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Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting (Other) What it takes to be a parent

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CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations- you're a parent. Now what? As you look at the helpless infant resting in your arms, your mind wanders towards your vision for your child- the kind of person you hope you she will grow to be, your fondest dreams for his future. Now you face that most awesome privilege and responsibility, dete... More..

Religion & Spirituality > Judaism Understanding Jewish wedding rituals

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Genesis 2:18 says, "It is not good for humanity to be alone." We are designed to long for loving companionship, to cling to each other and become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). The Hebrew word for marriage is kiddushin from the root kadosh, meaning holy. In Judaism, we sanctify our relationship through the marriage ceremony. A ... More..

Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Soldiers going off to war

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I have served in the United States Army Reserve for more than half my life- 26 years. During that time I have NEVER volunteered for a job. It's a known cultural stereotype- in the Army you don't volunteer. But this past January I received a call to which I couldn't say no. So why was this mission different from all other mis... More..

Politics, News & Issues > Soldiers & Veterans Testimonies of US veterans

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Before I deployed to Afghanistan this past December and January, I was under the mistaken impression that the military situation there was "under control." My family was relieved that I would be in a place they perceived to be safe, as opposed to my visit to Iraq last Passover. I have returned from my Chanukah mission sadden... More..

Religion & Spirituality > Judaism Jewish understanding of God

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There has been precious little good news reported in the world over the past year, since we gathered here a year ago to look without and within. But there was one story which gave me great solace in my ongoing faith journey. News reports revealed that Mother Teresa of Calcutta had written in her diary in 1959, "In my soul I ... More..

Religion & Spirituality > Judaism The sequence of holy days in Jewish life and practice

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JEWISH CALENDAR Rosh HaShana may be the first day of the new year, but in our zeal to emphasize our observance and our excitement regarding the opportunities which lie ahead, we tend to focus so much on Rosh HaShana that we lose sight of the entire cycle of holidays which follows. The joke is told of the Rabbi who concluded ... More..

Religion & Spirituality > Judaism Judaism: Rosh Hashanah

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Rosh HaShanah, Healing and Forgiveness In traditional congregations it is customary to don a shroud for services on Yom Kippur. To the best of my knowledge, Judaism is the only religion in which we rehearse our own death in this graphic way. Imagine coming to synagogue and seeing your friends and loved ones dressed in their ... More..

Religion & Spirituality > Judaism Reflections: Hanukkah and the President

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Here's a phone message that's guaranteed to get a return call: "This is (Ploni) calling from the White House Chief of Staff's office. Please call back when you have a moment." It was a month or so ago that I received such a call, setting into motion a whirlwind of activity. As the fortuitous nature of events unfolded, a memb... More..

Religion & Spirituality > Judaism Jewish customs and traditions 101

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The Upshernish is the traditional ceremony for cutting a boy's hair for the first time when he reaches the age of three and is introduced to the study of Torah. It often takes place on the holiday of Lag B'Omer. Below is a suggested ceremony for this occasion. UPSHERNISH CEREMONY "The child grew and was weaned and Abraham he... More..

Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Death of a friend

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Following a 2 year struggle with breast cancer, my beloved friend, Rabbi Devora Bartnoff, passed away at the age of 44, leaving behind her husband, Rabbi Mordecai Liebling and their four children Reena, age 12, Yoni, age 9, Lior, age 6, and Anna, only 4. I met Devora over 20 years ago, when I was just entering rabbinical sch... More..

Bonnie Koppell

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Articles Written: 11

Recent articles

1. Judaism: Rosh Hashanah
2. Inside view of military personnel in Afghanistan
3. Jewish understanding of God
4. Jewish customs and traditions 101
5. Memoirs: Death of a friend
6. Understanding Jewish wedding rituals
7. Reflections: Hanukkah and the President
8. Testimonies of US veterans
9. Memoirs: Soldiers going off to war
10. What it takes to be a parent

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