(This letter originally appeared in my Mixed and Matched column in the J-weekly on July 7, 2020.) Dear Dawn: I need some objective advice. My husband is Jewish but no longer feels connected to Judaism. He openly states he has no interest in meeting with the Jewish community in our area. I’m a second-generation…
Read More »Children
Why I want to take my daughter to the mikvah with me when I convert
(This originally appeared in my Mixed and Matched column of the J-weekly on 9/26/19) Dear Dawn: I married my Jewish husband a decade ago. We agreed to raise our children as Jews and joined a Reform synagogue when our daughter was born. Through my daughter I have become more and more involved in Judaism and…
Read More »No Jewish Summer Camp in 2020
(JCC Maccabi Sports Camp from Camp Collective website) Right about now I would be making suggestions and referrals to Jewish summer camps – day camps and sleep over camps. But one by one the camps are announcing their closure for this season due to COVID-19. It is terribly sad and disappointing for kids and their…
Read More »Jewish Summer Camp
The Jewish Community Federation sent out this message: Kids spend an average of 7 hours a day on screens. How can we divert their attention from virtual life to real play, keeping them happy, motivated, and interested in the world around them? Two words: summer camp. Jewish overnight camp can be life-changing for a child….
Read More »Make Summer Memories
I received this flier in an email from the Osher Marin JCC and just instantly fell in love with the vibrant photos of kids enjoying SUMMER! Then I read the testimonial by fourth grader Hailey. So sweet! Take a look at all the summer options for kids – and adults – at the Marin…
Read More »Up next, Shavuot + Jewish Summer Camp
Shavuot starts on Saturday at sundown Are you wondering, what exactly is Shavuot and what are we supposed to DO? Here’s a quickie overview. Here’s an interesting article about why Shavuot is so short on rituals, and therefore, observance. Tikkun Leyl Shavout, the practice of staying up all night to study originates with the mystics and was not…
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