I originally posted this in 2008, when my now college freshman son was just seven-years-old. Just reading it brings back the image…and the stress of getting a delightful, curious child anywhere! And reminders about intercultural appreciation are always good. And talk about greeting every new day as a gift! Short Film: The Walk to the…
Your High Schooler just announced they are vegan. Your sister’s bringing her new S/O…who is Vegan. Don’t panic! It’s easier than you think to make your Thanksgiving vegan inclusive. Just start with the side dishes #VeganThanksgiving
How do you demonstrate your values in day-to-day actions at home and in business? It dawned on me that I only have a year left to force feed my values to my son before he graduates from high school. He’s already stopped listening. And he outgrew his car seat so I can’t force him…
As soon as I saw the plastic bag full of shoulder pads hanging in the closet, I grasped our shared humanity. Millennial colleagues who were with me on our recent JUF/TOV* trip to Puerto Rico to help with Hurricane Maria relief may not have even recognized them. After all, we were at a house with…
I love, love, love, Thanksgiving. So when World Chicago said they needed Thanksgiving hosts for a “multicultural group,” we were in. World Chicago “promotes citizen diplomacy.” Essentially, World Chicago makes the local arrangements for travelers who are on professional and educational exchanges (“to advance national security, economic development and social justice”) funded by the US…
We got sandwiches from New York Bagel & Bialy in Skokie the other day and I said to my husband, “this must be the best lox and cream cheese sandwich you’ve had,” referring to the 3” inch high concoction he was holding. “The best one was with May,” he responded—the May in question being the…
At 89, grandparenting activist, author and visionary Jerry Witkovsky may be eating less and drinking only water. But “being Jerry” is an inspiration and goal. Because at 89, Jerry is filled with a driving mission and purpose; a passion for his belief that Grandparents can have a transformational effect on their families when they unleash…
“Wow…what a way to blow away years of stereotypes in one evening! Everyone should do this,” my 16 year old son said as we got into the car. He was talking about the Niagara Foundation’s Abraham’s Tent program. The motto of the program is “Open Doors, Open Minds and Open Hearts.” Starting in Ramadan,…
Somewhere between the roasted chicken and the chocolate chip cookies, we abolished global poverty and achieved world peace. And Ange found a wedding dress. It was an amazing dinner. Intercultural Parenting: Values in Action You would think with us already being a Brazilian/USAmerican and Jewish/non-Jewish family, that embracing values of intercultural and interfaith appreciation would…
I’m not sure which has made this question more pressing for me…an imminent holiday weekend away with my mom in Manhattan (as in my mom and me, tied at the hip, same hotel room…for four days) or my upcoming 30th wedding anniversary to my husband. My mom and I are presumably from the same culture…
