Only in recent months did I hear the phrase, FOMO, i.e., fear of missing out. I was relating at Camp Newman that I missed the field trip of my eighth and ninth graders to a high ropes course. It was the first day and I was acclimating to my new responsibilities. I was bummed to miss out on Continue Reading »
Well, soon I’ll be joining the faculty at Camp Newman. There will be the same ruah, spirit, to be sure but at a completely different location. As you know, Camp Newman burned down in the wildfires that ravaged Northern CA last fall. They will rebuild but in the meantime, camp is at Cal State Martime. It’s a bit north of Continue Reading »
There is so much beauty to enjoy living in Southern California. We can almost always enjoy being outdoors. We feel the sun’s warmth on our faces, smell fragrant herbs and flowers, see ragged mountains in the distance, and experience the cool waters of the ocean. Going outside and appreciating nature as we move our bodies Continue Reading »
I was joined by Gale Brooks, Gayle Chait, Kathleen Greenough, Anne Hoogasian, Lynne Horn, Judy Lorber, Cathy & Charlie Niederman, Florence Sudakow, Christine Taxier, Eileen Tobey, and Jackie & Rachel Wiggins. We explored the roots of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in our holy land. Traversing the countryside, we learned about the immense efforts for coexistence, tolerance, and the pursuit of peace. How amazing Continue Reading »
What a great joy it was to celebrate Charlie Niederman’s Bar Mitzvah on March 24, 2018 or 8th day of Nisan 5778 on Shabbat Hagadol. Some of you are aware that Jews can have second Bar or Bat Mitzvah at the age of eighty three. This is because Psalms 90:10 states, “The span of our life is seventy years.” For those who live beyond seventy, it Continue Reading »
My heart is broken with the shooting in Florida on February 14. The voices of the teens who survived this terrible shooting has shamed me. I am scared that its just a matter of time before there is a shooting in one of our local schools. It is just a matter of time before I have to do a funeral for a member of your Continue Reading »
There is no doubt that of all our festivals, Purim is the most fun. What other holiday can kids as well as adults dress up in costume, act irreverently, laugh, get a little wild, and for adults to have the Mitzvah of drinking alcohol? I’m not joking; it is literally a Mitzvah, a commandment, to drink on Purim so much that one doesn’t know the Continue Reading »
It has been known for some time that youth who attend Jewish overnight camp end up with stronger Jewish identities well into adulthood. They are more likely to light candles for Shabbat and Hanukkah, have a connection to Israel, donate to charity, attend synagogue, and participate in Federation. Jewish camp is great for the future Continue Reading »
Hmmmmm, there’s something about the aroma wafting through the room as latkes are frying in oil. The rich fragrance brings with it a warmth and reminder of a good meal to come. For Ashkenazi Jews (those of East European descent), we eat potato pancakes called latkes during the 8 nights of Hanukkah. Sephardic Jews, on the other hand, eat jelly filled doughnuts called sufganiot. Eating foods with Continue Reading »
…and learn about its role as the birthplace of the three main world religions April 12, 2018- April 22, 2018 “Every time I go to Israel it is in many ways like going home, it is welcoming and comfortable to be in the only country where what we do as Jews is the norm and Continue Reading »