August can be a really hard month as a parent in Israel. The country loves its children. And the country has a very high percentage of families who rely on two incomes. And yet, for some reason that I have yet to understand after 19 years, there are very few camp choices for kids in… Read More The Sussmans Take August
I love that, 17 years later, there are still things that surprise me about our Aliyah; things that still give me goose bumps. I run a lot of errands on Friday mornings, getting our delicious baked goods from Pat Ba’Melach (and chatting with friends and staff), checking the mail (often the only time all week!),… Read More Why the Newspaper Gives me Goose Bumps
My Aliyah, and my Aliyah baby, have our tzav rishon today. I’m not sure we’re ready, but we’re going to have to be. 17 years ago, my Aliyah arrived, cradled in a safe nucleus of fluid, of love. It was protected, nurtured, safe. And, over the years, it has learned to walk, to speak Hebrew,… Read More My Aliyah Has Its Tzav Rishon Today
Zeli, mazal tov! We are so excited to reach this day with you, surrounded by friends and by the thoughts and love of our families who couldn’t make it for the simcha. We know they are thinking about you and loving you. We thank Hashem for getting us to this moment. If ever there were… Read More Mazal Tov to Azriel Dor (Zeli)
Yes, Israel is a small country. And yes, it feels like half of it goes up North in August (and the other half leaves for European hiking and beach locations). But it still surprises me every time that my kids run into their friends while we are on vacation. We just returned from a 4… Read More Where Everybody Knows Your Name
The week that we made Aliyah, we ordered a bunk bed that was quickly delivered. What we forgot, however, was a guard rail so that little Yehuda could transition out of his crib without falling out of the bed. It was Friday, and we went over to our new neighbors to ask if they might,… Read More Goodbye Caterpillar, We Loved You
We just returned from four great days in the North, staying in Moshav Amirim and hiking in the surrounding area. When we travel with the kids in Israel, there are three things that make me laugh and marvel at my children. They are such “Israel” moments and they surprise me each time that they happen.… Read More 3 Secret Maps Only For Israeli Kids
We just returned from an absolutely amazing three week trip to the States to see family. It was glorious for many reasons. It was wonderful to see so much family and to get to enjoy time together. It was a joy to have so much uninterrupted time with my children, to watch them bond and… Read More Zionism on the Road
As my children grow, it’s definitely a funny experience to be an American raising Israeli kids. My children speak English in the house, and they know about many American things. We are often caught off-guard, however, with the little nuances in their thought processes, with the expressions they use and with the endearing accents that… Read More SABABA!
