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Purim, one of the most beloved Jewish holidays across the world, is also very popular in Poland. There were Purim celebrations in all the major cities including Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Wroclaw and many others. Wherever possible people read the Megillah, gave tzedakah and shared meals.

If you are old enough, you may remember how your job search was predicated on getting a head start on the Sunday editions of the New York Times and the New York Daily News and making a list of all the places you would call and all the resumes you would mail out on Monday morning.

Advanced technology allows information to flow instantly 24/7/365, which is why job boards have become larger and more sophisticated. But before you boot up your computer, you need to know which boards to use.

We live in very scary economic times. Many people have lost their jobs and are having difficulty finding other ones. This is causing families to lose their homes, unless they can find new means of making money in order to pay their mortgages. Retooling and leaving professions or jobs is difficult for everyone. Well spouses and the working chronically ill have less flexibility than most, as they are limited by their illness or the care-giving responsibilities.

There is a continuing effort by educational organizations at every level in Poland to bring a better understanding of Jewish culture to the people and especially the youth of Poland. Through education we can bring understanding and through understanding, respect, if not friendship.

I have often written my column about women and their experiences as caregivers. It was not my intension to exclude men, however most support groups I attended were either entirely or mostly made up of women. So naturally, I tend to see things from a woman's perspective.

The mayor of Brzostek, a Galician shtetl to the east of Tarnow and not far from Pilzno, has recently agreed to restore the memory of the Jews to his town. The Jewish cemetery is to be fenced and a monument erected there, and an additional plaque in memory of the Jews who used to live there is to be unveiled in the town center. The plaque will be unveiled and the cemetery rededicated in a ceremony to take place on Sunday June 14, 2009.

It was in 1859, according to the Central City Colorado History & Historic Facts website, that "John Gregory discovered 'The Gregory Lode' in a gulch near Central City. Within two weeks, the gold rush was on and within two months the population grew to 10,000 people seeking their fortunes.

In many countries around the world it is required by law to put warning labels on products, activities or places that can cause injury or death. Thus the labels of many medications and foods or items, such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, contain strong warnings on them saying that they are harmful. Likewise beaches that are unsafe to swim in due to a strong current, lack of a lifeguard, or high bacterial count also have signs posted cautioning people not to go swimming. Hospital rooms that contain radioactive products have signs warning about entering.

This past week the national unemployment rate reached 7.5 percent, and many of you are wondering, "How do I find a job in these turbulent times?" There is no quick fix solution; however, I can share with you what people who are conducting successful job searches are doing.

Imagine yourself a business owner who provides an incredible service; however the market is saturated with your Competition. What's more, customers have no clue about the value of what you have to offer; it's as if you don't exist.

The last few articles have dealt with advice that an experienced caregiver can pass on to someone who is new at it. The articles were prompted by a letter I received from a former caregiver who was trying to help out a friend who recently found herself in a similar caregiving situation.

In recent years The Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland has been active in preservation work throughout Poland. They work with local and international groups, as well as individuals, in reclaiming and maintaining Jewish communal property in places where there is no Jewish community. Their website, http://fodz.pl/?d=1&l=en is full of useful information as well as links to other important sites.

Last week I began my response to a letter I received from a former caregiver, Mrs. D. She had befriended a well spouse in a different city who was in a somewhat similar care- giving situation and wanted to help her.

I am constantly asked if there are things to do in Poland other then those that are Holocaust related.

I am constantly asked if there are things to do in Poland other then those that are Holocaust related.

Last week I published a letter I received from a former caregiver, Mrs. D. She had befriended a well spouse - a friend's mother who was in a different city and was in a somewhat similar care-giving situation, and she wanted to help her. They spent much time speaking by phone, and Mrs. D. made herself available to her new friend whenever she needed to talk.

I wrote a version of the poem below many years ago, before the term "shidduch crisis" came into vogue.

Dear Ms. Novick, I have been reading your column in The Jewish Press for quite a while and enjoy it very much. It has been very helpful. For many years, my mother, a"h, lived with us while she was going blind from glaucoma and becoming demented from Alzheimer's. G-d bless my wonderful husband and family for helping to love and care for her. She was nifteres last month.

On January 14 the North American Council for the Museum of the History of Polish Jews held an evening of theater in support of the Museum.

Last month's Glimpses column, "The Man Who Brought Judah Touro Back To Judaism," discussed how legendary philanthropist Judah Touro's return to religious observance was influenced by Gershom Kursheedt (1817-1863). Kursheedt also convinced Touro to leave considerable sums of money to support many Jewish causes.

The moment we can't remember where we put our keys, or the few seconds it takes to try to remember where we parked our car causes fear in everyone that I know who is over 50.

So many of Judaism's festivals are marked by solemnity, but Tu b'Shevat enhances our calendar with a delightful holiday that everyone can enjoy.

In my case, the answer to the above question is, "Yes, too much pressure (in my case blood pressure) led me to indulge in not so smart (actually stupid) "avoidance" behavior.

Since the end of the Shoah there has been a debate of what to do with the various death camps in Poland. Today more then 60 years after the end of the Holocaust the debate continues.

A well spouse often has so many roles and responsibilities that even those closest to her don't always see them all.

Recently, in a doctor's office, I picked up an article written in 2006 that extolled the supports given to airplane travelers needing assistance when they fly.

Polish writer Henryk Halkowski, z"l, one of Poland's most notable contemporary Jewish personalities, died suddenly on January 1, just days after celebrating his 57th birthday.

For me, the moments before sundown every Friday evening are like a "mini" Yom Kipper.

Last week I wrote that what we say to others, and the way we say it, might evoke emotions in our listeners that may or may not be what we intend.