Berkeley artist Judy Massarano has an ongoing disagreement with the people at Guinness World Records. She believes that she has created — with the help of some kids at Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley — the world’s largest seder plate. Guinness agreed that it’s large — but said it’s technically not a plate. It’s made of…
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Kids & Family
Mixed & Matched
Readers offer alternatives for 11-year-old who wants bat mitzvah
I received a number of comments on my March 26 column about an 11-year-old who wants a bat mitzvah but would be starting from scratch because she has not…
Parenting
The consequences of unwanted advice to new moms
“Before I had kids,” mothers tell me, “I used to judge moms.” “I judged moms for giving their kids an iPad in a restaurant.…
Torah
Conception is a miracle — especially for those who struggle with infertility
Tazria Leviticus 12:1-13:59 Tazria (April 5-6) marks National Infertility Awareness Shabbat, and this week’s Torah portion opens with the words “Isha ki…
Mixed & Matched
We haven’t raised her with any religion, but now she wants a bat mitzvah
Dear Dawn: My practicing Christian husband and I have two girls. Our oldest will be 11 in the fall and has announced that we must join a synagogue and…
Parenting
Climate change through my daughter's eyes
Our oldest child is 18 and has decided she no longer wants to eat meat. This has less to do with saving animals and more to do with saving the planet. She…
Parenting
I’m an introvert, but my extroverted toddler can’t get enough of me
My youngest child, Harvey, will turn 3 on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s an odd birthday for a Jewish kid with no Irish ancestry, but one that he…
Parenting
My grandma’s chicken soup means the world to me
I have been trying to re-create my grandmother’s chicken soup for more than 15 years. Though my chicken soup is not her chicken soup, I like to think they…
Parenting
Now that my 6-year-old is reading, he can’t get enough
Already in 2019, I’ve taught my son to read. I can’t imagine I’ll accomplish anything that tops that this year. I had help, of course:…