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FIRST PERSON | In Jewish tradition, I’m not just old — I’m wise - Muddling through Middle Age
I just celebrated my 70th birthday. The transition to a new decade is undoubtedly a milestone. You might wonder, do I have angst about aging? Well, a little. But mostly I’m looking forward to the years ahead. I got hearing aids in March. I’m currently recuperating from bunion surgery. And I have opted out of
FIRST PERSON: Tulips, inner turmoil and missing Jews on my trip to Europe - Muddling through Middle Age
Many trips to Europe are filled with exhilarating tours of castles and cathedrals, museums and moats, art and architecture. I love these trips, but during my most recent travels in March, I got stuck on two troubling topics. The first: Where are the proudly proclaimed markers of Jewish life in the great European cities? Why
FIRST PERSON: With modern medicine, I could love to 100. But do I want to? - Muddling through Middle Age
Does the thought of a super long life thrill you or chill you? Once upon a time, the idea of living to be 100 was extraordinary. Now, while hardly commonplace, it’s certainly more common and the ranks of hardy centenarians will only continue to grow as healthcare advances continue. There were nearly 600,000 centenarians worldwide
My 50-year high school reunion was strange, fun — and bittersweet – J. - Muddling through Middle Age
The number 50 has symbolic and practical significance in Jewish thought. It spans the days between the Exodus from Egypt and Shavuot, when the Torah was revealed to us at Mount Sinai. The number, in the form of 50 shekels, even addresses the financial obligations of the ketubah, marriage contract. For me, the number 50
Long Island history gone awry: the story of my not-mitzvah - Muddling through Middle Age
After 12 years of glittery Christmas trees, but no menorahs, no Shabbat candles and no Friday night services, I suddenly got religion. I wanted to become a bat mitzvah. And so, with no prior religious studies, but with all the zeal of a convert, I began my “speed” Torah and Hebrew studies for the big
FIRST PERSON: A goody two-shoes tries on a liar’s pants — and loves the fit - Muddling through Middle Age
How does the old saying go? Cheaters never prosper. Liars never win. Or is it the other way? Cheaters never win. Liars never prosper. In any case, I confess. From time to time, I lie and that’s the truth. We all know lying is wrong. Bad. Evil. “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” We are admonished
Was my 30-year-old son happy I phoned him? Of course not. - Muddling through Middle Age
I called my 30-year-old son the other day. His first words were, “What’s the matter? What’s wrong now?” Ouch! Does he perceive that I am always the bearer of bad news? Worse yet, am I always the bearer of bad news? Worst of all, is there only bad news to bear? Certainly, now that I’m
THE MATZO CHRONICLES: Misadventures of a miscreant Broadway baby - Muddling through Middle Age
It was supposed to be a great adventure. It was supposed to be great fun. And it was all to begin with me heading off to my beloved New York City for a once-in-a-lifetime, forever dreamed of special invitation to a theater workshop featuring a host of Broadway luminaries. My story began with concealment, which,
Long Island history gone awry: the story of my not-mitzvah - Muddling through Middle Age
After 12 years of glittery Christmas trees, but no menorahs, no Shabbat candles and no Friday night services, I suddenly got religion. I wanted to become a bat mitzvah. And so, with no prior religious studies, but with all the zeal of a convert, I began my “speed” Torah and Hebrew studies for the big
Was my 30-year-old son happy I phoned him? Of course not. - Muddling through Middle Age
I called my 30-year-old son the other day. His first words were, “What’s the matter? What’s wrong now?” Ouch! Does he perceive that I am always the bearer of bad news? Worse yet, am I always the bearer of bad news? Worst of all, is there only bad news to bear? Certainly, now that I’m
Broadway’s ‘Harmony’ includes origin story of San Francisco cantor - Muddling through Middle Age
Updated Dec. 27 I was in New York recently to see a jolly round of nine shows. A surprise favorite was the musical “Harmony” about the Comedian Harmonists, an internationally famous German singing group that was forced to disband because of antisemitism amid the rise of fascism before World War II. The musical, which opened
MATZO CHRONICLES: I'll use Diamond in a pinch — but Morton is the kosher salt for me - Muddling through Middle Age
I come from a long line of Morton Coarse Kosher Salt users. My mother bought it. My grandmother bought it. My sisters-in-law bought it. Even my non-Jewish mother-in-law bought the coarse kosher salt with the girl under the umbrella. But recently, I couldn’t find the familiar navy box. And believe me, this multiple-market shopper/schlepper tried.
My 50-year high school reunion was strange, fun — and bittersweet – J. - Muddling through Middle Age
The number 50 has symbolic and practical significance in Jewish thought. It spans the days between the Exodus from Egypt and Shavuot, when the Torah was revealed to us at Mount Sinai. The number, in the form of 50 shekels, even addresses the financial obligations of the ketubah, marriage contract. For me, the number 50
Broadway’s ‘Harmony’ includes origin story of San Francisco cantor - Muddling through Middle Age
Updated Dec. 27 I was in New York recently to see a jolly round of nine shows. A surprise favorite was the musical “Harmony” about the Comedian Harmonists, an internationally famous German singing group that was forced to disband because of antisemitism amid the rise of fascism before World War II. The musical, which opened
A rose is a rose — unless it’s a challah - Muddling through Middle Age
My friends are all busy making plans for New Year’s Eve. But not me. I’m still savoring this year’s Jewish New Year, which was made especially sweet thanks to my non-Jewish husband. I had been feeling under the weather for a few days, and so was behind the curve in my holiday meal preparations. Come
A rose is a rose — unless it’s a challah - Muddling through Middle Age
My friends are all busy making plans for New Year’s Eve. But not me. I’m still savoring this year’s Jewish New Year, which was made especially sweet thanks to my non-Jewish husband. I had been feeling under the weather for a few days, and so was behind the curve in my holiday meal preparations. Come