L’Shanah Tova
It was only one week ago that we paused to honor the 16th anniversary of September 11th. Sixteen years. So much about our complex world has changed and yet the challenges we face as a Jewish community are really no different today. This year, we have been reminded (time and time again) that bigotry and […] Learn More ›
Celebrating Jewish Traditions at College: A Guide for Parents
Raising four kids, the years are marked by the predictable cycle of new school shoes, report cards and packing for summer camp. With my first beginning college this week, I’m learning about a new set of dates that rule the calendar. Decision Day. Summer Orientation. Move-in Day. When we turned the car around a few […] Learn More ›
Building Friends For Life: A Journey To Cuba
Thank you JCC 20s & 30s for helping me connect with so many interesting individuals with unique points of view. As we sat in a paradiso, toasting each other and having dinner where the Obamas ate, I was struck with a profound sense of purpose to help each individual present at that table— and the […] Learn More ›
BreakAway: An Extraordinary Week
Life is meant for good friends and great adventures. And, sometimes, you have to break out of the ordinary to find both. Enter BreakAway, JCC Chicago’s Spring Break – Away program for Chicago area teens. Two weeks ago, 70 teens from throughout Chicagoland traveled to JCC Camp Chi and the Perlstein Retreat Center for an entirely […] Learn More ›
The Deeper Meaning of Passover
I must admit, as a child, Passover was my least favorite Jewish holiday. As a carb-lover, bagels, noodles, sticky white rice and cereal, were a large part of my diet. Abstaining from those foods was a serious challenge. I was the youngest at our Seder so the mere thought of chanting the four questions in […] Learn More ›
The Power of Asking Questions
Passover Reflection from Alan Sataloff It’s often easy to take our freedom for granted. We go about our busy lives and we don’t often stop and think about the privilege of living in a free country. Next week, when we gather around our Seder tables for Passover, we will reflect on our ancestors’ escape from […] Learn More ›