Dear Family, You can’t imagine the pride and happiness that I have in seeing your successes and achievements in life. I know that pride is a feeling one usually has about their own achievements. But as your father and grandfather, I get deep pleasure and satisfaction in following all that you do. I…
DetailsAs a grandparent, I talk a lot about passing values from one generation to the next. As one who advocates for a culture of sharing in the family, where everyone’s voice can be heard, I also am realizing lately how important it is to articulate what you stand for. With so much vitriol in…
DetailsThe dictionary definition of the word “demystify” means to make something clear and easy to understand. When it comes to family, de“mist”ifying may be the better way to say it. I’m talking about that mist that can come over family members when they get together. It might be the mist through which one sees…
Details2018 was a grand year! There were graduations and weddings and birthdays and promotions. So much to celebrate. And it was a scary year. There were concerns about aging and losing my independence. Thankfully, I passed my written driving test and renewed my driver’s license. But that was after flunking it the first time. Over…
DetailsBy Jerry Witkovsky and Deanna Shoss I’m feeling very naïve right now. Not even two months ago, I was overwhelmed with emotion, grateful for the freedom to practice Judaism in the United States. As I sat in Synagogue for the High Holy Days in September, I reflected on past visits to Auschwitz with my staff…
DetailsAt age 90 and 7 months, I was entering my car the usual way. Right leg first, leaving all the weight on my left leg for just a fraction of a minute until I’m in. Suddenly my knee gave out and I found myself flat on the parking lot pavement. Somehow, in a state of…
DetailsYou might say why would I purposely have a conversation about Judge Brett Kavanaugh with my grandchild? Perhaps the conversation is not so much about him specifically, but around what kinds of discussions grandparents and grandchildren can have around the news and current events. Our grandchildren hear so much and learn so much outside of…
DetailsI can’t believe it. My second to youngest grandchild is off onto her next big milestone: going to college. Just a couple of weeks ago, Merite’s mom dropped her off. I asked her to tell me a story about orientation and how she was feeling as she embarked on this next milestone phase of her…
DetailsJews around the world this week came together with others in their local Jewish community to pray on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. As I sat in synagogue on Monday, I realized how powerful it is that we are free to do that in the US, without fear. Older adult after older adult shuffled…
DetailsOh the stories you’ll hear! This past Saturday they came to Deerfield IL from Madison, WI. My son, his wife and my grandchildren Merete and Aiden. My granddaughter Katie and her boyfriend Lance came up from Chicago. My lady friend, Felice, was there too The chatter over lunch and dinner was rich, lively and full…
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