Prose
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Bubbe's Picks
The Golden Retriever
Nov 26, 2024
It was Sabbath and I was going to go on a walk with my mom after eating a wonderful lunch, but after going…
Bad Egg
Oct 29, 2024
When I was little I really loved living things in general and liked to keep them as pets. I had pet spiders,…
The Workman's Circle
Sep 17, 2024
When I was growing up in my Jewish world I would often hear about a Jewish organization called The Workmen's…
God Experience - John Dubourt
Sep 01, 2024
Does God answer prayers? What has your experience been with God and prayer?
A Reason to Praise God
Aug 03, 2024
Why praise God? The same answer kept coming into my mind: praise God for the work that He has done, and is…
Surges of Hope
Jul 19, 2024
As I write this, not only do I write it for you, but for me as well. This has been a particularly difficult…
A Danish or Ice Cream?
Jun 30, 2024
Since I was a kid I loved Danish pastries, especially blueberry and prune, and I was always ecstatic about…
Cream Cheese vs Peanut Butter
Jun 10, 2024
Since I was a kid I loved cream cheese. I also loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. My mother could…
Cyril Miller
May 17, 2024
Cyril Miller has seen God answer many prayers in his life. When Cyril was about 14 years old, he contracted a…
Phil and Joan
Mar 31, 2024
Phil Bova was enjoying his life to the fullest. In addition to his career as an entertainer for many years,…
Tanya
Mar 29, 2024
Tanya grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home in the Soviet Union. Her family's tea business was beginning to…
Rabbi Joe Kagan
Feb 21, 2024
Rabbi Joe Kagan had a beautiful tenor voice. At age 13 he sang at Carnegie Hall. He was very educated and…
Noah's Bubbe
Feb 03, 2024
Kathleen Moore is an RN, a mental health counselor, specializing in the field of grief and loss, and a person…
Master Sergeant Elkana Vizel
Jan 25, 2024
Master Sargeant Elkana Vizel, a 35 year old reservist in the Israel Defense Force, left a poignant message to…
The Lord is My Shepherd
Dec 17, 2023
I remember going on a Shabbat drive with family through the beautiful countryside somewhere in the middle of…
Other Sections
Sitting before Speaking
Ezekiel 3. Sitting before Speaking. Sermon by Messianic Rabbi Jeff Zaremsky.
Sinning Animals
Many people may be under the impression that only humans were held accountable for their…
Tips for Eating Out
Eating out can quickly throw a monkey wrench in your health plan. But don’t despair. With…
Six-13 - A Billy Joel Passover
Are you a Billy Joel fan? Are you familiar with his music?
Spinach Matzo Balls
Editor's note: This recipe is part of Susie Fishbein's Tricolor Matzo Ball soup.Due to…
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More Prose
Enjoy the Archives!
Whole Megillah
Three Vital Tests
It was Mother’s Day. Ruthie opened an email from a cherished friend whom she chose not to name.
Sweet Lessons in Sad Places
It was fall and as the weather was getting colder with potentially stressful events approaching, a relative thought it would be great to…
When it isn't So Bad
I was trying to work out one day and accidently twisted my ankle.
Butchered Trees and Slaughtered Lives
In front of our house are three trees. One was on the left side, one on the right, and one in the middle. I'm not sure what type they all…
Bob Quillen
It was 2:00 a.m. when Bob Quillen's phone rang. To his surprise, it was Ray Seigal. Bob had conducted the funeral of Ray's wife, Evie, a…
Burned but Beautiful
An EMT volunteer for United Hatzalah in Israel named Yoav Shemaryahu responded to a medical emergency during the Passover.
Productive Praying
Amelia went away from home for a few days.
A Fishy Tale
I received a fish tank in my teens. I’m not sure if it was for my birthday or some other holiday, but the point is I got one.
Donna Anthes
Donna Anthes was the director of nursing at Wildwood Lifestyle Center and Hospital in Wildwood, Georgia.
