Why Beit Shemesh Means Nothing To Me

Back in September, I wrote a post about the situation here in Beit Shemesh.  I wrote mainly out of frustration with my new hometown, and because mothers were bringing politics to the park.  I responded to a conversation held in front of children on this blog, although looking back maybe I should have kept my … Continue reading Why Beit Shemesh Means Nothing To Me

Mommy and Me

My son hit another kid. I’ve been waiting for this challenge for a while.  I’ve been curious as to how I would react. My brother has three little boys, all deeply rooted in Israeli-Chareidi society where boys communicate physically with one another before they get down to verbalization.  (This is in no way a judgmental … Continue reading Mommy and Me

Six Years

It’s been…six years…filled with love…joy…happiness…hardships…and longing…for you. My happily-ever-after…standing before the lights…watching the flames dance…to the beat of the perfect little life inside me…died with the last lick of fire…and left a hole…where you used to be. The day you broke away approaches… I am not ready…to face the dark memories…the images of you…slipping into … Continue reading Six Years

Oh The Places I’ve Come From

“Cleveland, Cleveland, convention in Cleveland….Convention ‘97 will last forever……” Ringing in my ears as an unwanted memory, the BY Convention song my mother wrote fourteen years ago plays in my head like a broken record.  I guess she got it right - about it lasting forever and ever and ever…but how I wish it would … Continue reading Oh The Places I’ve Come From

Oh Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel…

When I was in kindergarten I colored a dreidel.  To me, it was just another shape outlined in thick black ink that I was meant to color in with whatever crayons I chose. To my teacher, who happened to be an artist, it was amazing. My mother worked in the school so the teacher ran … Continue reading Oh Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel…