Archives

We all have preconceived notions that we accept as real and never challenge.

Question: Popular radio personality Don Imus was fired last week over racial cracks he made about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Your reaction?

Most well spouses live their years as care givers without any one giving a care about them.

Whenever I meet people, and they find out I write about Jewish life in Poland, invariably they have questions.

Last week I discussed a situation where one child has taken in an ageing and ill parent to live with them and finds that his/her siblings are not contributing to the parent's care.

Question: Every year, new non-edible kosher for Passover products arrive in stores. Have we gone too far, or are we simply being justifiably stringent in observing Pesach?

The exhibit "And I Still See Their Faces," at the Yeshiva University Museum in the Jewish History Center in N.Y., was the site of a gala reception honoring two of Polish Jewry's greatest friends, Mr. Sigmund Rolat and Wayne Zuckerman.

Question: Is there any way to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians?

I received a letter from a distraught mother and her daughter. After all the children were married, the mother took her elderly parent in to live with them.

There is a saying that is often quoted by older parents that one mother can take care of 10 children but 10 children cannot take care of one mother.

Whenever I go to Poland I make a point of visiting the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw.

What is normal? It really can be anything we get used to.

Question: Are you concerned about global warming?

Half of the 20 tombstones in the Jewish cemetery of Swidin were broken March 1, according to Albert Stankowski of the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Warsaw. "This was done during the same time as the Claims Conference was visiting in Poland, and I have no doubt that the act against the cemetery was related," he said. Stankowksi was referring to a Claims Conference meeting last week with the government about compensation for Jewish property stolen by the Nazis and Communists.

When people hear of those honored as Righteous Among The Nations by Yad Vashem, they automatically think of the most renowned, such as Oscar Schindler or Raul Wallenberg.

The lure of warm weather in winter has many of us who are retired going south for the winter.

On January 5 of this year, I wrote about a reflexologist, who used her skills to not only diagnose and heal, but also provide a caring touch for people (such as the elderly who live alone and well spouses) who can live for weeks at a time without being touched.

Restoration And Future Plans Of The Yeshiva

Over the last several weeks I have received many letters that have offered advice, asked for help or simply responded to one of my articles.

Question: Every year we hear about teenagers overdrinking on Purim, in some cases requiring medical attention. What can be done to combat the problem?

Last week's column, mostly pictures, on the rededication of Yeshiva Chachmei Lublin, could only partially describe the joyous event.

I recently had a discussion with a friend. Her father was in care. On his floor was a young man with a chronic illness.

It has been said that Poland is a country of ghosts and for the past 68 years, since the invasion of Poland by the Germans in 1939, there has been little to celebrate.

Fraidy and Chaim were married for 10 years. They were still in love. They cared for and respected each other.

Question: Have you ever visited Israel?

So often when I speak to well spouse support groups, and we talk about how difficult the life of a well spouse is, the topic of why we stay in the marriage comes up for discussion.

In the first article on the Jews of Portugal, we reviewed the glorious periods of the history and depths of persecution to which Jews were subjected during the Inquisition.

With the upcoming anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, I thought it would be appropriate to write about Yizkor Books.

Question: Any practical suggestions on how to deal with the agunah situation?

Last week I tried to give some insight into the real existence of a well spouse.