Summer camp normally conjures images of songs by the fire, swimming and games, bunkmates and camp counselors and maybe even some pranks and high jinks. But this is not a normal year. At a time when kids’ attention would ordinarily turn to summer vacation and which camp they’ll attend, now th…
Summer camp normally conjures images of songs by the fire, swimming and games, bunkmates and camp counselors and maybe even some pranks and high jinks. But this is not a normal year. At a time when kids’ attention would ordinarily turn to summer vacation and which camp they’ll attend, now th…
Debbie Greenberg’s son, Aaron Mazer, was diagnosed with celiac disease at the age of 17.
At Passover, we recall the 10 plagues, recite the four questions, have two seders and leave one cup empty for Elijah.
Like many modern women, Michelle Azar Aaron juggles many balls.
When it comes to Passover, the seder gets all the press. And for good reason — it is kind of the Super Bowl of holiday meals. But there are a number of other meals that must be consumed during the holiday or we would get awfully hungry.
Passover desserts used to be a challenge. How do you make something everyone will love without using flour? Fortunately, with more and more people eliminating gluten from their diets, a whole slew of recipes has dominated the food blogs in the past number of years. There are entire cookbooks…
Campers have a lot of opinions when it comes to technology: why TikTok is better than Vine, which filter is best on Instagram and what the best apps are. Parents have opinions, too: whether that screen will mush brains, the need to reach their child 24/7 and their child’s independence.
This month, just in time for everyone staying inside, HBO debuted a new six-part miniseries sure to resonate both with older Jewish readers, as well as those occupied and preoccupied with the current state of U.S. politics.
No Jewish prayer is more central to our liturgy than the Shema, the quintessential statement of faith that reminds us of the covenant we share with God. Each morning and each evening, when we lay down and when we rise, in the waters of the mikvah as one converts, at the end of the day and on…
I love decorating from the heart, and my mind often turns to using candles throughout the year, because they are so versatile and nostalgic. They can be placed in unexpected places to transform the space.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, and while no cancer can be completely avoidable, the worst consequences of colorectal cancer are preventable if caught early enough.
As we age, we often look for ways to remain active and youthful. Deep down we know that a fountain of youth doesn’t exist, but that doesn’t stop our quest for ways to look and feel younger and more vital.
A friend of mine emailed me an article entitled, “How to Stay Young.” In it the unknown writer says, “Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, and hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.” At the end he adds, “Life is not measured by the …
Over 30 million Americans own a business. Small businesses are viewed as a way for entrepreneurial individuals to devote their time and talents to a project they feel passionate about, as a way to take charge of your own schedule, and as a way to make additional income. Whether it is your si…
For many students, taking a second language used to mean choosing between French and Spanish and even then not until high school. These days, however, more students have been signing up for Hebrew in public and charter schools — and at much younger ages.
Braid, half-up or chignon? Vintage-style curls or smooth waves? Wreaths, tiaras, hair pins or leaf crowns? And you thought choosing the groom was the hardest wedding-related decision you’d have to make.
There are hundreds of amusement and theme parks in the United States. There’s the Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana; Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd, Minnesota; and, if you’re so inclined, there’s Dollywood, the Dolly Parton-themed amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
The cost of a wedding can be very expensive. For those who are footing the bill, figuring out how to pay for it and how much to budget for all its myriad costs can potentially add a lot of stress to newly formed relationships.
Many couples in the Greater Phoenix area can give themselves the best wedding present of all — the chance to learn about marriage before stepping under the chuppah.
When I was working on my latest Aging Today column, it occurred to me that I wished I could write again about women and heart disease — that’s how important it is for women to have all the right information. The more women know, the better the chance they’ll be able to recognize it and corre…
Everyone has times in their life when it seems difficult or impossible to change or manage a situation. What is considered a crisis to one person may be manageable to another.
Ed. note: Recently, we sent a query to Hospice of the Valley asking if there might be a volunteer in the Shabbat Blessings program interested in writing an article about their experience serving Jewish patients and families at such a difficult time of life. Two of the volunteers responded qu…
There has been more poetry and songs written about romance, love and sweethearts than any other subject. It is not hard to understand why two people fall under the spell of romance. Personally speaking, I have vibrant memories of my first loves going back to grade school.
The right selection of flowers can elevate any event, and artificial floral arrangements have recently emerged as a popular design trend.
Q: My husband and I just purchased a new home. We quickly painted the downstairs; it has a casual look with yellow and burnt orange. The couches are covered in blue denim fabric.
