I am that person in the back of the ambulance being rushed after a fall to the hospital,
Though thankfully without the wailing siren.
I am the patient lying helpless and weak in the hospital bed (turns out there were multiple fractures),
The one I pitied but never had real empathy for.
Back at home at last, I am the Bowery bum,
Unwilling to change my shirt for four days lest I jar my injured arm.
I am the frumpily dressed woman—yes, I admit it!
Comfort comes before fashion these days.
I am the shnorer, the one I always looked down on,
Now gladly accepting meals from whoever is offering to give,
(But may I ask, extra-virgin olive oil only please!)
I am the person who had to humbly learn how endlessly caring were my family, friends, and community,
And especially how devoted was my husband, the real hero of this story.
I am the baby, pleased and excited at each new small accomplishment—
Today I loaded the dishwasher all by myself!
I am my limping Zaide, may he rest in peace, leaning on each piece of furniture as I pass by,
Just as he did when he did not have his cane.
I am the one about whom the prophet speaks,
My lips swollen from saying “enough!”
Enough to the many kindnesses—food, prayers, flowers, visits, and healing remedies—showered on me,
But mainly to G-d’s kindness, for He enabled me to learn these lessons,
And for that I praise and exalt Him.
Editor's Picks
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Dan Schnur
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
Ryan Torok
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Larry Greenfield
Latest Articles
Performative Actions Must Stop
Samuel J. Abrams
Change Is Good – A poem for Parsha Tzav
Rick Lupert
A Bisl Torah – Hope Revealed
Rabbi Nicole Guzik
The Unraveling of Candace Owens
Orit Arfa
Longing for Shushan after October Seventh
Gershon Hepner
A Moment in Time: “Thinking Outside of the Box”
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
Culture
A Love Letter to ‘The Jewish Holiday Table’
Debra L. Eckerling
Moroccan Fish: A Taste of Casablanca for Passover
Sharon Gomperts and Rachel Emquies Sheff
Katie Workman: The Mom 100, Comfort Food and Ground Turkey Tacos
Debra L. Eckerling
Print Issue: Got College? | Mar 29, 2024
March 28, 2024
With the alarming rise in antisemitism across many college campuses, choosing where to apply has become more complicated for Jewish high school seniors. Some are even looking at Israel.
Rabbis of LA | Grief Helped Pave a Career Highway for Rabbi Anne Brener
March 28, 2024
Her father died when she was an infant; when she was 23, her mother and 18-year-old sister died three months apart.
New York Jewish Couple Redefines Kosher Wine Market
March 28, 2024
“We want Jews to stop drinking terrible wines or good wines that are overpriced. They don’t need to compromise anymore.”
Campus Watch March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024
A roundup of incidents, good and bad, happening on school campuses.
Hollywood
Podcasts
Katie Workman: The Mom 100, Comfort Food and Ground Turkey Tacos
Debra L. Eckerling
Jamie Pachino: “So Help Me Todd,” Food on TV and Chocolate Chip Cake
Debra L. Eckerling