Sydell
Sydell Greenberg grew up in a wonderful Jewish home in Brooklyn, New York. As a result of a rough period in her life she started searching…
Bagel Chats
As I was growing up in my Jewish world there were numerous bagel chats with my friends.
Staff Sgt Nathan: The Story of a Fighter
When Staff Sgt. Nathan he was diagnosed with leukemia at age 6, he realized that something had happened to him that meant he had…
The Million Dollar Pita
Can one pita change the lives of an entire family?
Confessions of a Jewish Mother - How My Son Ruined My Life
James Baraz's mother tells how her son ruined her life.
Dear Jack
Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 mph zone.
Givat Kfar Tapuah Mixed Orchard with Nadav
Nadav Yair was born in and grew up in Kauai & Oahu Hawaii.
Doug Bachelor
Doug Batchelor might be the richest caveman to have ever lived. His mother was a Jewish actress and his father was a Gentile…
Follow the Recipe
don’t know why, but as risk free as I like to be in life, when it comes to following recipes that security loving part of my brain just…
Safe in Iraq
Arthur Branner personally recounted his call to Iraq to be chaplain of a battalion for one year.
Rehearsing for the Jewish High Holy Days
Some years ago I sang as the tenor lay cantor in a Reform Jewish temple. My then voice teacher was the choir director, and there were five…
Ben Blatt
en Blatt was a driver for a large company. He worked hard, delivered his packages on time, was friendly with the customers, and met all the…
Angels on Duty
Donna’s husband suddenly left his family without looking back.
Corrie Ten Boom
The Nazis arrested Corrie and the rest of the ten Boom family in Febuary 1944. Ten days after their arrest her father died. Among his last…
Is God's Law My Creed?
In the 1980’s Gerry was selling religious literature door to door.
What Ever Happened to Judy
Have you sometimes wondered what happened to friends that you grew up with? I have, we all have.
Good Hearing, Bad Speaking
You may have heard the saying, “some things are easier said than done.”
Broken Pasta Dreams and Restored Faith
One day I was in the mood for food (well many days I am in the mood for food), but I had something very specific in mind.
A Lawsuit with God
One of the most beautifully haunting pieces of cantorial music I have ever sung was called A lawsuit with God. An old pious Jew by the name…
T'shuvah
T'shuvah is the Hebrew word, for lack of a better term, meaning return. The Jewish writer Erich Fromm, who was also a practicing…
Great Bad Timing
I was rushing to go to work since I started driving later than I would have liked, but I knew I had to stop to get some gas eventually.
Bolster Your Memory
One special evening many years ago a small group of family members began sharing memorized passages from their school days.
And They Lived Happily...
Author Richard Paul Evans has written many novels that carry the theme “and they lived happily ever after”.
Havdalah
I’ve written in a previous article about Reuben Caplin (Ruby), my voice teacher and choral conductor at the reform temple that I sang at…
The Bar Mitzvah Boys
Bobby and I were friends for as long as I can remember. We not only had a bond of close friendship, but we respected one another. Bobby had…
Rachmonis
Rachmonis (the Yiddish word for mercy and pity) I remember coming home from school many times and being very angry. Good thing my favorite…
Rabbi Arthur Lelyveld
Rabbi Arthur Lelyveld came into my life in the early 1960’s. He was then the senior rabbi at the Fairmount Temple in Beachwood, Ohio.
The Power of the Book
A few years ago, in the confusion of transferring multiple pieces of luggage from one plane to another, the preacher lost one very…
Meet Bat-El Gatterer, First Orthodox Jewish Female Olympian
Virtually meet Bat-El Gatterer, the first ever Orthodox Jewish Female Olympian in the history of the world and women's 2010 European…
Living the Mitzvah
When my wife and I moved to North Carolina from Florida, we gave up a good support system.
