Laugh out loud at “A Husband of Valor.” Israeli law protects women from sex trafficking. The power of Lillian Hellman’s “Julia.” How to diversify a synagogue. The natural history of divorce.
Table of contents Get the issueThe stuff all good kids' books are made of
Advance directive: Describes two kinds of legal documents, living wills and medical powers of attorney. These are papers which allow a person to give instructions about future medical care in case he or she becomes unable to participate in medical decisions because of serious illness or incapacity. Each state regulates the use of advance directives... Read more »
Aging with DignityAttn: Paul MalleyP.O. Box 1661Tallahassee, FL 32302(888) 5-WISHESwww.agingwithdignity.orgOffers “Five Wishes” advance directive form, which can be downloaded. Honored in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Americans for Better Care of the Dying4125 Albemarle Street NWSuite 210Washington, DC 20016(202) 895-9485www.abcd-caring.orgDoes public advocacy on patient care, policy and regulatory issues; is a good source... Read more »
How can you make your own wishes known when you might not be able to communicate them in a time of medical crisis? Should you write them down now, while you’re still sentient? Tell a friend, a relative, your partner, your doctor? Experts answer: All of the above. When writing an “advance directive,” be cautious... Read more »
A psychiatrist joins the chevra kadisha and finds herself preparing a friend's body for the grave.
Coming out as a Jew and a lesbian watching Lillian Hellman's classic story on the big screen
A shift occursafter all these years.The copper sand onthe flat page of the beachdoes not succumb to tidalpull. The gray-eyed wolfnoses in the snow forblood. Old rituals do notmake sense. What is needed nowis precarious as a lone sunfishin an ancient ocean, relentlessas the words that fly from my mindto their perch on the screen.
It’s midnight, and we think the party is over. My father loosens his tie, unbuttons his collar and leans back into the den couch. “That was lovely,” he says to me. “Are you happy with it?” My mother blinks and smiles at me. She has put on her best, dinner for fifty—family, old friends, new acquaintances.... Read more »
Wherein a grown woman caught without a hankie in the web of her own memories, cries her eyes out.
IMAGINE A PROPELLER. Imagine it implanted in your chest, held in place by a nail shot through your sternum. Memories make it turn—memories of family gatherings, washing dishes at the kitchen sink while kids watch The Simpsons, reading Where the Wild Things Are while husband watches the news. Memories of a home. Each time a memory surfaces—(that... Read more »
A husband of valor who canfind him? Because his price is greaterthan sapphires. He Causeth his wife to safelytrust in him, He Doeth her good andnot evil. Every unclean thing doth hegather and make clean again. Into whites and colors hesorteth it; He causeth not the gooddamask tablecloth tobecome pink, Nor doth he cause woolensweaters... Read more »
In a post-feminist tableau at the Israeli Consulate, the press and invited guests were treated to unwitting self-parody by the males and some less-than-sisterly stabs from the General’s daughter at the Israel Consulate in New York in June. The Consulate was showing off the distinguished group of women who had been chosen to represent Israel... Read more »
The Knesset passes three revolutionary laws protecting women from sex trafficking, discrimination and harassment...And in New York, women are "honored" at the Israeli consulate.
With the second drink, at the restaurant,holding hands on the bare tablewe are at it again, renewing our promiseto kill each other. You are drinking gin,night-blue juniper berrydissolving in your body, I am drinking Fume,chewing its fragrant dirt and smoke, we aretaking on earth, we are part soil already,and always, wherever we are, we are... Read more »
Sometimes we must make the difficult decision of removing our loved one from life support, either in keeping with end-of-life wishes, or because his or her brain has ceased to function. Navah Harlow, a patient advocate in New York City, wrote the following prayer for children to say when they give the order to turn... Read more »
If you’re a rabbi trying to open up your synagogue to Jews with diverse needs, feminist forbears in the pulpit (or on the ground) show how to succeed at changemaking.
New legal, social and very personal issues come into play. Here’s some guidance.
