8 Tips to Move Gratitude from Attitude to Action
As Thanksgiving approaches, we turn our attention to the concept of gratitude, its importance as a Jewish value and ways to nurture it in our families on an ongoing basis. The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat hatov, which literally means, “recognizing the good.” This concept evokes the popular notion of an “attitude of gratitude,” […] Learn More ›
Dear beloved children, I am your teacher, and you are mine.
Dear beloved children, Our journey began here where I sat amongst the floating papers, scattered staples, the books and the toys. I looked around the room with great intention and immense joy. I pictured where the new friendships would bud, where your inquisitive questions might be inspired and where in this space you might reach […] Learn More ›
Coping With First Day Jitters: Not Just for Kids!
For me, the first day of work always comes with anticipation. What will it be like? Will everyone like me? Will anyone talk to me? Will I miss my old friends? Will people want to work with me? I can tell you thinking about my first day made me nervous. The bags under my eyes were definitely visual proof! One of the […] Learn More ›
The Gift of “What If?”
When I began my JCC journey back in the 90’s as the front desk girl at Mayer Kaplan JCC, I was in college and had no idea what to be when I grew up. I changed my mind so many times….what if I became a lawyer, social worker, pediatrician, comedian, (I think it’s not too […] Learn More ›
Mommy Brain: Is it a thing?
I’m convinced I have the beginnings of dementia. I stay up late at night looking up the symptoms. No joke. My father died of a rare related illness, and I seriously can’t kick the feeling that something is wrong. I stop mid-sentence and ask others to remind me of what I was just saying. If […] Learn More ›
A Special Saturday Night
They say, “Home is where the Heart is,” and at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Chicago, hearts are not only evident in their logo but found in much of the artwork and murals displayed around the building. For those families residing at the Ronald McDonald House, their hearts are fragile, hopeful, full of optimism […] Learn More ›