As far back as Ilana Muhlstein can remember she struggled mightily with her weight. As a morbidly obese child whose weight was the center of her family’s focus, she took comfort in sitting on a stool in front of the TV mindlessly eating to stuff down feelings about her chaotic family life and her parents’…
By Rabbi Dr. Robert L. Kravitz, Jewish Family & Children’s Service Every New Year presents us with a chance to pause and reflect on the past year. Considered a festive time, many will dress up and attend New Year’s Eve/Day parties and watch football. As in every special season, our tradition calls…
By Doug Parisi, Director of Training, SafeDefend We are all so reliant on others to provide a safe and secure environment for us, that we often neglect taking basic steps to protect ourselves. Those who abdicate their personal responsibility are more likely to have a negative outcome should something bad occur. Here are 9 steps you can take…
Although the hotter temperatures are just around the corner, we are truly enjoying these cool days as spring begins on March 20. Then, a week later, we will be celebrating the first night of Passover on March 27. It is difficult not to draw some symbolism from these two dates. Spring is associated with new life, and Passover commemorates…
2020 has been a year like no other. We have seen a pandemic, the likes of which the world has not experienced in more than 100 years. We are also experiencing one of the most divisive political and social climates in our nation’s history. Anti-Semitism, racism and unemployment are up, and our economy is tumbling…
At a time when our country feels so divided amid the political climate, COVID-19, protests, economic hardships and now fires, I crave and appreciate kindness. People and relationships that I may have taken for granted are now treasured more than ever. I was in this appreciative mindset when I was even more touched by the kind generosity…
You have probably noticed how much has been written about people’s generosity during these challenging COVID-19 times. And the Jewish community is no exception. Over the last six months, we have had dozens of conversations with our readers and followers about how and where they can help. Some asked for suggestions of where they can donate, while others…
There are many wonderful things about social media, but as with many things, there is a negative side as well. Over the last four or five months, there have been many, many posts from both Jews and non-Jews about how sheltering in place is akin to what Anne Frank and her family went through during World…
This week has been a tough one for the Jews on social media. Anti-Semitism, Israel bashing and political divisiveness are running rampant. Maybe it is just COVID exhaustion and everyone’s nerves being shot, but we have seen a lot more Jewish on Jewish attacks in the last week, both nationally and locally, then we have…
You’re Jewish? Wow, you don’t look Jewish. I am sure that many of you have had that comment directed at you at some point in your life, as I have. My usual knee jerk reaction is to inform them that there are black, brown and white Jews and Scandinavian, Italian and Chinese Jews. I know it is…
