Heart of the Matter

Birthday for the Bereaved

by Sherri Lederman Mandell

The mother of a terror victim grapples with a meaningful way to commemorate her son's birthday.

When Loss and Celebration Collide

by Judy Gruen

A mother's passing and a son's bar mitzvah create an emotional whirlwind when both run into each other.

Something You Already Know

by Sarah Shapiro

The world is divided into two kinds of people: those who fear getting older and those who do not.

Father's Day and Raw Eggs

by Jenna Tasky

Memories from age 8 shed light on a deep spiritual truth: You will be judged the way you judge others.

Living Here

by Sarah Shapiro

On a bus in Jerusalem, all eyes followed the girl who suddenly broke down and cried.

The Joys (?) of Passover Cleaning

by Emuna Braverman

It is possible not only to enjoy Passover cleaning, but to find it to be the most meaningful aspect of holiday preparation.

Sundays!!

by Emuna Braverman

I don't know about you, but keeping my kids happy on Sundays is a major challenge.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

by Emuna Braverman

A child's perspective is clear and pure, unclouded by "experience" and cynicism. If we allow ourselves, we can learn much from a child's wide-eyed view of life.

Why I Send My Kids to Day School

by Eric Simon

Why is someone like me, staunchly Reform and secular, sending my kids to an Orthodox Jewish day school?

Not Another Parenting Class!

by Emuna Braverman

Do we really need another parenting class? Isn't it enough to just follow our instincts?

Love Unconditional

by Jenna Tasky

"I could always tell my parents about mistakes I made because no matter what, I knew they would always love me."

The Jewish Woman's Regret Chart

by Yaffa Ganz

Alphabetically arranged for easy reference.

My Son's Bar Mitzvah

by Emuna Braverman

"It's not about the bills, it's not about the bills," intones the mother, as the family gets revved up planning a meaningful Bar Mitzvah experience for the first born son.

Circus, Circus

by Emuna Braverman

A visit to Las Vegas shows up the seductiveness of illusion, and reinforces that there is no place like home.

The Problem of Raising Typical Kids

by Emuna Braverman

Parents of kids who fight, forget their bathing suit and crumple their schoolwork sometimes need to be reminded that their kids are "normal."

The Restorative Power of Kindness

by Emuna Braverman

We read inspirational books to reassure ourselves that kind and caring people still exist. Yet, so easily, we could be one of them.

The Winning Team

by Emuna Braverman

Little league has a bad rap -- frustrated coaches, over-invested parents and damaged kids -- but it is possible for it to generate a healthy Jewish experience.

Independence Day

by Emuna Braverman

A child's first driving lesson sends her mother into a panic.

Summer In the City

by Emuna Braverman

Call me Scrooge. Call me the Grinch. I hate (or rather, as we say around our house, I'm not fond of) the summer.

Material Girl

by Emuna Braverman

I was flipping through one of those women's magazines that no one ever admits to reading when an ad caught my eye.

Two and One-Half Hours a Day

by Emuna Braverman

Carpooling may be a nuisance, but it shows your children you truly care about their education.

Who Comes First -- Your Spouse or Your Children?

by Emuna Braverman

Children will go on to forge lives of their own, but the relationship with your spouse is forever. It fosters growth like no other relationship can.

Letting Go: Notes From a Mother

by Rebbetzin Chana Heller

As a teenage daughter leaves home, one mother panics, takes stock and lets go.

Facing the World: A Daughter's Relection

by Dena Heller

As she crosses the threshold from her teens into adulthood, a young woman takes stock of who she has to thank for her confidence and love of life.

A Weighty Issue

by Emuna Braverman

An obsession with dieting is not a Torah value, but neither is preoccupation with food. The challenge is striking a balance in today's fat-conscious world.