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Play is a big part of childhood. In school, as well as at home, play has traditionally been the gateway for learning and one way for children to find a sense of individuality within their networks of peers and adults.

Now that the kids are back in school, what changes do you need to make to your home to accommodate the new academic year? Your children have grown in size, and their maturity level has grown as well. This may require a shift in the space for everyone, because they have new educational needs.

The dipping of apples in honey representing hope for a sweet new year is a Rosh Hashanah tradition. And with the growing popularity of eating local and organic, the options for the sweet bee’s nectar on your table have expanded exponentially. Now, in addition to the standard supermarket offerings, there are all kinds of varieties found at farmers markets and independent grocers, as well as through independent purveyors. So how to choose?

The year Doris Kahn was born, 1914, World War I erupted. A year before the end of that war, women won the right to vote in New York, where Kahn was born. Three years later, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote.

Since the High Holidays are early this year, the idea of a lighter meal may be more appealing than roasting chickens or braising briskets.

A rabbi’s work is never done, and that’s especially true for High Holiday sermons, which they can spend as much as a year preparing.

When I grew up, it was considered elegant to buy desserts at bakeries.

When my two brothers and I were in elementary school, our family always ate weekday dinners together. Everyone in the family had a chance to talk about problems, successes and minutia of the day. My parents insisted that if we wanted to be listened to, we had to listen to everyone else, including them. My parents created an environment conducive to sincere communication. They knew that if they wanted their children to listen to them, they needed to listen to us.

Ask a teenager whether they want to sleep a little bit longer, and they’ll happily turn around without a sound and crawl back into their cave of 500 thread count sheets.

Dr. Ron Barnes wanted to unite his mother and aunt under one roof. As Holocaust survivors in their 90s, and not able to get out much to visit one another, he knew that living together would bring them companionship and great joy.

Ezra Sherman witnessed some of the 20th century’s most transformational moments.

In 1975, who would have predicted that the words of Harry Wayne Casey would be the best advice for healthy aging? You might know the 67-year-old Casey better as KC from KC and the Sunshine Band. Back when he was only 24, his mantra was, “Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight.”

Parents worry about their children pretty much nonstop. The apprehension usually skyrockets after teens pass their driver’s test and then can pilot a vehicle solo.

I have always been uncomfortable with the term “downsizing.” It has always had a negative connotation for me. It’s really about change and what you want to do with the change. I believe this is a time in life to begin anew, to reflect on where life has taken us and how we can create a setting to live in that is more suitable — a space that speaks of the changes that have occurred and a time to examine what is working and what isn’t.

Condenser

The Valley is firmly in the grip of triple-digit temperatures. So now is the is the time resilient Arizonans can experience many of the beautiful luxury resorts the Valley has to offer — in some cases, at steep discounts. Here are a few new summer resort packages you and your family can enjoy:

I began with the best of intentions. For years, I made rich meals for Shabbat dinners all year-round, but in the summer, even with air conditioning, I became overheated preparing hearty food, which my family and friends didn’t feel like eating on sweltering days.

As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, we take a look back at the news that impacted the valley’s Jewish community and tracked its growth. Seventy years offers a lot of news to choose from. Hopefully these picks will surprise some, bring a wave of nostalgia for others and remind readers that the Valley’s Jewish community is getting stronger by the decade.

A thriving community newspaper mirrors the heart and soul of the readers it serves. It delivers accurate, timely reporting, analysis and commentary. It engages, informs and inspires readers. It creates a record of community life.

When buying a home or refinancing your current home loan, there are some seemingly harmless, normal activities that can derail the process. Here is a list of things you should not do without first consulting your loan officer:

As temperatures soar and the daylight greets me earlier every morning, I am overcome with a sense of optimism. The presence of hearty desert flora growing toward the light is my affirmation that longer days hold great promise for those willing to embrace this gift.

This month marks two years since my bombshell cancer diagnosis. In the immediate aftermath, I worried about how to tell the kids — or, rather, how not to tell them. But secrecy proved exhausting, added tension and compelled the kids to concoct their own explanations for closed-door talks, post-crying eyes and vague “appointments.” My preschooler was fairly clueless, but my preteen suspected I was pregnant, and my teenager concluded we were divorcing. Clearly, things weren’t handled well.

With triple-digit temperatures already hitting the area, it’s time to find indoor, air-conditioned activities that work for the entire family. Here are just a few:

This is the time of year when Arizona homeowners start preparing for summer — new barbecue, patio furniture or cushions for the chairs; umbrellas to shade the furniture; maybe even repaving the patio or buying a new pool pump. Almost everything is designed to provide more comfort in the great outdoors.

Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, according to the National Council on Aging. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports one in four Americans aged 65 and older fall each year, making falls the leading cause of injuries for older adults. From falls, older adults risk a range of injuries including broken bones, sprains, cuts, bruises and other kinds of pain and soreness.