I received an email from a Christian woman who told me this: I am Christian and my ex-husband is Muslim. I have nowhere to turn for help so I’m writing to you even though neither of us is Jewish. While we were married we raised our ten year old girl to observe both religions. Now…
Read More »Children
How does it feel to be given the choice of religions?
Jason Segel, star of How I Met Your Mother (and various films) is the son of a Christian mother and a Jewish father. Segel was recently interviewed on Marc Maron’s podcast, WTF. About 15 minutes into the podcast the subject of religion comes up. For the next 5 minutes Jason pokes gentle fun at…
Read More »How to Handle Kids Who Say, “Jews are going to hell”?
I received this question from a Jewish mom to my Mixed and Matched column: My husband was raised in a nominally Christian family. We are raising our kids Jewish. Our oldest is going to public school in the fall. I feel like I should prepare our son for the inevitable Christian child who tells him,…
Read More »Jewish Summer Camp
Here comes summer! I asked Liora, the Youth and Family Concierge for the East Bay Federation to share some thoughts about Jewish Summer Camp. I did so because she has a marvelous spreadsheet of summer camp options and I want you to feel welcome to give them a try. Here’s what she has to say…
Read More »Wishing for an Egg Hunt? Check out this Afikomen Hunt!
I’m struck dumb with admiration! The Bible Belt Balabusta has come up with an Afikomen Treasure Hunt that will mollify the most ardent Easter Egg longings. Here’s what she says about her 2015 hunt: Here’s the first clue in this year’s Afikomen Treasure Hunt. Each guest had an origami frog place card (my index…
Read More »Can We Color Eggs?
(From Mixed and Matched column March 2015) I’ve received many questions this month about painting eggs. Spring brings Passover and Easter, sometimes right on top of each other. While Jews are focusing on slavery, emancipation and unleavened bread, Easter seems to be focusing on bunnies, candy baskets and egg hunts. The real meaning of the…
Read More »