Magnus - Israel's Search and Rescue Expert
This video will introduce you to Yechiel “Hilik” Magnus, Israel’s top search and rescue expert who has spent the last 25+ years involved…
Belev Echad
Belev Echad (“One Heart” in Hebrew) is an organization that brings wounded Israeli Defense Force soldiers together with victims from…
Steven Grabiner
Steven Grabiner finally made it to Israel. The savings bonds that he received at his Bar Mitzvah had come to maturity and provided the fare…
Miracle in North Miami
I often hear people ask where the modern day miracles are.
Getting Annoyed with God
I was working on an important task on the computer that I needed to complete and then the electricity went out.
Joshua Sink
From as early as Joshua Sink could remember he had a passion for flying. While children typically change occupational dreams a dozen times,…
Bubbe’s Zalts
Bubbe’s Zalts (Yiddish for the word salt) On a scale of one to ten, my mother was a ten. Mama was my heart. My bubbe, however, was a ten…
Billy Joel - Q&A: Your German Jewish Origins
Billy Joel has been open about his German Jewish roots, and even hosted a Q&A session at a concert in Nuremberg his to discuss roots with…
Louie, Louie!
I loved going to my aunt Lilly’s house when I was kid to play with my cousin Al. I also liked being with aunt Lilly. Next to my mother, she…
Bubbe Brocha
One of the greatest women to have ever come into my life as I was growing up was my great grandmother, Bertha Nehampkin. She would have an…
My Cousin the Medic
I knew my cousin the medic when I was a teenager. His American name was Lester, but his European name was Lazza.
Like as a Father
While we were conducting business in Earl’s office recently, prominently displayed on his desk was a picture of him and his wife in a…
The Kinsmen Cowboys
As I was growing up I’d always heard about the Lower East Side of New York City. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.
East 105th Street
I grew up on East 105th Street, in Cleveland, Ohio. I went to Gracemont Elementary school. My mother would bring me a “snack” at recess…
My Mother's Honor
awoke late the morning that I write this, perhaps delayed by a vivid dream.
Lebanese Muslim Converts to Judaism
Born in a Shi’ite village in Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War, a war from 1975-1990 mainly involving internal and regional disputes…
Sophie Stillman
Most American college graduates choose to start families, launch careers, and settle down into “adulthood.” University of Minnesota-Twin…
Conquering the Monster of Fear
Years ago the picture on the front of a church bulletin depicted a lovely bird perched on the bough of a tree.
False Assurance
It was rainy weather for days but since the rain itself wasn’t very heavy I felt I could stay comfortable with just my umbrella, even if I…
New Beginnings
“Why don’t you like me?” questioned Lois’s house guest.
Trying to Fit
I have been very lucky in that there is a lot of flexibility regarding what I can wear to work.
God’s Care
Most of the time I prefer to write humorous, light hearted things. This time I want to write something more serious. Not somber, but…
Factory Reset
Have you ever messed up your smartphone or computer so badly by adding or subtracting things that it couldn’t be fixed?
Masterpiece Cakeshop Conflict Redux
Those who imagined the Supreme Court decided in favor of Jack Phillips and his wedding cake business may have been drinking the Kool Aid if…
Snails and Spinach
When Dona was a young girl she was supposed to cook some spinach for her father because he had high blood pressure and wanted to eat a…
Leaving Your Tooth in a GreenTomato
My brother had tomato plants, but where we lived there was so much wildlife it was hard to get anything out of our gardening efforts. It…
Satan Popped the Watermelon
It was Friday and I was busy cleaning and getting ready for Sabbath as usual. I tossed out an empty bottle of water in the kitchen after…
Road Rage
I was on my way to meet someone in a place I had never been before. The home I was going to was so new even the GPS I got a few years…
Hidden Blessings
When my family moved we picked a house surrounded by some trees. The trees along one side of the house were pretty interesting.
Gloria
During my mission’s trip I began a journalism project at the children’s orphanage in Mexicali Mexico, which is also referred to as the…
Escape From Iran
A story of one Jewish man's escape from Iran.
Silly and Sick
When I was a little girl I loved all sorts of pets. I had pet potato-bugs, pet spiders, pet caterpillars, and pet ants.
