February is Jewish disabilities awareness and inclusion month (JDAIM). Substance abuse and addiction, including alcohol and other drugs and chemicals, is very much a disability and as such, should also be discussed this month.

Lisa Lisser is a Jewish educator working toward a certificate in spiritual

It’s a given that things don’t always go right for an organizer. Sometimes deadlines are missed, service men don’t show up or, God forbid, fragile items chip or break. That’s why professional organizers take out insurance policies. I always want to accentuate the positive, so this column is dedicated to the moments

When I hold my baby granddaughter, I quite naturally break into a round of the Yiddish nursery rhyme Patshe, Patshe Kikelekh. Seeing her delight in the tune, I cannot help but wonder, “When did I become my mother?”

As my daughter-in-law walked through the back door after a couple of

(Courtesy of Recovery at Crossroads) When speaking to people in long-term recovery from an alcohol-use disorder and their families, you hear the heartbreak of active alcoholism as well as the joy to be found on the road to recovery.

Alcoholism is a disease. Because of its devastating impact on

Dana is a 24-year-old woman who is dating seriously. She tells her good friend Arielle about her upcoming plans for engagement. Arielle is concerned that Dana is in an unhealthy relationship. She wants to be supportive but doesn’t know how to help her friend. Arielle wants Dana to know “I’m here for you,” and maintain open

In January we may understandably feel tired of the cold temperatures, the many hours of darkness and, some years more than others, shoveling snow. Yet we may also feel anticipation towards our future as we plan our yeshiva-week vacations, Super Bowl parties or spa retreats. At any rate, January is a time to

“V’asita hayashar v’hatov b’einei Hashem.”

“You shall do what is right and what is good in the eyes of Hashem…”

Last time we learned about the concept of lifnim mishurat hadin, going beyond the letter of the law, or doing the more-than-right thing as

While every family’s meals are unique, the key ingredient to a successful meal (aside from delicious food) is to have all participants feel included and involved, in a warm, relaxed and enjoyable environment. Interactions around the table can include discussion, telling jokes and riddles, singing zemirot, sharing divrei Torah, discussing

What do our kids really need? Do they need to go to Harvard? Do they need to have the coolest sneakers? Do they need to be the most popular?

If you’re like me, you probably obsessed over their needing everything, from the best education right down to the coolest sneakers. I mean, can you imagine what

Part 2

In Part 1 we explored why parents may yell at their kids and why yelling can be a problem. Part 2 offers solutions for how to stop yelling.

How to stop yelling at your kids:

1. Get used to taking your emotional

Parents are afraid that if their child is not doing well in school, that they will not succeed in life. Kid hasn’t made friends in the first week of first grade? She’ll end up a loner. Doesn’t get fifth grade math? He’ll never get into college. Can’t make the grade? She’s doomed to failure, he’ll be a loser. We know

A few weeks ago my daughter and her husband had a baby girl. She is, Baruch Hashem, our first grandchild. My husband and I are walking on air. For a too-short week and a half I had the awesome opportunity to help out with our newborn, including night duty to help my daughter get some well-deserved sleep.