Thank heaven for Jewish mothers

Where would we all be without Jewish mothers?

The answer seems too obvious. We wouldn't be here. But stop and reflect on this question a little longer.

Jewish mothers have been unfairly stereotyped over the years as nagging, aggressive, over-protective and dominating. They have been characterized as martyrs and kvetches who derived their sole joy from being able to cook up a storm and kvell about their children.

It really is a miracle then that so many of us grew up not only healthy but able to make significant contributions to society. Our mothers must have done something right.

But let's admit that the stereotype of Jewish mothers is not only erroneous; it also leaves out the qualities many of us cherish in our mothers.

There's the love, nurturing and caring that our mothers displayed throughout our formative years and beyond. Our mothers encouraged us to succeed in everything we did, including our future careers. And they also provided a moral compass, hammering Jewish values into our heads so that we would become good people.

Sure, some of you may read this and say, "Not my mother." But chances are most will agree that their mothers made them who they are today.

Unfortunately, we don't give our mothers enough thanks and credit for the "job" they did. Mother's Day, this Sunday, is a perfect time for such reflection and appreciation. It is a time to dispel stereotypes of the Jewish mother and to appreciate our mothers for taking on a mission impossible -- raising us.

For the future Jewish mothers among us, let us hope they have the courage and strength to do as good a job as their predecessors. The pressures of society make child rearing more and more difficult. But the Jewish mother is up to it.

Oh, one thing we forgot to mention. Our fathers did some things right as well. For one, they married our mothers.