As we move out of the mourning of Tisha B’Av, and into our preparations for the High Holy Days, we are given tools of consolation. Seven weeks to return to the world of miracles, joy, hope and possibility. Shuva is our process of return and reflection. But we may ask, how can we return after the pain of so great a loss? When loss

My earliest memory of helping anyone purge and organize their clothes closet was in 11th grade. Phylicia, one of my best friends at the time, had a bedroom closet under the eaves. On the right side of her closet was a single rod for her many clothes. Beneath the rod the ceiling angled down until the space became very narrow and the

Step # 3

Part 2

ולפני עור לא תתן מכשל

And you shall not place a stumbling block before the blind (Vayikra 19:14)

After reading the following story to my

Sometimes the scariest thing to a writer is the blank page. I learned that from Professor Toporoff, my first creative writing professor in college.

Can’t think.

Brain dumb.

Inspiration won’t come.

Last month, this column discussed the myths about legalizing marijuana, and its impact on our children. A few weeks later, we were invited to attend a local meeting (sponsored by Strive Health, a new recovery program in Bergen County), of a number of community professionals, Jewish educators, therapists, recovery specialists and a few

(BPT) Mornings can be a bit chaotic as you fight the clock to get out the door on time. This is especially true if you have a big family. Wouldn't it be nice if rather than feeling like a stressful race, your morning routine was something you actually looked forward to?

Starting your day on a high note

America has a new celebrity. Esther Wojciciki is a mother, a grandmother and an experienced educator. Her claim to fame is that all three of her daughters occupy prestigious positions in male-dominated fields: Two are CEOs of major corporations and her third daughter is a professor of pediatrics in a leading medical school. She is

After capturing a candid photo of me kneeling on his living room rug, eye level with his newborn baby, Solly, situated in her car seat, my eldest son, Judd, said, “Remember Alvie always used to say to me that Tottoo went on her hands and knees to play with me? Well I guess it runs in the family.” Based closely

Step # 3

Part 1

ולפני עור לא תתן מכשל

And you shall not place a stumbling block before the blind (Vayikra 19:14)

Q1) Why are we not permitted to offer unkosher food to a

Nobody wants to spend money on things they never use, least of all clothes that take up space in the closet and never get worn. Sometimes we purchase things either online or in a store that seem like they’re just what we need: a new pair of jeans, a blouse, or a jacket. You try to wear the new item but it doesn’t satisfy you

Step # 2

Part 2

לא תשנא את אחיך בלבבך

You shall not hate your brother in your heart (Vayikra 19:17)

When teaching Step #2 to my students, I tell

So I’ve been thinking a lot about the (upcoming) legalization of marijuana and what it means for our kids.

Many of you readers know that we [the Levensons] lost our son Eric, z”l, to suicide in February of 2016, at the age of 28, after a long battle with mental illness. While Eric did not