Wheelchair Rockstar
She's an Israeli dancer, lawyer & activist.
Except for That
Since I was a child I was always seemed to be the sickest child out of my siblings. I got sick on many occasions and have been found to…
Silly George
My neighbor asked if I could watch her cats while she was away. One of her cats, George, had to be on a special diet for his health and had…
Unfaithfully Yours
Emily, my closest friend from high school was voted the one most likely to succeed at everything she did in life, but Emily wanted nothing…
The Overcomer
During the time that I spent with the children at the orphanage in Mexicali Mexico I was finishing my journalism project when I meet a very…
The Missing Yarmulke
Do not be afraid to stand for what you believe in. Never compromise your beliefs.
IDF Israeli Soldier Saves Palestinian Girl
A true story of Palestinian family that got hit by stone from Palestinian terrorist while driving.
Fighting Battles Where They Are, Not Where They Aren't
Conflict, inner turmoil, mental and emotional pain, we all experience it at one time or another in our lives. It's the price we pay for…
The Request
In embarrassment and shame I slowly approached the throne of the Holy One. I keenly felt the poison from sting of guilt working its way…
Dead Branches
I was trimming some roses. I noticed that for some reason many of the branches had died so I was removing them. As I become aware of how…
The Gratitude Attitude
My friend, Bill Schiebler, is a man who lives by our philosophy that you can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough…
Ctrl + Z
One of my favorite keyboard shortcuts is Ctrl + Z. It instantly deletes the last action you took. Put a wrong word in, hit Ctrl + Z, it’s…
Angry with the GPS
I was not having a good day. I didn’t feel very well, and I woke up around 4:00 in the morning to get to work on time, but despite giving…
A Soldier's Gift: An Amazing True Story
Our acts of kindness create ripple effects that impact the world in ways that we could never imagine.
Mekonen - Journey of an African Jew
Learn Mekonen's incredible and emotional life journey as he immigrates to Israel from an Ethiopian village after his father’s death.
A Zionist Muslim
It's rare to find a Zionist Muslim, rarer yet to see one speak publicly about his support of Israel.
My Rabbi
I really appreciate my Rabbi. I asked this man so many questions the mere fact he could tolerate it seemed to be a sign of a relationship…
Attacking the Wrong Thing
One summer I was mowing the yard with my mom and at some point I heard her yell “run!” I quickly abandoned the lawnmower and ran up the…
My Rabbi's Tie
I was searching for something to give my Rabbi and his wife. I loved them very much so I just wanted to give something. I found his wife a…
The Time I Hated God
That period of time may have lasted about a year or so, but the amount of time isn’t that important. What I really want to tell you is how…
Sick Logic and Biblical Wisdom
I was in a training class for a new job. One day the teacher mentioned that we had been exposed to strep throat because someone who was in…
Starving in Front of a Bowl of Kibble
My cat wasn’t satisfied to eat kibble out of his bowl that had been sitting there all day. He wanted to see me personally pour it out fresh…
Cruise Control
I am used to traveling pretty far distances for work but one thing I never really used while driving was cruise control. I knew it was…
I'd Rather Love a Love Bug Than Die
I decided to book a last minute flight to Florida. I knew my Rabbi had hosted a Sukkot retreat in Florida for some years but I didn’t live…
Dorchester
On February 3, 1943 a torpedo struck the S.S. Dorchester. Chaos reigned on board as the boat filled with water. Men rushed aroundin a…
Quiet Desperation
The writer and great thinker Thoreau wrote “most people lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.”…
My Effort
There are some things that we do that don't make as much sense as we think they do. One of those things caused me a lot of concerned and…
The Hiding Place
In November of 1972 my parents emigrated from Israel to the United States, several months prior to my birth in January of 1973. At the age…
Forgiveness
Three years ago, a friend said something to me that hurt very deeply. I was speechless. I could not believe she could say that and mean it.…
Uncle Louie's Santa Clause
Uncle Louie was loved by his nephews and nieces, by his friends, and everybody that knew him. He worked at different jobs at different…
Most Popular
Like as a Father
While we were conducting business in Earl’s office recently, prominently displayed on his desk was a picture of him and his wife in a…
Belev Echad
Belev Echad (“One Heart” in Hebrew) is an organization that brings wounded Israeli Defense Force soldiers together with victims from…
My Mother's Honor
awoke late the morning that I write this, perhaps delayed by a vivid dream.
