People ask me periodically how I am getting through this difficult time in Israeli history. It has not been easy. I have found some new coping mechanisms that may help others. I would love to hear from you to know what new tools you’ve put into your tool box for times of need. 1. Community:… Read More From Mahjong to Mitzvot
We are all a bit broken in Israel. After 16 months of war, we are tired, worried, anxious. Last night, Idan Amedi repaired a tiny bit of that broken spirit, uniting us through his beautiful words and his incredible presence. Amedi has come back to himself, and to all of us, after being gravely wounded… Read More A Superman for our Times
The first time that I went to synagogue on Friday night, after October 7, 2023, I thought I might pass out. I could barely sit there in my own skin. Our shul attracts a vibrant crowd with a lot of singing and beautiful davening, and there are many teenage girls who come to be part… Read More Braided Hope
Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of the fall of Ephraim Jackman, a friend and neighbor who died defending all of us in our war against terror. Ephraim fell in Gaza and I think most of us at the cemetery probably remember where we were at the moment that we heard the terrible news a… Read More From Cemetery to Ceasefire
A few days ago, I stood with thousands at Har Herzl to pay our last respects to Yona Brief. Yona was a member of the elite commando Duvdevan unit. On October 7th, 2023 while fighting in Kfar Aza, he was shot 13 times and survived his injuries for 417 days in intensive care. 417 days… Read More Intersecting Paths at Har Herzl
“I’m going to need the car tomorrow.” “It was a bad day for Golani.” This message pops up on WhatsApp early yesterday afternoon and my heart sinks. My son, my beautiful son, who has already seen and heard and smelled and done so much, is hurting again. With the Golani WhatsApp network, he knows almost… Read More The Ironed Uniform & The Tear-Stained Shirt
There is a practice during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to ask forgiveness. While getting ourselves spiritually ready for the new year and facing Hashem’s decrees for the year on Yom Kippur, we are also supposed to set things right with the people in our lives. It’s a beautiful idea, but… Read More Forgive Me, Dear Children
You know you’ve got the short end of the stick for the day when you video call your husband from the tire puncture place, while watching him float down a river in Thailand. But I don’t feel envious, or jealous, or frustrated. I just feel grateful for both of our journeys today. And here’s why.… Read More Tirelessly Moving Forward
On October 6, 2023 70 students from my son’s high school set out together to Sderot. Every year on Simchat Torah they go to another location to sing and dance with the residents and to bring happiness to the area. For the last few years, they’ve been in various communities in Jerusalem, but they decided… Read More Gratitude for Graduation
I woke up this morning feeling better than my poor jet-lagged body has felt since I landed Friday. And, realizing that the jetlag and prohibitive heat have made exercise tricky, I decided to veer off my normal schedule and take a morning walk. By chance, one of my friends was available and we walked together… Read More A Prayer for Laughter
