How Hanukkah, Christmas and a New Baby Inspired My Children’s Book

Lauren with her family As a young couple, my husband and I sailed through our early holiday seasons together....

Family, Hanukkah, Hanukkah & Christmas, Newlywed, Parenting Hanukkah

Why Can’t We Have a Christmas Tree?

“We can’t have one,” I replied, full of the weary knowledge that only the mother of a...

Hanukkah, Hanukkah & Christmas, Jewish Holidays, Jews of Color, Multiracial, Parenting Challenges, Parenting Hanukkah, Parenting Stories

Can We Be Happier Parents?

By Lindsey Silken

Author KJ Dell’Antonia with her daughter. Photo credit: Jessica Lahey I didn’t read any parenting books...

Camp, Parenting, Parenting Stories

Talking to Children About Events in Pittsburgh and Anti-Semitism

By Dr. Ruth Nemzoff

We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor,...

Anti Semitism, Identity, News, Parenting Stories, Young Kids

What Does My Jewish Community Say About Women?

By Anna Keller

What does my Jewish community say about women? I can’t remember. For all of my time in Yeshiva, all of my holidays...

High Holy Days for Parents, Parenting Stories, Simchat Torah, Yom Kippur

Why We’ll Be the Family in Midwood Without a Sukkah

By Anna Keller

I think my family never celebrated Sukkot (the Jewish harvest festival that comes after Yom Kippur) because...

Parenting Stories, Parenting Sukkot

This Yom Kippur, I’m Hanging on to My Sins

By Anna Keller

It’s been a long year. It seems that every year I approach Yom Kippur saying these words. And it’s always true....

High Holy Days, High Holy Days for Parents, Motherhood, Parenting Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Young Kids

How I Ended Up as a Brooklyn Tour Guide for a Day

By Anna Keller

On August 3 my Uncle Jeff, my father’s brother, turned 90 years old. I received a call from my cousin...

Parenting, Parenting Stories

3 Alternatives for Tashlich with Kids

By Amy Deutsch

You can’t forget about performing tashlich for kids. When I was little, my favorite part of the High Holidays...

High Holy Days for Parents, Parenting Stories, Parenting Tashlich

Fun and Meaningful High Holy Days Kids Activities

By 18Doors

Return to the Guide to the High Holy Days Fun and Meaningful Activities To whatever degree your family is planning...

High Holy Days, High Holy Days for Parents, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Young Kids

How to Be a Kosher Vegan in an Interfaith Family

By Anna Keller

Almost two months ago I became a vegan. It’s a long story. I saw some crazy movies about meat and dairy, I...

Parenting, Parenting Challenges, Parenting Stories

How to Celebrate Shabbat…When You Miss Friday Night

By 18Doors

Whoops! Missed lighting those Friday night candles? When the beginning of Shabbat comes and goes and you’re...

Parenting Shabbat, Shabbat

Is it Time to Leave Our Orthodox Neighborhood?

By Anna Keller

My neighborhood of Midwood, Brooklyn, is changing and so is my family. It’s not just that new stores have popped...

Motherhood, Parenting Stories, Young Kids

When Faith Reaches the Border

By Anna Keller

There is a photo taken by photojournalist John Moore going around the internet of a child watching her mother...

Anti Semitism, Holocaust, Motherhood, News, Parenting Stories, Young Kids

Shabbat (with Kids) Cheat Sheet

By Rabbi Jillian Cameron

If you’re new to Judaism or looking to learn how to share more Jewish practices with your family, Shabbat is...

Jewish Holidays, Parenting, Parenting Shabbat, Shabbat

Why Do I Worry My Daughter Won’t Fit In?

By Anna Keller

I was never a princess. In my favorite childhood photo I have short brown hair and a leather jacket covered...

Parenting Stories, Young Kids

We Aren’t as Different as My Neighbors Think

By Anna Keller

I grew up in an Orthodox community in Midwood, Brooklyn. My mother still lives there and I live three blocks...

Babies, New Parents, Parenting Stories, Young Kids

I Was the Loca Lady at My Baby’s Naming

By Anna Keller

Photo By Lizzy Sullivan I never thought that I would be the crazy lady in synagogue. You know the one: She sits...

Israel, Parenting, Parenting Stories

Helen Fell on Her Head and I Prayed to Jesus, Sort of

By Anna Keller

Helen fell on her head. In case I didn’t think I deserved the “worst mother award” before, I pretty much bolted...

Parenting, Parenting Stories, Young Kids

Top 5 Things to Know About Jewish Day Camp

By Lindsey Silken

By Lindsey Silken & Jenni Zeftel You’re starting to think about summertime and what on earth you’re going...

Camp, Parenting Tips and Advice, Religious Education

My Jewish-American, Mexican-Catholic Daughter Speaks with a British Accent…and It’s All My Fault

By Anna Keller

There have been a few changes in our home life since Adrian and I welcomed our newest edition, Alma, to the...

Babies, Baby Naming, Parenting Stories

What’s in a Name

By Anna Keller

A little over two years ago on October 10, 2015 I gave birth to my first child, a girl. Named after my two...

How Two Faiths Collide

By Anna Keller

Once, I was afraid I wouldn’t ever have a boyfriend. I was almost 12, kicked out of Yeshiva, transferred to...

Dating, Relationships

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ideas and Primer for Interfaith Families

By 18Doors

We’ve compiled the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ideas and Primer for Interfaith Families as a way to help interfaith...

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

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