Conquering the Monster of Fear
Years ago the picture on the front of a church bulletin depicted a lovely bird perched on the bough of a tree.
Magnus - Israel's Search and Rescue Expert
This video will introduce you to Yechiel “Hilik” Magnus, Israel’s top search and rescue expert who has spent the last 25+ years involved…
Billy Joel - Q&A: Your German Jewish Origins
Billy Joel has been open about his German Jewish roots, and even hosted a Q&A session at a concert in Nuremberg his to discuss roots with…
Leaving Your Tooth in a GreenTomato
My brother had tomato plants, but where we lived there was so much wildlife it was hard to get anything out of our gardening efforts. It…
Masterpiece Cakeshop Conflict Redux
Those who imagined the Supreme Court decided in favor of Jack Phillips and his wedding cake business may have been drinking the Kool Aid if…
The Power of the Book
A few years ago, in the confusion of transferring multiple pieces of luggage from one plane to another, the preacher lost one very…
Road Rage
I was on my way to meet someone in a place I had never been before. The home I was going to was so new even the GPS I got a few years…
False Assurance
It was rainy weather for days but since the rain itself wasn’t very heavy I felt I could stay comfortable with just my umbrella, even if I…
Hidden Blessings
When my family moved we picked a house surrounded by some trees. The trees along one side of the house were pretty interesting.
Meet Bat-El Gatterer, First Orthodox Jewish Female Olympian
Virtually meet Bat-El Gatterer, the first ever Orthodox Jewish Female Olympian in the history of the world and women's 2010 European…
Snails and Spinach
When Dona was a young girl she was supposed to cook some spinach for her father because he had high blood pressure and wanted to eat a…
Getting Annoyed with God
I was working on an important task on the computer that I needed to complete and then the electricity went out.
Wheelchair Rockstar
She's an Israeli dancer, lawyer & activist.
Escape From Iran
A story of one Jewish man's escape from Iran.
New Beginnings
“Why don’t you like me?” questioned Lois’s house guest.
Sophie Stillman
Most American college graduates choose to start families, launch careers, and settle down into “adulthood.” University of Minnesota-Twin…
Trying to Fit
I have been very lucky in that there is a lot of flexibility regarding what I can wear to work.
The Missing Yarmulke
Do not be afraid to stand for what you believe in. Never compromise your beliefs.
Silly and Sick
When I was a little girl I loved all sorts of pets. I had pet potato-bugs, pet spiders, pet caterpillars, and pet ants.
Unfaithfully Yours
Emily, my closest friend from high school was voted the one most likely to succeed at everything she did in life, but Emily wanted nothing…
The Overcomer
During the time that I spent with the children at the orphanage in Mexicali Mexico I was finishing my journalism project when I meet a very…
Rachel Hyman
Rachel Hyman was a fun-loving, happy, energetic child. The more active she was, the happier she was. She looked at the world as a place…
IDF Israeli Soldier Saves Palestinian Girl
A true story of Palestinian family that got hit by stone from Palestinian terrorist while driving.
Factory Reset
Have you ever messed up your smartphone or computer so badly by adding or subtracting things that it couldn’t be fixed?
Except for That
Since I was a child I was always seemed to be the sickest child out of my siblings. I got sick on many occasions and have been found to…
Gloria
During my mission’s trip I began a journalism project at the children’s orphanage in Mexicali Mexico, which is also referred to as the…
Silly George
My neighbor asked if I could watch her cats while she was away. One of her cats, George, had to be on a special diet for his health and had…
