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.

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 […]

Posted on: June 10th, 2009

Human nature is such that we tend to procrastinate the attainment of important milestones and goals, such as an education or a shidduch. This is so because we delude ourselves into thinking that we have all the time in the world.

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.

Posted on: June 3rd, 2009

In 1927 Captain N. Taylor Phillips1 delivered an address before Congregation Shearith Israel in New York in which he recalled some of the history and traditions of early New York American Jewry. His recollections give fascinating insight into Jewish religious life in America when the community was still in its infancy.

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.

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.

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.

Posted on: May 27th, 2009

I wait at the airport for the arrival of my youngest son, along with his wife and baby. Upon arrival, they will rent a car and make their way in an unfamiliar city to his oldest brother's house.

Posted on: May 20th, 2009

Dear Young and Not Pressured: I am responding to your letter from two weeks ago. I take issue with both your general message and with many of its specifics.   The general message you sent is to put your energy and focus into whatever intrigues you, i.e. your career, socialization, etc. And then when your […]

Posted on: May 20th, 2009

I have spent the last two articles discussing some common joys and problems we face as the holidays come and go. Baby Boomer women, growing up in the era (or should I say, "with the error,") of the self imposed attitude of "we can do it all" without help, have for the most part not discussed the difficulty of the holidays with anyone except other boomers.

Posted on: May 20th, 2009

So often, when it comes to furniture in a home with children, there is a tug of war between functionality and beauty. Either get the industrial strength dining chairs that are ugly but never stain, or the elegant chairs that will force you to exercise your vocal cords all the time. There are those, of course, who get the beautiful chairs and cover them with industrial strength plastic, but they're not fooling anyone. I personally prefer the happy children.

Posted on: May 14th, 2009

Now that you know how to research companies before an interview, the next step in the process is to present the proper image and be fully prepared for the face-to-face meeting.

Posted on: May 13th, 2009

Malky's father-in-law had been in the hospital for months. Now, with Pesach approaching and his health improving, her in-laws would be joining Malky and her family for the holiday. Malky knew it would mean more demands on her time, and she understood that being an on-site caregiver was not going to be easy. But Malky loved her in-laws and wanted them with her for Pesach.

Posted on: May 13th, 2009

Among the missions left unfinished after the passing of Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yossie Raichik was the completion of a Torah Scroll for a synagogue bearing his ancestor's name. That changed last week as his widow, Dina Raichik, joined a procession of hundreds of singing celebrants through the streets of Krakow, Poland's historic Jewish quarter, to finally welcome the Holy Scroll in the centuries-old Rema Synagogue.

Posted on: May 13th, 2009

Among the missions left unfinished after the passing of Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yossie Raichik was the completion of a Torah Scroll for a synagogue bearing his ancestor's name. That changed last week as his widow, Dina Raichik, joined a procession of hundreds of singing celebrants through the streets of Krakow, Poland's historic Jewish quarter, to finally welcome the Holy Scroll in the centuries-old Rema Synagogue.

Posted on: May 6th, 2009

Many members of the baby boomer generation have now become caregivers. It was part of the baby boomers' assumed character as young women to be the group that could do it all. We would work, raise our children, and go on to advanced degrees - all at the same time and with no help needed from anyone. Asking for help was not part of our persona. We were Superwoman. Our daughters, growing up in our homes, must have thought we were crazy.

Posted on: May 6th, 2009

My mother's recent yahrzeit after Pesach, coupled with Yom HaZikaron and recent Yom Tovim and Shabbatot spent with my children and grandchildren, has cemented my belief that I was robbed of a major life asset - my grandparents. While I knew that having them was a life-enhancing relationship, I didn't truly comprehend it until I became one.

Posted on: May 6th, 2009

The Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews, based in Warsaw, for a long time has had an office in New York City. With limited staff and resources, the chairman of the North American Council of the museum, Mr. Sigmund Rolat, has worked tirelessly to promote the museum through arranging events. Recently with the growth of activities both in Poland and in the U.S. it was decided to enlarge the North American Council staff. To that goal Robert Socolof has been appointed executive director of North American Council for the Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews.

Posted on: May 6th, 2009

The Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews, based in Warsaw, for a long time has had an office in New York City. With limited staff and resources, the chairman of the North American Council of the museum, Mr. Sigmund Rolat, has worked tirelessly to promote the museum through arranging events. Recently with the growth of activities both in Poland and in the U.S. it was decided to enlarge the North American Council staff. To that goal Robert Socolof has been appointed executive director of North American Council for the Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews.