Bullies in Senior Living Communities
What Happens When Bullies Grow Up and Move to Senior Living “I haven’t seen you in the dining room for ages,” Selma said as she rushed to greet her neighbor, Betty who lived on the on the same floor in their senior living complex. Betty wrung her hands and said, “I’ve been eating in my […]
Parents Outliving Children
When Parents Outlive Their Children – A New Dimension to the Tragedy What Our Traditions Teach Us about Growing Old When Bernie celebrated his ninety-seventh birthday he was surrounded by friends and family – all but one. Bernie’s daughter, Marsha was unable to make the trip from Boston to her father’s retirement home in Florida. […]
Sex and Seniors
Sex and Seniors – The Jewish Perspective Daniel Reingold, president and CEO of River Spring Health, the organization that operates the Hebrew Home of Riverdale, NY, is credited with developing a policy that highlights an important aspect of senior living. In an article titled “The Jewish Nursing Home Where You’re Never Too Old for Sex,” […]
Conversion in English & Italian
Jewish Conversion Program Combines Technology and Tradition to Bring B’nei Anusim Back Home “I researched my family name and found out that its origin is Sephardic. This was one more confirmation that a Jewish soul was present in my family, confirming that my interest in Judaism is a true feeling to get back to my […]
Ice Cream and Jews
Ice Cream’s Jewish Connection It’s the season to enjoy summertime’s favorite treat – ice cream. It’s cool, it’s delicious and it’s Jewish! Thanks to an article by Joan Nathan (Tablet Magazine) we can start by introducing Reuben Mattus who began his career in the ice cream business in the 1920s when he was only ten […]
Jewish/Interfaith Weddings in Gorgeous Greece
Your Jewish or Jewish Interfaith Wedding in Gorgeous Greece For several years now I have had the opportunity of sharing the joys of Judaism on the Greek island of Rhodes. The oldest synagogue in all of Greece, built in 1577, is located there and the Jewish sites on the island, including a unique Jewish museum […]
Pittsburgh Massacre Thoughts
A Pittsburgh-born Rabbi’s Thoughts on the Pittsburgh Massacre It started with pennies. At first my dear friend’s teenage daughter didn’t take it seriously. After all, the boy who was throwing pennies at her couldn’t even get the insult right. “He’s calling me a KITE,” she said. “That’s how stupid he is. He doesn’t even know […]
Political Sermons
Political Sermons Can Destroy the Spirituality of the High Holy Days “Everybody’s got something to say about politics – at the office, school, in the dry clean and at the grocery store. You can’t get away from it. Except on Shabbat, which I now make at home. After more than two months of political sermons, […]
Elderly Isolation
Elderly Isolation It’s Bad for Mom But Worse for Dad “We’re so worried about Dad.” That’s how Karen began her email to me. “He’s so lonely and my brother and I don’t know what to do.” Karen’s father, Sid, lived alone in the condo he once shared with his beloved Jennie, who passed away nine […]
Jewish Conversion In A Modern Age
I’m about to marry “Jewish” – should I convert? Not long ago, in 2003 to be exact, a Sex and the City episode featured an anxious Christian, Charlotte York, beginning her journey to convert to Judaism. All set to marry Harry Goldenblatt who promised his mother that he’d marry Jewish, Charlotte hopes to make conversion […]