Author Archives: The Jewish Lady

Houston Jewish Community Ravaged by Hurricane

2 Replies

Hurricane Harvey’s wake of destruction is still wreaking havoc in Houston, with no end in sight for many. An article that focuses solely on the Jewish community warns that recovery efforts could take years, not just weeks or months.

A few of the heartbreaking highlights from that article include:

  • 63,700 Jews, including 12,000 seniors, were effected
  • Three of the city’s five major synagogues suffered significant damage
  • Seventy-one percent of the community live in areas that had high flooding
  • Kosher food supply is dangerously low
  • Local Jewish camps are housing refugees forced to evacuate their homes

With many charities stretched to the max, it’s hard to fathom what will happen if Hurricane Irma is even worse. I have many friends and family that live in Florida, and they have told me that the situation is absolutely awful. Don’t let a case of “Donor Fatigue” prevent you from making a difference. Even a small box of supplies will be helpful and that doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Many Jewish groups like Chabad and local Federations are doing an amazing job with relief efforts, but they truly can’t do it alone. We should all give, in any way we can, no matter how modestly.

Would You Like a Rosh Hashanah Card from Me?

Leave a reply

When I was growing up, we used to receive tons of Rosh Hashanah cards in the mail. All year long, it was something neat that I looked forward to. As they came in, I saved each one and then taped them together into a huge collage. This tradition was started by my Grandmother who encouraged everyone else to carry it on.

Nowadays, with text and email, so few people actually have the time or interest to send paper cards. Any “Happy New Year” greeting is appreciated, but there is something much more special about opening the mail box and finding a surprise waiting there.

So, instead of just wishing and waiting for it to happen, I want to start. If any of my dear readers would like a personalized card for the High Holidays, I would be very happy to add your name to my list. Just leave a comment or send me an email at  thejewishladyblog@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you shortly.

Up All Night? “The Nocturnal Journal” is Worth Reading

Leave a reply

As someone who has battled insomnia for over 20 years, I’ve tried pretty much everything available to induce sleepiness—Nyquil, Lavender oil, white noise machine, eyeshades, melatonin, eliminating blue light, special sheets, etc.

I’ve had limited success with individual products and with using them in conjunction, but some nights, no matter what I do, I simply am too wound up to get any rest. Typically, that results in a Netflix binge session, which occupies my time, but does little to quiet my mind.

The Nocturnal Journal, a new book by author Lee Crutchley, provides a good alternative for the occasionally and chronically sleepless. While it’s labeled a journal, I consider it more of an activity book, and the subtitle “A Late Night Exploration of What’s Really on Your Mind,” reflects that. The book doesn’t put you to sleep, it helps you figure out why you can’t.

Packed with leading questions, word associations, letter-writing prompts, fun lists, and thought-provoking ideas, The Nocturnal Journal is part distraction, part self-help. I found the activities to be soothing and entertaining. Certain pages that discuss bad memories or fears tend to wind me up, so I avoid those, but there is a lot of good material in the whole book and it’s easy to pick and choose which pages will work for you.

My favorite section is a blank page that’s entitled “Fill This Box With All of Your Worries.” It’s true that minor things can seem major when we’re alone in the middle of the night, and having the opportunity to scribble it out was a such a relief. The funny part is that my #1 worry was: I’m so tired, yet I can’t sleep! Another section I really enjoyed was made for adult coloring. I am terrible at drawing, but pulling out the colored pencils is fun anyway, even if it looks like a mess.

An entertaining reading and writing prompt to quiet down an overactive brain, Insomniacs, teens that refuse to go to bed, and creative/artistic types will love The Nocturnal Journal. It would also be a great addition to a carry-on bag for a red eye flight. 

Frivolous Kosher & Halal Lawsuits

Leave a reply

Anyone who’s ever eaten at a fast food restaurant knows that your meal is not prepared with loving care. The goal is to serve customers as quickly as possible, which often results in mixed up orders that contain low quality junk.

That’s why I’m surprised about two lawsuits recently filed in Detroit. Customers who follow Kosher and Halal diets claim that they were served bacon at KFC and Denny’s. Do I doubt their sincerity? Absolutely not. I’ve eaten plenty of fast food in my life and 9 times out of 10, something goes wrong, particularly if you place a special order. Many fast food workers are teens who pay no attention to detail. Good luck getting something as simple as extra pickles, let alone trying to explain complicated dietary laws to someone who has no idea what they are, nor do they understand why it’s important.

While I believe that reasonable accommodations should be made, there’s no way to ensure that a commercial kitchen can prevent cross contamination 100% of the time. Anyone I know who is strict about their diet, whether it’s Kosher, Vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free, simply will not eat out at a conventional restaurant. In a perfect world, everyone would get what they want, when they want it. But you truly can’t expect to order from a dollar menu and think that you’ll receive a gourmet dish. It’s just not reality.

In both lawsuits, the customers admit when they complained, Denny’s and KFC offered to remake their food and/or return their money. That demonstrates that it was not ill intent, just the typical bad service/bad food we have all come to expect in a modern world that’s rife with cost-cutting measures and overworked, untrained staff. 

My guess is that both suits will be dismissed, due to a lack of merit.