by Nina Fondiller Woldin On Thursday night I wrapped up a wonderful 10XSTRONGER virtual class, marking the end of this session. The group included both familiar faces and new members, and we shared our experiences of what it means to be recognized as Jews today. The next morning, I visited the Anne Frank exhibit at Continue Reading »
By Rabbi Debra Smith Every day I wrestle with my personal angel. She is the angel of Patience, savlanut, and she is with me as I struggle through my frustrations of daily living: traffic delays, extended waiting on “hold” for business calls, technological challenges with all of my devices, interpersonal annoyances of many kinds, broken Continue Reading »
by Nina Fondiller Woldin What are the most transformative moments that you remember? Life cycle transformations are referred to as liminal moments because we emerge from them in some way permanently changed and transformed. The planning and preparation leading up to these liminal moments push us to acknowledge and find meaning in the transition as Continue Reading »
By Michalee Merritt I heard about Chai Mitzvah years ago. It took me some time to decide that I wanted to bring the idea to my synagogue and friends. It was the kind of program that interested me, and I liked the easy-to-use sourcebooks with supplemental materials. Questions for discussion were right there for us Continue Reading »
by Nina Fondiller Woldin “Would you like to have more children?” my obstetrician asked me at a checkup decades ago. I thought about it seriously. My three girls were then 5, 10, and 14. “If I had unlimited time and unlimited money, I think I would,” was my answer. “Oh,” replied my doctor, “then you Continue Reading »
by Rabbi Debra Smith As I enter my 73rd year today, I am reflecting back on the trajectory of my life in the Jewish world. Years ago, my mother gave me a mug that I still have. It says, “Love what you do, do what you love.“ That quote has shaped my professional Jewish journey Continue Reading »
by Michalee Merritt On June 17th, I was honored along with my husband Mark at our synagogue. We were being honored for our deep commitment to the Greater Hartford Jewish Community. I am not going to list all the Jewish organizations that we’ve been involved with. Instead, I am going to tell you why! During Continue Reading »
By Audrey Lichter I have spent most of the last 2 months 12 miles off the coast of Rhode Island on Block Island. This island community boasts over 20,000 people during the summer and fewer than 1,200 over the late fall through the winter and into the early spring. Over 5 ferries stream into the Continue Reading »
By Nina Fondiller Woldin It was Thursday night, and we were just wrapping up a wonderful 10XSTRONGER virtual class. The group included both familiar faces and new members, and we were sharing our experiences of what it means to be recognized as Jews today. Some individuals wore Jewish symbols openly, while others discreetly placed the Continue Reading »
by Rabbi Deb Smith This past week, I had the pleasure of attending a Jewish Journaling Group for the first time. The group is sponsored by The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, New Jersey. This is a wonderful museum that I toured last summer. It features exhibits, photos, and memorabilia from throughout Jewish history Continue Reading »
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