I was the only one in my book club not to like Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Since my taste is usually similar to at least some of the members I decided to give Patchett's new book Run a chance. Patchett depicts unconventional characters. She is good at explaining their motives, and how other … [Read more...]
Book Review: Through the Narrow Gate by Karen Armstrong
January 2, 2009 by
Karen Armstrong attended a convent school in England. A scholarly, introspective child, her feelings of social isolation and an overwhelming desire to feel close to God led her to join an austere order as a postulant against her parents' wishes. She was seventeen. In Through the Narrow Gate: A … [Read more...]
Writing Group Exercise: Show, Don’t Tell
November 12, 2008 by
In our local writers' group Mimi and I have been experimenting with different approaches . So far, we have assigned free-writing exercises and discussed writing technique. Lately we have added critique. But we decided that looking at examples of good writing would be more useful than just talking. … [Read more...]
Reading the "Little House" books
November 5, 2008 by
I've been reading the Little House series of books to my seven-year-old son Y. He loves them, even the rather slow descriptions of the prairie landscape in The House on Plum Creek.I remember a discussion on a Jewish blog about whether the description of killing and cooking a pig in the first book, … [Read more...]
Michael Chabon and Yiddish
September 9, 2008 by
Michael Chabon got the idea for his book, The Yiddish Policemen's Union, after discovering a Yiddish phrase-book called "Say it in Yiddish" from the 1950's. He embarrassed himself by writing an essay treating the book as an anachronism and making fun of people who wanted to learn to say "I need a … [Read more...]
Jet lag and secondary jet lag
July 31, 2008 by
I handle jet lag well upon arrival in the US. We function during the day, despite waking up at 3 am for several days. By the second morning the kids already woke at 7:30. The return is different. Typically we are all awake at night the first week, then I suffer for an additional week. It's not just … [Read more...]
More on Rashi’s Daughters
May 5, 2008 by
The Rebbetzin's Husband gave a talk in his shul on what is actually known about Rashi's daughters.We appreciate him taking the time to put it up.Rashi's Daughters: Joheved - Myths and Facts: Part I and Part II … [Read more...]
Rashi’s Daughters, Book I: Jocheved
April 30, 2008 by
My friend, who ordered Rashi's Daughters, Book I: Jocheved by Maggie Anton for our book club, asked me to read it and tell her my thoughts. Not having read any reviews I didn't know what to expect.Anton introduces us to the life of the renowned classical Biblical and Talmudic commentator Rabbi … [Read more...]
Our English Story Hour
March 11, 2008 by
My town doesn't attract a large number of new English-speaking olim, having been eclipsed by Raanana, distant Beit Shemesh and Modiin. But we now have a new attraction--an English story hour.Our group consists of six or seven families. Some I knew before, and the rest met through our community's … [Read more...]
For those with low housekeeping standards: She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel
January 2, 2008 by
If you are depressed about your housekeeping standards, you might take comfort from the memoir She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel. It's the sequel to "A Girl Named Zippy." Zippy's father decides to lower the ceiling to save heat, and his family is so impressed by this improvement (". . . we … [Read more...]
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