading Round-Up for February and March 2017
As many of my friends know, we’ve had a unique opportunity this year to reconnect with a student of mine from Churchill High School. It just so happens that he’s a professional basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem. Yeah, it’s been wild. So, of course, as Purim started to roll around, my two little guys decided… Read More An Only-In-Israel Purim Emergency
At sixteen, I came to Israel on a teen tour. I enjoyed the 6 week experience, the tour of the country and the beauty of the Land. And then I went home. But something had stuck, had connected, had pulled me. I returned as a 20 year old college student, and then for a year… Read More A First for our First: Tzav Rishon
The modern State of Israel is a complete miracle. With all of its complexities, problems and issues, it is a miracle that we’ve come home after 2000 years and that we are a thriving and free democratic society. When most people think about Israel, an image of the Kotel comes to mind; of the Old… Read More When Zionism Looks Like a Basketball Game
Last week, right before school started, we received this schedule (included below) in an email. When I opened it, I sat and admired it for a few minutes. Now, I know it’s unusual to get goosebumps over a bus schedule, but that’s exactly how I reacted. This is one of the many, many examples of… Read More Goosebumps over the Bus Schedule
Today is our Aliyaversary. We got onto the plane 12 years ago today with two little boys, a baby on the way and our whole lives ahead. I still can’t believe we did it or how rich and vibrant our lives would be as a result. But as I reflect on 12 years, there are… Read More Mazal Tov! It’s the Sussmans’ Only Bat Mitzvah!
Last week, I was telling one of my colleagues about how we all woke up in my house at 4am to watch game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. He chuckled, shook his head and said, “I bet this is at the top of your list of things your 22 year… Read More Things My 22 Year Old Self Could Never Have Imagined
