I observe the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) for my mother of blessed memory next Friday. So when Batya of Me-ander suggested I write about leftovers, I thought this post would be a fitting tribute. I hope to write more about my mother's legacy to me in the coming week. My mother never wasted … [Read more...]
Telemarketing in Israel
November 27, 2006 by
Just about every day we get unsolicited calls falling into three categories: telemarketers, surveys, and charitable organizations. I have found that the best way to get rid of telemarketers is not to give them a chance to talk. One of my children once asked me, "Why do you always say, 'Lo … [Read more...]
How to Choose a School
November 21, 2006 by
Mama o' the Matrices has been school-shopping: Too many indifferent teachers, too many classrooms with glossy posters instead of the kids' work. And when the kids' stuff was hung up, it was way too uniform. And the biggest strike? teachers mixing interpretive narrative (midrash) with the biblical … [Read more...]
Post high-school decisions
November 19, 2006 by
In Israel the post-high school decisions take on a different flavor because of the obligation to serve in the army. There are essentially four options for observant boys. Hesder, a five-year program including 1.5 years of army service. Most yeshiva high schools aspire to send the majority of their … [Read more...]
Only in Israel–Bank Story
November 17, 2006 by
I think that West Bank Mama was looking for something a little more positive in honor of her blogoversary feature, "Only in Israel." I hope she'll forgive me and post it anyway. When we bought our apartment in the early 1990's, we were entitled to a government grant and a reduced-rate mortgage. … [Read more...]
Thinking Outside the Misgeret
November 13, 2006 by
In the park today, I was discussing the sleep habits of a particular todder with his caretaker. One of the other babysitters said that toddlers gradually move from a morning to an afternoon nap. I pointed out that my daughter, age two and a half, still sleeps in the morning. The babysitter replied, … [Read more...]
Redeeming my culinary honor: Mushroom-barley soup and pizza
November 11, 2006 by
Well!! One of the commenters thought my recipe for fake lasagna was "unappetizing." So I'm hoping to redeem myself with this mushroom-barley soup seasoned with rosemary and parsley and spinach-tomato pizza with mushrooms, onions, olives, peppers, cheese and fresh tomatoes.The picture is before … [Read more...]
Home Alone
November 8, 2006 by
Vacations in Europe and to more exotic destinations are fashionable in Israel these days. Even when both parents work at demanding full-time jobs, they use their precious vacation days to travel abroad without the children. So who is watching the children? Besides their regular child-care … [Read more...]
Fake lasagna, spilled drinks and more
November 6, 2006 by
Warning: Don't read this if you thought my diaper advice was unhygenic.I would say this afternoon was typical for our house if you could apply such a word to anything in our family. . . At about five o'clock I told the kids they could make smoothies with the bananas that had been sitting in the … [Read more...]
Dads and Breastfeeding: More on R. Boteach
November 4, 2006 by
A while ago I posted about R. Boteach's column on the perils of breastfeeding to a young couple's sex life. I found this excellent rebuttal by Armin Brott. Here is a sample: In researching my books, "The Expectant Father" and "The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the First Year," I found the same … [Read more...]
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