Archives for November 2007

Two children go missing from gan; found safely three hours later

According to the local paper, two children aged 3.5 and 4 disappeared from gan (preschool) without anyone realizing. At around 11 AM, the ganenet noticed that they didn't return to the gan after playtime in the fenced area outside. After a thorough search of the premises failed to locate the … [Read more...]

A Creative Solution for Unruly Teenagers

In the excellent book On Writing Well by William Zinsser, the author suggests improving your writing by imitating other writers you admire. My most recent post on cooking is modeled on Frugal Journey, Raanana Ramblings inspired my post on Efi, and the following is the kind of story that Rafi would … [Read more...]

What’s There to Eat? Saving Time in the Kitchen

I recently gave a talk to young mothers entitled, "Is there anything to eat in this house?" We all want to open our refrigerators and find delicious healthy food, but it won't get there by itself. I spoke generally, trying to break down the different cooking tasks — those things that experienced … [Read more...]

A Reward for Efi

One of our favorite alonim, called Mibereshit, comes in a gan or an elementary school edition. The gan version has a regular feature about a boy named Efi and his family. Efi has lots of problems but his wise parents help him resolve them through a discussion about the weekly Torah portion.Last week … [Read more...]

The Rada"K on Feminine Beauty

Rabbi David Kimchi, known as RaDaK for short, was a medieval biblical commentator. Most people are unfamiliar with his Torah commentary, because it is not included the classic Mikraot Gedolot volume of commentaries. Mikraot Gedolot on Navi (Prophets) does include his commentary, for which he is … [Read more...]

Mothering and the Teaching Profession

I recently met a lawyer who quit her job after the birth of her third baby. If she had to do it again she told me she would become a teacher, despite the low salary and status. She wants a profession that allows her to spend time with her children. There is a lot of talk of making teachers more … [Read more...]

Is the teacher’s strike kosher?

I promised to write about the high school teacher's strike, which has been going on now for a month. We're lucky; my eleventh-grader is in a private school, and my eighth-grader has only one striking teacher (but it's her best teacher). Her large school has enough substitutes and non-striking … [Read more...]

There’s No Need to Fear, Underdog Underfrog is Here

A big thank-you to Jameel at the Muqata for his ringing endorsement of Underfrog's blog A Mother in Israel for Best Middle East or Africa Blog -- 2007 Weblog Award (polls close at 5 PM EST November 8).Treppenwitz may have a "total disregard for accolades and recognition," but some of us need all the … [Read more...]

An Onslaught of Alonim

To find out about life in the Haredi world, check out the pashkvilim (wall posters) in Jerusalem or Bnei Brak. There will be one protesting any trend potentially threatening to the haredi way of life. But if the religious Zionist community interests you, go to your local synagogue on Friday … [Read more...]

Haveil Havalim #139: Chayei Sarah edition

Welcome to the November 4, 2007, 139th edition of Haveil Havalim, the Jewish and Israel Blog Carnival. Thanks to everyone who sent in posts. Special thanks to Soccer Dad for suggesting posts and for providing loads of technical support. I set a limit of three posts for any one blogger. Mazal … [Read more...]