Kids & Family
A new baby's first Shabbat
Our first grandchild was born in the wee hours of a balmy Friday morning. Shortly into our daughter’s difficult 25-hour labor, our son-in-law began a…
Mixed & Matched
I found religion. My partner left it. What will happen to our kids?
Dear Dawn: I’m the daughter of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother who raised me with no religion. Finding my way into Judaism has been difficult and,…
Parenting
Looking to a 16-year-old border detainee for a ray of humanity
I have been thinking a lot about a 16-year-old girl whose name I don’t know. As of early last week, she was being held in a detention facility in Texas…
Jewish Life
Mitzvah leads to miracle as Folsom man gets a kidney
In 2010, Folsom resident and Israeli native Shahar Sigal performed a simple mitzvah, expecting nothing in return. But then life happened. He ended up…
Parenting
Motherhood has earned me a Ph.D. in waiting
When I was pregnant, I waited for my babies to arrive. Both were late. This was surely a sign. A few months after they were born, I was desperate for…
Kids & Family
Wilderness Torah expands as adherents age into parenthood
Nature Deficit Disorder. It’s a thing. And Berkeley-based Wilderness Torah wants to teach Jewish parents the antidote: Send the kids outdoors. Since its…
Parenting
Kindergarten, carefree no more
In a few weeks, my son’s kindergarten class will have a “step-up” ceremony to recognize the students’ completion of the school year and ascension to first…
Mixed & Matched
Is it OK to leave decisions about burial to our kids?
Dear Dawn: I read where you said that parents should decide how they want to be buried and tell their children. That all sounds good, but my wife is…
Parenting
She used to ask about fairies. Now she’s ready to fly.
We used to take rain walks, and I’d let her jump up and down in the puddles. Some days, we’d make up silly songs. After visiting the doctor, especially if…