Jewish Single Mom By Choice

This week has become a series of good-byes, from some of her teachers and her after-school activities, and one of our goldfish. Although she understands that the Summer vacation does eventually c...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/06/goodbye-and-farewell.html

The heat in Jerusalem for the past two weeks has been unbearable.  I had gotten to the point where I was prepared to chop all my hair myself, and so I called my stylist two days ago, in the midd...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/06/summer-haircut.html

This morning in synagogue (the one we like, finally) it was my turn to help with the youth group.  For the most part, it involved gathering about 45 kids into the room, and toward the end, pouri...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/06/supermommy.html

Mommy, when you get married... I am not really dating anyone seriously right now. I know, it's a theoretical questions. Okay. So, when you get married, you will have another baby, right?�...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/06/love-and-marriage.html

(Random musings after a long holiday weekend.) I believe in reincarnation, though I have not put too much thought into who Raphaela might have been in a previous life.  This weekend she was pl...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/06/post-shavuot-report.html

I dedicate this post today to my first born, Harry The Highlander.  At the honorable age of 14 and a half (that's almost 80 in human years), this cat has taught me patience, and how to love with...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-visit-to-vet.html

Throughout this year, Raphaela and her classmates have been learning the stories of Genesis in depth.  Her teacher challenges them to think about the emotional implications of the stories as wel...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/06/chumash-party.html

Yesterday Raphaela had a day off from school; yes, yet another Jewish holiday in the series for the month of May.  We met up with cousins in the morning for breakfast, and then took advantage of...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/05/money-matters.html

This past Friday, as I prepared for Shabbat, Raphaela came into the kitchen and said, "Mommy, I can help you today. I do have two free hands." ==================================================...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/05/this-past-friday-as-i-prepared-for.html

My mother had me at the age of 21, I don't know if she was ready to be a parent, but that's just what people did then.  My mother had her last child at the same age that I had my first and only ...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/05/mirror-mirror.html

It has been a few years since Raphaela has watched Dora the Explorer, she outgrew the fascination with a magical back pack and talking animals who live in the Amazon Rain Forest.  Dora never se...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/05/return-of-old-friend.html

For several years now I have avoided regularly attending the synagogue right down the street, despite the fact that many of Raphaela's classmates play there during the services.  This particular...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-new-synagogue.html

Yesterday was the usual too-long Shabbat, with Raphaela's hyperactivity at maximum, with lots of energy and not enough outlets. At one point during the day I said in frustration, "You are actin...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/05/politics-start-young.html

RR:  There are Israeli flags on cars and houses!  That's because Yom HaAtzmaut is coming. MOM:  Actually there is another reason for the flags, tonight starts Yom HaShoah.   There was an evi...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/05/yom-hashoah-2016.html

Every year Raphaela asks more advanced questions at the Seder, as her worldview widens.  Here are the top four issues addressed this weekend: 1. " I see they have the four boys, when do they ...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/04/deep-thoughts-pessach-edition.html

Pessach in Israel feels very much like Christmas  or Thanksgiving did in the United States:  it is impossible to find parking at any store or mall, there is way too much preoccupation with food...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-time-of-memory-making.html

This morning while packing her lunchbox for camp, Raphaela was unable to find her water bottle. In fact I was unable to find a travel water bottle, anywhere in the house; I could've sworn that ye...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/04/emergency-call.html

This morning Raphaela and I went to the bakery and then walked around the neighborhood, as she has no school (since Tuesday) and no camp on Fridays. I challenged her to an impromptu photo com...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/04/vacation.html

Last night while I was brushing Raphaela's hair, her first tooth fell out. It was a cause for great celebration and "happy tears" in our house, as this meant that she was really getting big and...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-tooth-fairy-vs-prophet-elijah.html

Every year shortly before Pessach, Raphaela and I sort through her clothing and toys, and decide what she has outgrown.  Then, while Raphaela is in school (so as to avoid needless trauma), I don...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-tree-grows-in-jerusalem-metaphor.html

This past Friday when I went to pick up my daughter from school, I was standing with a mother whose child has been in the same class as Raphaela for the last few years.  When the girls came out,...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/04/thicker-skin.html

"Mommy," said Raphaela with a broad smile, "I would like to buy you from the store and take you home and you will be my Mommy forever.  How much do you cost?"

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-to-start-day-right.html

While driving yesterday, a curious radio advertisement came up on the radio.  It begins with a woman excitedly telling us, the listeners, about this great surprise party that her co-workers thre...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/03/only-in-israel.html

Above all other Jewish holidays in the calendar year, Purim has the beautiful ability to cross lines of ethnicity and religiosity.  The whole country, whole families, celebrate the day together;...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/03/purim-photo-essay.html

When I was single, Purim held little appeal for me, though I did try to wear a creative costume each year.  When you have children, in Israel, the holiday of Purim (officially one day long) last...

http://jsmbc.blogspot.com/2016/03/purim-2016.html