Back to Basics series, Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Did you ever notice that Judaism promotes an attitude of gratitude? In the Torah, God announces that Creation is good, and commands a blessing of thanks after eating. Shabbat, the festivals, and most of the

Back to basics series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Harvard University’s extensive review of neuroscience and behavioral research on early brain development offers three unsurprising but significant findings. The brain is most flexible, or “plastic,” early in life. Brains are built over time, from

Back to basics: a new series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Research over the past two decades has led to fascinating conclusions about environmental influences on thinking and behavior. We’re all familiar with the effects of music on buying habits. But did you know

Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer In Sydney Taylor’s 1950s All-of-a-Kind Family children’s novels, the Jewish family resembles an urban version of the Waltons or the Cleavers from Leave it to Beaver: all are traditionally nuclear, generally patriarchal with breadwinner fathers and homemaker mothers, and

Jew in the Christian world By Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer During a recent conversation, a Jewish friend criticized a Forward article highlighting the wealthiest Jews in America, concerned that it would validate stereotypes of Jews as greedy, wealthy controllers of the economy. Her concern is not unfounded,

Jewish Family Education Jew in the Christian world by Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Especially popular during the Christmas season, Handel’s Messiah celebrates the mystery of Jesus, the messiah or redeemer in Christian tradition. The oratorio’s scriptural text traces Christian thought about God’s promises of redemption from the

Jew in the Christian world Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Observer “Toe bone connected to the foot bone, foot bone connected to the heel bone…” Inspired by the prophet Ezekiel’s visit to the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezek. 37), the lyrics of this spiritual offer a lively invitation

Jew in the Christian World Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer The most widely-known images of the afterlife are ancient Egypt’s impressive mummies, statues, and tomb paintings. Their purpose was to maintain, nourish, and guide the human’s spiritual essence — still attached to the body

Jew in the Christian world  Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer During a book discussion that raised questions about Jewish history, rituals, and beliefs, one of the Christian attendees said to me, “Thank you so much for your comments. I’ve met Jewish people before, but

New series: The Jew in the Christian World Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer What can we learn from a house of worship? Interested in exploring a variety of religious experiences, my friend Atarah recently visited a nearby church. She noted that there was a