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With Love for Mr. Awesome
The relationships that are forged at Jewish summer camp last forever. As a URJ Jacobs Camp camper, staff member, and camper-parent for many years, I’ve enjoyed using Facebook to reconnect with those...
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Synagogues: Also Ask “How?”
I read with interest and appreciation Ben Greenberg’s recent post “Synagogues: Begin with Why.” Lately, I’ve been thinking about the same phrase, but substituting the “Why” with “How.” Volunteers at...
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“Southern & Jewish” Does Not Mean “Less Jewish”
My family flew to Los Angeles two weeks ago to attend the funeral of my father-in-law, z’’l. We had been with him for a visit in December, and we are grateful for these good and recent memories. He was...
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Graduation 2015: A [Jewish] Family Affair
This graduation season, my family is celebrating not one, not two, but three graduations. Our oldest, Alana, graduated from Indiana University. Our middle child, Jacob, graduated from high school. And...
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Our Mississippi Rosh Hashanah Table
As the holidays approach, I begin to prepare. I pull out all the cookbooks to see what new and exciting recipe I can create for the family. I walk through the house, planning the layout. We’ll have to...
View ArticleFriday Night Lights Vs… Friday Night Lights
“Where’s your family?” A friendly “old timer” asked me at Friday night services a couple of weeks ago. When you’re a member of a smaller congregation, like our home synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi,...
View ArticleGiving Gelt: Starting A Family Giving Circle This Season (Part 1)
Thanksgiving 2015: We had a full house down here in Jackson, Mississippi, with all of our kids home for the holiday. It was wonderful to spend quality time talking about college, internships, school...
View ArticleA Painting of Pain & The Responsibility of Remembrance
As we prepare to commemorate Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, I’ve been thinking about my father- in- law, Leon Schipper, z’’l. Leon grew up in Germany, and was still a boy when he fled to Belgium...
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Giving Gelt: Starting A Family Giving Circle (Part 2)
Around Hanukkah this past year, my family decided to start our own giving circle. Sitting around the kitchen table, armed with the Amplifier Giving Circle participant workbook for each member of the...
View ArticleDon’t Forget This Important Holiday Gift
This is a crazy time of year. Life is hectic. We’re working and scheduling those last few very important meetings before “EVERYONE” is on vacation through the end of 2016. We’re running out to (or...
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A Long Overdue Visit
Clarksdale, Mississippi. To fans of the blues, Clarksdale is the birthplace of the great Sam Cook, “A Change is Gonna Come,” and of course, site of the legendary crossroads of Hwy 61 and 49 where...
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Shopping for a Southern Seder
Shopping for Passover items can be challenging in small Southern towns – and I’m sure there are others around the country who can relate to this as well. When you’re outside of a major metropolitan...
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The Choice We Made: Confirmation & Commitment to Community
As a parent of teenagers, there are times when you make decisions for your kids and there are times when you empower them to make their own decisions. A recent conversation around the dinner table at...
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Race Matters: Reflections from a White Southern Jewish Mother
Joe Crachiola/Courtesy of The Macomb Daily I’ve been thinking a lot about race lately. Many others have, too, in the aftermath of George Zimmerman’s acquittal – but I’ve also heard plenty of people...
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Can Newcomers “Revive” Small Southern Jewish Communities? Maybe That’s Not...
At the ISJL, we’re often asked about all things “Southern” and “Jewish” – so it was no surprise that we received several inquiries regarding a recent article posted on JTA, headlined “Jewish newcomers...
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Thoughts on the #Shutdown: “For Our Nation And Its Rulers”…
I was listening to National Public Radio on the way into work this morning, hearing more and more details of the government shutdown. We are now into day three, and quite frankly it seems to be an...
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Why I Let My Jewish Kids Trick-or-Treat
Below, Michele Schipper explains why she lets her kids trick-or-treat. To hear from another Jewish mom with a different perspective, check out “Why I Don’t Let My Kids Trick-or-Treat.” What happens...
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The 4 Questions of Thanksgiving
As I get ready for my Southern family’s traditional Thanksgiving celebration, which this year will overlap our celebration of Hanukkah… well, there’s been all this talk of “Thanksgivukkah,” but right...
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“Michele’s Banana Pudding”
Traditions around food are something that is near and dear to my stomach (I mean my heart). My childhood memories of holiday meals always included a Jell-O mold and a delicious coffee cake. My mother...
View ArticleMazel Tov: You Won a Medal!
As you may know, I like sports. I don’t want to brag but I was quite the athlete during my summers at the URJ Jacobs Camp in Utica, Mississippi [pause for laughter]. Just so you know, camp friends: I...
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