The American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy defines “peer pressure” as: “The social influence a peer group exerts on its individual members, as each member attempts to conform to the expectations of the group.” In common colloquial terms, we think of peer pressure as the negative and insidious way teenagers coerce each other to…
“I need a plot! What if I die?” This is the text I received the other night from my 13-year-old son, Levi. Getting a text from your son when he’s sitting across the table from you is a sure sign that you’ve entered (cue weird Twilight Zone music) … the teenage years. We were enjoying…
I am thoroughly dumbstruck. I was just informed by our mail order prescription drug company that I do not have the right, under newly amended HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) laws, to manage my 13-year-old son’s prescriptions. This information was dumped on me after two hours of tech support idiocy as I attempted…
Last year I volunteered at my son Eli’s third-grade holiday class party. The mood was festive and fun, the kids were excited and the treats were abundant. It was everything a holiday party should be. I was assigned to the BINGO station. Unfortunately, one of the more aggressive moms got there first and staked out…
I remember the first time I pled my case for overnight camp to my husband, Mark. My eldest son, Levi, wanted to go to Camp Newman in California. Mark was against it and offered the age-old rationale: “I never went to sleep-away camp and I turned out just fine.” Luckily I knew better than to…
My six years of camp were memorable milestones in my childhood. I intended to become a counselor after a summer in Israel, but life took me in a different direction. Then I found myself back at camp at the age of 42. Though I love the independence that camp instills in children, my second son…
Established in 1941, Camp Friendly Pines has been called “an Arizona tradition.” For Margaret “Margo” Cramer, 14, Friendly Pines Camp is both an Arizona and a family tradition she’s happy to continue. She is the daughter of Amy S. Cramer and Amelia Craig Cramer, who spent many happy childhood days at Friendly Pines more than…
An impressive 70% of Camp Daisy and Harry Stein campers return to the overnight Jewish camp the following summer. Nestled in the majestic Bradshaw Forest of Prescott, Camp Stein is owned and operated by Congregation Beth Israel in Scottsdale. The forest environment provides the perfect setting for the many outdoor activities, such as mountain biking…
I felt like I was channeling my parents this week when I heard myself complaining about how I miss "good old days" – when people actually sent handwritten thank you notes and invitations, rather than texing, Facebooking or sending e-vites. Call me old fashioned, but ther'es seomthing nice about getting a real live letter or…
8 months prior • Secure your child’s mitzvah date at your synagogue and schedule their lessons. • Meet with your event planner to set planning guidelines for the event weekend celebrations (budgets, needs lists, logistics etc.). • Secure venues and caterers for the mitzvah weekend events (Friday night service/dinner, Saturday kiddush after service, Saturday party, Sunday…
