HOME & FAMILY

Z'man Simchoseinu -- the season of joy. A time to laugh -- and a time to refrain from laughing.

Reflections and guidelines

Decorating the Succa
based on a true story
by Rifca Goldberg

Surah Leah looked in the mirror -- and she didn't like what she saw. These braces ruined everything! They were needed to straighten her teeth, yes. They would help correct her bite, she knew. But still... tears sprang to her eyes. It wasn't easy. It really wasn't.

Little Lost Houses
by J. Belsky
Author, poet, teacher, psychiatrist

In my dream, a voice urges: Go back. Go back for the pachim ketanim. All day I puzzle over the message. I even look up the passage in Vayishlach describing the detour Yaakov Ovinu takes to retrieve the small jars.

Always Reach Out
by Y. Schwartz

Ne'ila. Yom Kippur 1978. The sun is slowly setting and the whole world is standing breathlessly by, willing the gates to stay open for just a few minutes longer. Yes, it's time for the gates to close but in Tel Aviv, in Assuta Hospital, a new gate was opening: a baby boy is born, a tiny one, who could best be described as `tear-drenched.' A sea of tears brought him into the world, endless prayers and infinite hope.

Reunion in Jerusalem
by M. Steinberg

This is a story that I have wanted to tell for years.

In the 1930's in a small town in Northern Germany, there were two young ladies who were first cousins and also best friends. They both felt the stirrings of anti- Semitism, in their attempts at pursuing an education, and decided to go abroad to further their studies and perhaps find a shidduch at the same time.

JERUSALEM OF YORE
The Right One -- a True Tale
by Yisca Shimony

Keila was standing in her little kitchen, ladling some soup into a plate, when in rushed Etta, waving a paper in her hand. "Here is my diploma!" she cried excitedly.

Encourage Positive Behavior with Homemade Stories
by Masha Wolf, M.A.
Child therapy, play therapy, guidance for parents

Part II

Positive behavior in children rarely occurs in its complete and perfect form. A wise parent may often need to search out positive behavior and cultivate it when it occurs. At times, a parent may feel as if s/he is searching for a needle in a haystack. It is important to know that in every child there is always something positive to focus on no matter how negative and destructive his present behavior.

The Perpetual Teardrop -- Watershed

The tear was finally rolled down my cheek; maybe it was the other tears waiting behind it. The Rosh Hashona prayers did not allow me to hold back this time. There had been so many, many, many years of trying to have a child, only to bring us the hurtful news. We courageously kept growing somehow, while constantly working hard at convincing ourselves that everything is for the best.

Roughing It
by Rosally Saltsman

Succos and the great outdoor life -- in (one) door and out- the-other -- less is often more -- a different perspective on life.

LETTERS, FEEDBACK, EITZES

Here I was last Friday night, sitting in hospital for my daughter's operation on her back at 11 p.m., reading the Yated (down under). I turned a few pages and there was an article about a brace that my daughter needs to wear now on her back. The whole family and her friends found it amazing that this week there was such an article on this topic.

Your Medical Questions Answered!
by Joseph B. Leibman, MD

Treatment and prevention of allergies is our subject today. Local allergic reactions such as poison ivy and the nickel that is often used in watch bands is best treated by avoiding the noxious substance and using creams that have a low dose of steroid in them. They are often available without prescription but of course, prescription ones are stronger. Antihistamine creams and ointments are also now available and will help for a short time as well.

Fruit Power -- An Energy/Performance Friend
by Dr. Reuven Bruner, Ph.D.

Fruit is an essential component of a nutritious, healthy eating plan. Fruit provides fiber to slow the release of fructose and other sugars which prevents a rapid increase of insulin, followed by an equally rapid crash, the kind caused by candy bar sugars. Fruit's sugar-fiber combination can ease hunger pangs as well.

POET'S PLATFORM

City of Eternity
by Ruth Fogelman

High, vaulted ceiling
Above my head,
Dark domes of ancient City.
I walk over flagstones
On my way to the Western Wall.

Echoes of eras long past
Cling to stone walls,
Wrestle with aromas
Of spices from distant lands.

Down narrow alley
I walk, stalls on each side,
Merchants call out their wares.
I brush against woman
Fingering fabric, scarlet and blue.
I turn, avoiding a mule laden
With vessels
And I continue on my path
Past the jostling market
To an unroofed lane.

To the Wall which nestles doves,
To the Wall where hyssop sprouts,
To the Wall which houses prayers,
To the Wall which borders
The ever-open Gates
Through which tears enter.

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Worry

by Ruth Lewis

If there's no money,
If there's no strength,
not to worry.
It's all from Him.
The One above sends
what we need.

If people shout
or give us stares,
who cares?
It's all from Him.
The One Above sends
what we need.

But if one tiny drop of pride
will seep into our heart, inside --
all's lost!
Then we must scream and cry and shout
until it's out.

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Service with a Smile

by Yaffa Bracha, London

The world is looking drab today
The sky is grey and bleak,
Why should I leave my bed so fast
Like I've done the entire week?

I dressed the children, anyway,
And gave them all some food,
I packed them off to learn at school
And then sat down to brood.

The beds were still so crumpled
And the dishes piled so high,
Empty packets scattered on the floor
And all I did was sigh.

The empty minutes slowly passed
The dishes still had grime,
Yet my despondency grew much worse
Hoping things would clean with time.

I'd worked so hard without a break
No word of thanks was heard,
"Do this", "Do that" and "Quickly, now",
Of gratitude -- not a word.

The ringing phone shook me all up
Who'd want to talk to me?
I got up from my chair and went
With piqued curiosity.

Across the telephone line I heard
A lady say "Hello,
I'm phoning for a survey
From the Happy Day Bureau.

"We inquire from some ladies
In what mood they spend their day,
When children leave a mess and
Teens don't put their clothes away.

"If only you would smile," she said,
"Your children would do so, too,
And then the mess would be so small,
It'd be a cinch to do."

The phone line clicked
The line went dead
And with a smile upon my face
I ploughed right on ahead.

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Proceed with the New Year

a sonnet by Zippora Zien

Some people plan ahead with great delight!
They set down study plans for dreams fulfilled.
A setback in their progress causes fright,
And faith in future pleasure soon is stilled.

For every disappointment there's reward
Especially when determination reigns!
For every drop of sweat a jewel's stored
When Torah is the object of your pains.

Let fellow Jews rejoice to know this rule!
Reward will be forthcoming without fail.
Each moment's task or pain becomes a tool
Through which is stored on high each small detail.

Accept the Torah's yoke and you'll succeed!
For learning is the prize. Go on! Proceed!

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