Bubby? Who Me?
When my oldest grandchild, Penina Bracha, was born three years ago on Yom Kippur, the fact that there was now a third generation in the family - two after me, didn't really have any major impact on how I viewed myself.
Pride, Prejudice And Potatoes
There is a wise Yiddish saying that translates into this observation: "Yichus (illustrious ancestors) is like a potato - they are both under the ground."
Apikores? Who Me?
I have always insisted that everything that happens to anyone or anything is min Shamayim.
Where Rain Reigns, Hail Is Hailed, And Israel Is Real
Perhaps the one characteristic that unites people of all nationalities, cultures and creeds is a fascination with weather, especially bad weather.
The New Shidduch Crisis: Divorce
Times have changed and divorced people have sadly gone from being singularities to almost a sub-community.
E-Mail This – Or Else?
Like most people on this planet whose abodes are wired to electricity, I have a computer and go online. It is amazing to me that information on any subject or on any matter can be instantly retrieved with a few clicks of a mouse.
The New Jews Of Europe
Kristallnacht, when Jewish-owned properties and synagogues in Germany were smashed and set on fire by frenzied mobs, will seem like a mild precursor to what Islamic fundamentalists are going to do to their soon-to-be minority neighbors.
A Pleasant Yom Tov? It’s All In The Details
Were you to play a game of word association, Pesach would immediately be connected with "cleaning "and "company" (and possibly, potatoes.) Pesach is the one holiday that magnet-like, pulls families together.
Smorgasbord Orthodoxy?
Why does Chani have a lollipop in her mouth? I told you not to give her another one!
Success Is In The Trying
With Chanukah - the Festival of Lights quickly approaching, Jews the world over are busy planning get-togethers, preparing or buying latkes and donuts, shopping for gifts for children and adults alike and generally looking forward to having fun and a much welcome break from the daily grind of life.
Perspective: Silver Linings In Dark Clouds
Tthe kids will become creative and inventive and innovative. One teenage sibling I know, with a talent for sewing, is teaching her younger siblings how to use a sewing machine, including the boys.
Self-Image And Barking Dogs (Part I)
Chanukah is over and we are now dealing with the repercussions of wantonly indulging in crispy, crunchy, melt in your mouth potato latkes and overdosing on sugary, chocolaty, jelly-oozing donuts.
Beware Of The Krimme
She told me that she was busy and that he could sit in his wet clothes for the rest of the day. It would teach him to be more careful.
A Window Into The Past; A Lesson For The Future
Earlier this month, members of the Toronto Jewish community were given a rare opportunity to be visually transported back in time. The film, filmed in 1922, is called Hungry Hearts, and is based on the short stories of writer Anzia Yezierska, a Jewish woman born in Poland in the 1880s whose family immigrated to New York. Many of her writings are centered on her experiences and those of other immigrants living in the Lower East Side. Like all movies made at that time, it is silent, with dialogue conveyed by cue cards.
‘Poor-him (Purim)’ – Haman Should Have Listened To His Wife
Smart husbands know that their wives as a rule are full of common sense and wisdom and if they want to be successful in life, they should listen to what their wife has to say - and follow it.
Toronto Mourns Loss Of ‘Twin Towers’
For many people, one of the most difficult blessings to say with the proper kavana - sincerity -
is the one uttered upon hearing of a person's passing - Baruch Dayan HaEmet - Blessed is the True Judge.
Heads Up: Mindful Walking
Remember how as children we were told to look both ways before crossing the street?
Sensible Suggestions
Make sure when walking alone on Shabbat and Yom Tov, that you have your name and/or address in a pocket (if there is a eruv) since you won’t have your purse or phone with you.
Survivor’s Guilt
In my previous three columns (1-7, 1-21 & 2-04-2011) I wrote about my experience with thyroid cancer - a disease that I actually had twice, almost nine years apart. I was very lucky that this is a very curable carcinoma, and even more fortunate that I never felt any real discomfort or pain from the two surgeries and radioactive iodine treatments I underwent. Even when I was very hypothyroid - a prerequisite for the radioactive iodine to have the maximum affect on any cancer cells that were not removed by the surgery - I still felt fine.
The Joy Of VENTalation
Outside is a winter-white wonderland replete with dazzling trees, wires, and sidewalks seemingly wrapped in glittery silver foil. It’s quite lovely to look at, which is about all I can do since I’m stuck indoors. Icicle-laden tree branches are bent and hunch-backed by the frozen heaviness of their popsicle-like burden, and the voices squawking from the battery-operated transistor radio I am listening to are warning people not to go out since walkways and roads are extremely slippery, and there is real danger from falling trees.
The Shidduch Parshah May Be Fattening And Bad For Your Health
I'm not a doctor, nor a biological scientist, but I do know that people under stress produce a hormone called cortisol, which helps the body deal with a stressful event by increasing energy and immunity and even lowering sensitivity to pain.
Remembering An Eishet Chayil
Most Pesach observers - after a week of overdosing on matzah and potatoes - in a myriad of manifestations look forward to when Passover has, well, passed over.
An Evil Son Or A Lost Soul?
While it would seem from his question that he is being chuzpadik and dismissive, I wonder if its possible, if just maybe, he is a struggling, confused neshama who actually wants to come back to the fold.
Educating Students To Watch Over Their Souls
I'd like to point out certain lifesaving classes that I think would be in the best interest of all students to be taught, and should be part of the curriculum.
Appreciate Life By Saying ‘Thank You’
One of the subjects I was taught as a young child in the excellent day school I attended in Toronto (at the time called Associated Hebrew Day Schools) was Tefillah.
Who’s Got You?
Is there a precedent in the thousands of years since Jews accepted the Torah where there was such a widespread disdain of working?
Wedding Wonder
We've all been to hundreds of weddings throughout our lives. Most of them have been the simchas of friends - some of very close family members.
The Miracle Of Trying
Chanukah has come and gone, and so have the donuts, the latkes and the celebration of the two amazing miracles that took place at that time.
Shavuot: A Reminder That We Were All There
Boaz obviously finds it necessary to reassure Rut that no one will hassle or bully her while she is gleaning wheat, and twice he admonishes his field hands not to rebuke or shame her and make her feel threatened in any way.
‘Will Ema Come Home?’
Dear Readers,
As a change of pace, I wrote a short story with the hope that it might provide some insight as to how young children can assess ordinary situations in a way that may be surprising to grownups.