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Welcoming Babies Into Intermarried Families

Shabbat For Families

Torah Topics For Families

grandmothers

My Mom Isn’t a Stereotypical Jewish Grandma. And That’s OK.

Danielle Simone Brand

Grandmother tells a fairytales to her granddaughter

My mother loves her grandkids with gusto, and spends time and money on them accordingly. When she comes from Canada to visit us for a few weeks in California, she enlivens our house with her fun,… quirky presence. But when she’s here, I admit to feeling discomfort — OK, resentment — over her refusal to set aside her own agenda. I love my mom. And while she has many good qualities, like a willingness to make messes — and sometimes even clean them up — and her enthusiasm for helping my… >> Read More

family

When This Woman Couldn’t Get Pregnant, Her Sister Became Her Surrogate

Joanna C. Valente

There's no love like sister love. For one pair of sisters, Randi Fishman and Erin Silverman, their bond is unbreakable: the two are joined by a baby! When Maryland resident Fishman was 28 in… 2011, she received horrific news: She had breast cancer. Her diagnosis happened right after she got married and was about to start a family, crushing her pregnancy dreams. At the time, Fishman was able to her freeze her eggs and started the expensive, time-consuming process to find a surrogate. They found one and she gave… >> Read More

family events

28 Ways to Celebrate Purim with Kids in New Jersey

Kveller Staff

Purim celebration concept (jewish carnival holiday). Top view.

As far as Jewish holidays go, Purim just about has it all. A dramatic story with kings, queens and intrigue; costume parades; delicious three-cornered pastries and carnivals all add up to one of the… most kid-friendly and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. To celebrate, there are Purim parties, plays, and both traditional and more creative celebrations being planned all over Essex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties. So mark your calendars, get your costumes ready, and get ready to party! Want to try your hand at making hamantaschen… >> Read More

baby

These Brothers Have a Fatal Genetic Disease. Their Family Wants Your Help

Joanna C. Valente

Taking care of a sick child — and watching that child suffer — has to be one of the worst things a parent can go through. The emotional struggle can also be compounded by the financial… struggles. To ease the financial burden of their children's expensive (and often experimental) treatments, one family launched a GoFundMe campaign for their children, 17-month-old, Benny, and 4-month-old, Josh. The Landsman family's two children were recently diagnosed with a fatal genetic disease called Canavan, the genetic mutation for which is more prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews. As their mom, Jennie Rosenblum, explained… >> Read More

family

Being an Aunt Is Pure, Uncomplicated Joy

Courtney Naliboff

On September 27, I became an aunt for the very first time. My sister, two years younger than I am, obligingly popped out an adorable little boy for me to snuggle — and then give back to her. My… feelings about being an aunt are blissfully unambiguous. When I became a mother, three-and-a-half years ago, my deep love of my daughter was complicated by the normal physical and mental stresses of childbirth, breastfeeding and caring for an infant. She and I were so deeply intertwined that I had no perspective. Was she cute? I… >> Read More

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