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Israel in a Time of Crisis

I have been thinking about how to talk to you about Israel when there is no simple statement to be made.  Then I received a beautiful letter that Rabbi Mark Bloom of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland wrote to his congregation.  I got his permission to share it with you here.  I was particularly touched by…

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Finding a Rabbi for Your Wedding

Of the many kinds of calls that I get, couples seeking a rabbi for their wedding is at the very top of the reasons list.  The caller is more frequently a woman, whether she is Jewish or not.  It could be because the woman is usually planning the wedding day, but I believe it is…

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Planning Your Interfaith Jewish Wedding

NEW LOCATION FOR PROGRAM:  PALO ALTO  What makes a wedding “Jewish”? How can we integrate elements from both our backgrounds? Where will we get an officiant? Do we want a rabbi? What are other couples doing? Where can we get a chuppah (wedding canopy) or a ketubbah (wedding contract)?   Join other interfaith couples to…

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Three New Year Resolutions

Resolutions Most of us will give some thought to New Year’s Resolutions.  Let me suggest three:   1. Spend sometime thinking about what you value in your heritage.  Try writing it down. 2. Tell your partner what you wrote and listen to what he/she wrote.  Try to really understand what is the same and what…

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PJ Library: books for kids ages 6 mos to 5 years

Read to your kids with PJ Library The Jewish Federations are distributing free of charge, age-appropriate Jewish-content books and music on a monthly basis to families with children from 6 months to age 5½. I love this program! Reading to children improves everything – their reading skills, their bonding with you, their listening and learning…

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Posted in Children
Published on December 23rd, 2008

Joy instead of Just Hassle

The big crush of Chanukah meets Christmas will begin this coming weekend when Chanukah starts on Sunday night.  With it comes the question of just how many presents do we give the kids?  How will we wrap them?  Where and when will we open them?   I vote for fewer presents and more memories.  Every…

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