HOME & FAMILY

Part I

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, lies at the heart of a savanna at a height of 480 meters. Two and a half million people live there, among them a few Jews and Russians. In April 1966, while Uzbekistan was still under Soviet rule, a terrible earthquake devastated the city.

ASK THE SHADCHAN
Premarital Genetic Screening — Jewish Heredity Issues
By Rebbetzin Nomi Travis

Part I

As a shadchan, I come across genetic issues more often then you would imagine. Some specific queries raised my interest in the subject. I found myself doing research about particular conditions and their medical consequences. Knowing what the situation entails, I am able to a better intermediary.

Life is a Mirror
by Shira Levy

It's Tuesday. Ruth day.

I dial her number and begin by complaining, "A neighbor that I've helped several times told me today that I'm not very kind! But I have helped her out! I was there for her just last week when she needed someone to watch her kids at the last minute!" I stop to catch my breath, tears filling my eyes, "Now I'm going to feel embarrassed every time I see her. I feel silly being so affected by comments from other people but still, she's so unappreciative!"

Whose Opinion?

by R. Chadshai

A woman tells her friend that she bought a marvellous pair of shoes in a certain shop, and that she is really pleased with them. However much she needs a new pair of shoes, there is no way that the friend will ask her to pick up a pair in her size, next time she passes the shop. Shoes need to be fitted to individual feet.

MODERN DAY MESHOLIM AND MUSSAR
An Impressive Speaker
by Bayla Gimmel

An insight into why the method of "Kometz Alef — Aw" repeated umpteen times is still the preferred teaching method ever since — Kometz Alef — Aw "AWnochi Hashem"!

Sorry I'm Late: 5 Ways Not to Be
by Tzivia Ehrilch-Klein

D'you' know that rushing feeling? That tension throughout your entire body that makes you want to push everybody and everything out of your way so that you can just dash ahead without any obstructions and get wherever you are supposed to be five minutes sooner? It's that "I'm an on-time kind of person" feeling, but somehow something happened and now you're scared you're going to be late.

Outsmarting the Midlife Fat Cells!
by Dr. Reuven Bruner, Ph.D.

By age 50, most people have experienced weight loss programs and diets. Despite a sincere desire to lose weight and improve our health, momentum from the other direction seems overwhelming. All that health and fitness stuff just doesn't seem possible with all the other responsibilities we have.

POET'S CORNER

Ever visit the Burnt House in the Old City? A house that was abandoned, as is- was, when the Big Conflagration of the Churban took place, and its inhabitants were swept into exile . . .

Fragile
by Sara Gutfreund

Inside the house, the blue glass vase tilts
And the winter breeze startles the pink curtains
They billow outwards in a gesture of helplessness
And the toddler looks up from the carpet in surprise

She is playing with her dollhouse
And she puts each doll gently into its place
This one sits on the chair and this one on the bed
She looks back towards the open window
And wonders if the wind will come back
She crawls to the chair and picks herself up
And then she begins to walk towards the curtains

Her steps are still hesitant and wobbly
And she falls before she reaches the window
She crawls under the curtains and then peeks her head out
And her eyes crinkle into a knowing smile

Inside the house, the blue glass vase tilts
And the people take fragile steps towards each other
The toddler looks up with beseeching eyes
And the mother looks up too

The chaotic, breaking rhythm of the day is rushing towards
A different space
Where He holds the tentative steps of lost children
And the fallen, despairing people see a second chance

Inside the house, the blue glass vase tilts
And the toddler pulls herself up by the curtains
This will all be gone soon
The house, the baby, the vase, the curtains
What will remain?

Only the belief
That rests in the eyes
That He is One
Not fragile, not broken, not hesitant
And that is why He Knows when it is time
For shattered vases and unexpected falls

And that is also why only He knows
How to make the brokenness whole
And how to give the hesitant, fragile hearts
The strength and the faith
To pick themselves up
Brush themselves off
And begin again