Circle Of Friends: A Group For The Single Woman

Posted on: July 15th, 2009

When you lose your spouse, whether s/he was sick or healthy, whether it's through divorce or death, the transition period into the next part of your life is a difficult one. Many new singles find that they no longer fit into their old friendships. They are no longer part of a couple, so associating with couples can be uncomfortable.

News From Poland

Posted on: July 15th, 2009

As the summer gets underway there are many events throughout Poland connected to Jewish history and culture. It usually kicks off with the massive Krakow Jewish Festival and ends with the Singer Festival in Warsaw. Also many Jewish groups come to Poland during the summer to visit their hometowns, work in the cemeteries and look for connections to the pre-Shoah past.

News From Poland

Posted on: July 15th, 2009

As the summer gets underway there are many events throughout Poland connected to Jewish history and culture. It usually kicks off with the massive Krakow Jewish Festival and ends with the Singer Festival in Warsaw. Also many Jewish groups come to Poland during the summer to visit their hometowns, work in the cemeteries and look for connections to the pre-Shoah past.

The Loss Of Femininity (Part II)

Posted on: July 8th, 2009

Last week I wrote about how female caregivers are affected by the role reversals that take place as they care for husbands with chronic illness. As the husband's illness progresses, and he is able to do less and less for himself, his wife ends up doing more. And, as she continues to take on the traditional male roles, her loss of femininity may escalate. When this happens, it is reflected in how she cares or perhaps in how she stops caring and taking care of herself.

Warsaw Museum Construction Begins

Posted on: July 8th, 2009

After years of planning, and two years after the initial groundbreaking ceremony, construction has begun for the Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland.

Warsaw Museum Construction Begins

Posted on: July 8th, 2009

After years of planning, and two years after the initial groundbreaking ceremony, construction has begun for the Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland.

Polish Prisoners To Help Maintain Jewish Cemeteries

Posted on: July 1st, 2009

As I have reported many times over the past 12 years that I have been writing this column, one of the major problems in Poland today, even greater then anti-Semitism, is the poor condition of Jewish historical sites. Many of the cemeteries are overgrown and synagogue buildings are in disrepair.

Polish Prisoners To Help Maintain Jewish Cemeteries

Posted on: July 1st, 2009

As I have reported many times over the past 12 years that I have been writing this column, one of the major problems in Poland today, even greater then anti-Semitism, is the poor condition of Jewish historical sites. Many of the cemeteries are overgrown and synagogue buildings are in disrepair.

The Loss Of Femininity (Part I)

Posted on: July 1st, 2009

For most women, care-giving means taking on many of the roles that were routinely filled by their husbands, in addition to those things they were already responsible for. For many of these women, this has been hard to deal with. Not just because of the difficult physical nature of these new, additional roles, or even the tremendous emotional burden that has been added to the women's daily routine.

Perseverating

Posted on: June 24th, 2009

Recently, as I exited my car in a crowded parking lot, I saw an elderly woman approach an elderly man as he was getting out of his car. Wagging her finger in the man's face, the woman yelled. "Do you know why I'm here? I'mhere to tell you that you are not a very nice man!"

Virtual Shtetl Portal

Posted on: June 24th, 2009

The Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews is proud to announce the launching of the Virtual Shtetl website, which is devoted to the local history of Jews. Although at the moment of its launch the portal is primarily a source of information, its future is based on the interaction of web surfers using Web 2.0 technology. The medium created will constitute a bridge between the history of Polish Jewish towns and the contemporary, multicultural world.

Virtual Shtetl Portal

Posted on: June 24th, 2009

The Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews is proud to announce the launching of the Virtual Shtetl website, which is devoted to the local history of Jews. Although at the moment of its launch the portal is primarily a source of information, its future is based on the interaction of web surfers using Web 2.0 technology. The medium created will constitute a bridge between the history of Polish Jewish towns and the contemporary, multicultural world.

More Responses On The Topic Of Chronic Illness and Shidduchim

Posted on: June 17th, 2009

For the last two weeks I have shared your responses, suggestions and experiences about marrying into a family wherein there is a parent who has a chronic illness. This was prompted by a letter I received from a woman who wrote that her daughter is having difficulty getting dates because her father has Multiple Sclerosis. Below are more letters from readers who wanted to share their experience and offer help.

Jewish Cultural Festival In Krakow

Posted on: June 17th, 2009

The 19th Jewish Cultural Festival in Krakow will be held between June 27 and July 5. As always Janusz Makuch, director of the festival has organized an exciting program with all the usual performers and many exciting new exhibits, lectures, tours and musical artists.

Jewish Cultural Festival In Krakow

Posted on: June 17th, 2009

The 19th Jewish Cultural Festival in Krakow will be held between June 27 and July 5. As always Janusz Makuch, director of the festival has organized an exciting program with all the usual performers and many exciting new exhibits, lectures, tours and musical artists.

More Responses On The Topic Of Chronic Illness And Shidduchim

Posted on: June 10th, 2009

These letters are in response to a letter written by a woman whose daughter is having difficulty getting dates because her father has a chronic illness. She also pointed out that there is an assumption that life in their home is depressing because of the illness. These responses deal with both issues, but how they contradict the myth of depression is particularly interesting.

News From Poland

Posted on: June 10th, 2009

Przemysl               On June 22, 2009 a tablet commemorating the former Scheinbach Synagogue building (today the town library) will be unveiled in Przemysl. The ceremony will take place at the former synagogue at 15 Slowackiego St. It is anticipated that there will be hundreds of guests from Poland and abroad. The tablet is a [...]

Thoughts On Shidduchim From The Families Of The Chronically Ill: – Responses

Posted on: June 3rd, 2009

Last week I shared a letter from a concerned well spouse whose daughter is having problems getting dates because of her husband's illness (Multiple Sclerosis). She indicated that there is an assumption that her house is depressed because of the illness. I asked for comments and suggestions from those who have experience with this situation. Below are responses that every shadchan and parent without experience with chronic illness should read.

The Children Of The Chronically Ill And Their Battle For Shidduchim

Posted on: May 27th, 2009

Dear Ms. Novick, I would like to thank you for your thoughtful column. The information you provide has helped me through the ups and downs of living with a spouse who had MS.

Ostroleka Jewish Cemetery Exposed During Roadwork

Posted on: May 27th, 2009

The Jewish community in Ostroleka Poland was first established in the 17th century and like all other communities in Poland saw good times and bad. At the beginning of the 20th century the community numbered 6,219. During WWI the Russian Army destroyed the town while retreating and many Jews left for other cities, especially Warsaw. But after the war, Jews returned to Ostrolekaand by 1921 they numbered 3,352, more then a third of the total population.