News and Reflections
Reflections on the Kaddish
January 2011 My neighbor and friend, Ofer, died suddenly and unexpectedly last week from flu complications. He was a good man and had touched many lives. The funeral Friday morning started outside our community synagogue, an institution which plays a very important...
Reflections On The Elderly
September 2011 There’s been an emptiness in my life recently and I tried figuring out why. At first, I thought it was because my household recently emptied out dramatically. My daughter and son-in-law moved back to their own house after living with me for two weeks...
Reflections on Torah Study
August 2009 I went more than three weeks ago, but it’s still so fresh in my mind and it was such a glorious day, that I wanted to share it with you. On Thursday, July 23rd, I joined thousands of men and women of all ages flooding the campus of the Herzog College of...
Reflections on Aliyah
August 2011 I remember that day as if it were yesterday, and almost feel again those pains in my stomach and in my heart… the day we left America to move to Israel. At that point we had been living for a few weeks at my mother’s house, because the cargo lift with...
Reflections on Grace After Meals
You walk in the door from a long day at work, university, or even a bike ride around the neighborhood. And you’re hungry. Your stomach is actually rumbling. The table is spread with a basket of fresh pita bread, some steamed vegetables, a huge platter of burgers...
Reflections on the Amidah
All prayer is an opportunity to converse with G-d, to reach out to Him and make contact. The Jewish prayer service in synagogue involves a loud and lively give and take between the Cantor and the Congregation, and it is not unusual for everyone to break into song....
Reflections on Being a Grandmother
Maybe if I put it down on paper and can see it in black and white, it will become more real to me. On Tuesday, November 4th, at 4:35 P.M., my daughter Avigayil gave birth to a baby boy…my grandson. I am a grandmother! It was a very emotional day. My mother...
Reflections on Charity
I was in the den, involved in a good book when I saw my daughter Ahuva walking into the kitchen and pouring a drink. When I heard the clanging of coins being rustled around in our loose change container, I knew that someone was at the door, asking for charity. Our...
People in My Neighborhood: Meet Albert
November 2011 I went to our neighborhood's Li'V'Lach store yesterday to buy chalk for my grandson's new blackboard. A handful of people were standing around the locked door, waiting for Albert to arrive and open for business. It was 20 minutes past opening time but...
People in My Neighborhood: Chaim and Dina
December 2011 I spoke to Dina the other day. She was having a hard time dealing with the recent anniversary of her daughter's death. She told me that before the actual day, things are always busy with planning the yearly memorial service, so emotions are held in...