Author Archives: Linda

Article on People Losing Religion Makes Me Glad I’ve Reconnected to Mine

By | | Jewish muse
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Boston Magazine writer Katherine Ozment writes of a disturbing trend in a recent article — how a growing number of twenty-somethings identify with no religion at all. Why do I find this so disturbing? Because I once was one of those twenty-somethings. Judaism to me was a culture, not a religion, till I hit my late 30s. All religions have the power to give a community that can be there for joys and sorrows. Other things can, too, but religion seems to provide that community especially well. Continue reading →

Son Teaches Mom How to Be a Jew at Christmas

By | | Memoir, Writings
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Summary: The New York Times Motherlode blog posted an essay of mine on Dec. 7, 2012, about a common dilemma for Jewish parents or parents of any children who are not in the Christian majority. How do we teach our children to be proud of their religious identity and customs, yet still respect the traditions of the majority in our country?

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Reader reaction: The piece drew more than 200 comments on the Motherlode blog and stirred debate about many aspects of the so-called December dilemma that many … Continue reading →

Comfort the Parents – and – Siblings of Newtown Victims

By | | Jewish muse
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No one can fathom the kind of grief the parents of those 20 children – or the six adults killed in the same school shooting – will experience in the weeks, months, and years to come. No one, too, should try to second-guess how the tragedy will affect the victims’ siblings. Continue reading →

It’s that Happy Whatever Time of Year

By | | Jewish muse
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How do you deal with being a religious minority during the Christmas holiday season? My son, by example, is teaching me how to enjoy both the lights of Hanukkah, and the lights dotting the landscape all around town to celebrate the pending arrival of Christmas. Continue reading →

‘God is the Clouds’: Young Son Broaches Touchy Subject

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How do you have the ‘God’ conversation with your child? Our son’s first pre-kindergarten Judaism class included the telling of the story of Noah. He came away believing a lot about God. Talking about God and its place in life is a challenge for any parent. Continue reading →

Slurping Kitten Teaches Children about Forgiveness

By | | Jewish muse
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October 22, 2012

One lesson from Yom Kippur lingers in our home, thanks to a children’s book about a kitten and a little boy named K’tonton.

This year, my son, who’s nearing 5, learned more than he ever has about what it means to seek forgiveness after he does something wrong.

Naming a Son for a Brother Who Died Young

By | | Memoir, Writings
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Summary: Choosing a name for our unborn son stirred up the past for my husband and me. I wrote an essay about that struggle for The New York Times Motherlode blog. The piece was published on July 29, 2012, and stems partly from a chapter in the memoir I’m writing about journeying through grief and finding faith after the loss of my brother. Click on link below to read the piece.


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Reaction: The story drew more than … Continue reading →

AP Classes: A Problem for Massachusetts High Schoolers?

By | | Education, Writings
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Summary: I wrote a piece for the Oct. 7, 2012, Boston Globe magazine about the rise in enrollment in Advanced Placement classes and how that has led to a troubling trend in competitive high schools. The highest-achieving students compete to see just how many AP classes they can pack into their schedule, a move they think will impress college admissions officers. But does it? Click on the link below to read the article, the cover story that week.

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Reaction: The article drew extensive reader reaction, … Continue reading →