Kveller
5 Ways to Raise a Jew-By-Choice
Remember those peanut butter commercials from the 90’s that told us “choosy moms choose Jif”? What does it mean to be “choosy”? Choice is not just about having options; it’s about exploring, engaging, and eventually committing to something that is meaningful.
Originally published on Kveller 6/10/2016
What Happens When a Rabbi Goes to a Guns N’ Roses Concert
I was 13 when a boy in 7th grade introduced me to the metal band Guns N’ Roses. Before long, my room was plastered with pinups from Heavy Metal magazine and Hit Parader. I was obsessed.
Originally published on Kveller 7/22/2016
So, What Exactly Is Tisha B’Av?
If you ever attended a Jewish camp, you might remember this day as one that lasted forever and left a sour taste (food pun intended) in your mouth.
Why I’ll Send My Son with Fragile X to School on Sukkot
I am sending my 5-year-old son to school on the holy days of Sukkot. It will be the first time we’ve ever done this, and the decision is killing me.
Originally published on Kveller 10/14/2016
How Headphones Literally Saved My Son with Fragile X During a Family Outing
We got out of our car at the aquarium, and before we even reached the entrance, I knew we had made a mistake.
Originally published on Kveller 1/3/2017
What a Candle, Spice Box, and Grape Juice Can Really Do for Your Family
I’ve always been a big believer in the family Shabbat experience. In our family, we light Shabbat candles together every Friday night in our dining room (a room our boys so rarely eat or play in that they actually call it the “Shabbat room” since that’s what we do there). We sing “Shabbat Shalom” and give high fives and kisses to everyone.
Originally published on Kveller 12/18/2015
My Son Has Fragile X Syndrome–And a Surprising Connection to Prayer
When my son wakes up in the morning, he immediately asks for two things. First, he needs his chart, a small white board with two strips of Velcro and tiny laminated pictures that he organizes with his morning routine. Second, he needs his “benscher book,” the once-beautiful-now-torn-and-chewed-and-duct-taped book of Jewish songs and prayers that we gave to guests at our wedding long before our son was a twinkle in my eye.
Originally published on Kveller 2/26/2015