On Dec. 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act. The act is considered the most impactful legislation affecting individual retirement accounts in decades; it has many changes pertaining to small business owners, IRA holders and IRA benef…
A number of years ago, as conversations about gender and school-bathroom usage popped up across North America, we at Camp Havaya considered how to respond in accordance with our values. We decided that it wasn’t a discussion we could have in the abstract; we knew we would have to dive in wit…
There are a lot of factors seniors take into consideration when looking for a care facility: cost, proximity to family, food, religious services. But seniors who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender face additional obstacles; namely figuring out if a home is safe for them to live as the…
When my grandparents retired to Florida full time, they did not join a synagogue. Active and committed Jews for their entire lives, they just didn’t expect to live all that long. Somehow they assumed that they would enjoy a few quiet years, and then quietly pass on. As the decades accumulate…
Are you that person who woke up on Wednesday morning, Jan. 1, and said to yourself, “Is it really the year 2020? Wasn’t the Y2K scare just yesterday?” The years, and certainly the decades, keep rolling on. It reminds me of a quote from the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Ferris, played by …
There is nothing more important to a grandparent than getting to spend time with the grandkids. And there is nothing that can derail that quality time faster than when Grandma or Grandpa is feeling under the weather.
Ritualwell.org Managing Editor Hila Ratzabi never saw anything like it before: One day while browsing Facebook, she came across a post by a man looking for retailers to carry his latest invention — a 20-sided dreidel.
Many people don’t use their dining rooms often, which makes them ideal to be designed more outrageously. Definitely express your personal style.
Each and every December, the Jews of America hunker down for another month of Christmas cheer. We may not necessarily want to know every word to “All I Want for Christmas is You,” yet it is unavoidable; and try as we may to deny it, we have to admit that an Advent calendar full of chocolates…
Ten years ago, Joseph Tsiyoni — an inventor, businessman and author who lives in the Greater Phoenix area — became disabled due to a total knee replacement. He lost the ability to walk any farther than a short distance and found himself experiencing newfound challenges with mobility.
Joseph Tsiyoni with the PrideR scooter.
It’s the holidays, and beyond the planning and excitement surrounding family gatherings, gift buying and giving and simply celebrating, many Americans take time to volunteer.
It’s the time of year when gift-giving is driven more by motivation than obligation.
’Tis the season for tzedakah. Whether for year-end tax planning, or a desire to help those less fortunate, December is a great time for charity.
Holidays present opportunities for families to share traditions, activities and memories. Though fun, things can get overwhelming. Parents of typical children, along with those with special needs, may find such events to be very stressful — and even avoid them. Others may choose to have one …
For some people, nothing says the start of the holiday season better than classic movies, with perhaps “It’s a Wonderful Life” taking the honor of the most popular.
It’s the time of the year to celebrate the festive holiday of Chanukah. My memories go back to my youngest years, maybe when I was 5 to 6 years old. And what I remember never left my mind or heart.
I spent the morning wandering down by the crashing surf along the Moroccan coast and through the medina alleyways of Rabat, feeding the stray cats.
Any time of year is the right time to ensure all guests are comfortable in your home. I’m not suggesting you buy a new memory foam, pillowtop mattress, but rather look at your space and your offerings, and do your best to provide a welcoming environment for all of your guests.
The holidays are a time to enjoy family, gift giving, parties and great food. However, for some, the holiday season is far from being the most wonderful time of the year. Coined the “holiday blues,” this condition should not be taken lightly.
More than 700 letters and pictures for lone soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces will make their way to Israel this month as part of the East Valley JCC’s Lone Soldier Project Hanukkah Greeting Letter Campaign 2019.
The luggage-handlers at Ben-Gurion International Airport saw an increase in the number of bicycles coming in and out, as an expected 500 participants from 12 countries arrived to participate in the five-day “Wheels of Love” 2019 charity bike ride, with as many as 125 riders joining from the …
Philanthropy isn’t a topic of conversation that necessarily has a right and wrong answer. Starting a dialogue with a teen with the question, “If you could donate to any organization to help solve a problem or issue, where would you direct that gift?” opens the door to a wonderful conversatio…
Shrinking social circles, life changes, kids and grandchildren living across the country … it all often leads to isolation for older adults, which is especially poignant around the holidays when many seniors feel heightened levels of loneliness.
The Jewish War Veterans of the USA is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a contest. It is holding a logo design competition with a reward of $500 and a feature in the next issue of its publication, “Jewish Veteran.” Submissions, welcome from any individual over 18, must be emailed to Chr…
