How Do You Tell Them Apart?
Update on twins Jonah and Reed, who are now two weeks old and growing fast.
Proud of My “Students”
The launch event for the contemporary Jewish American anthology It's a Whole Spiel, highlighting the diversity of Millennial and Gen Z Jewish experiences.
The Sacred Community
Reflections on the tragic explosion and fire in New York City's East Village last week and what it means to be part of a community.
Not Your Parents’ Religious School
A set of Lego scenes for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot inspire thoughts on changes in American Jewish education and identity over the past few decades.
Live Like a Marrano: Passover and Easter in Portugal
The difficulty of finding matzah for Passover in Portugal leads me to the Inquisition and the fates of thriving Jewish communities there and in Spain.
The Tragic Tale of Lego Piggy: Point of View
I use LEGO photos and a story about a Jewish mother followed on the street by a pig to explain the concept of point of view.
As Hanukkah 2013 ends, Lego Daft Punk, Mumfield & Daughers, and the little boy who nearly burned his house down would like to wish you a Happy Holiday Season.
The Thanksgivukkah Advent Calendar Challenge: Juxtaposition and a Writing Prompt
I juxtaposed three builds from the LEGO City Advent Calendar for each of the 8 nights of Hanukkah, which gave me an ideal prompt for my vignettes on Instagram.
"Oh, Daddy! I threw Patricio away because Giovanni had a shiny new car!"
"Be honest, Karlijn. Would Patricio have been your boyfriend if he were a random alkie instead of a Pubrickster Prize-winning investigative journalist?"
"Uh...no."
Teshuvah
My thoughts on the Jewish High Holy Days, the concept of Teshuvah, or Repentance, and being a real friend rather than using another person.