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.

Anyone in the Atlanta area, please be on the lookout for a missing Jewish lady. Her name is Jenna Van Gelderen and she hasn’t been spotted since August 19th. Understandably, her family is in a complete panic. In a twist straight out of a horror movie, they returned from vacation to find their daughter gone, her car also gone, and their house trashed. She is 25-years-old, but suffers from Autism and may need medical help.

They have started a Facebook Group that’s posting regular updates. Let’s try to share this info with as many people as possible so Jenna can be found!

If you live in the local area, consider showing support by attending a candlelit vigil at 7:30 PM tonight, hosted by Congregation Shearith Israel.

Jewish youngsters get a bad reputation for being over privileged and apathetic, but Sydney Kamen is living proof that doesn’t have to be the case. This young lady became a philanthropist when she was only 14-years-old! It all started during Hanukkah 2004 when her mother encouraged Sydney and her sister to forgo gifts and donate to a charity instead.

That led to Sydney’s interest in doing service missions, first to Haiti and then to Thailand, where she learned that the most basic hygiene items were beyond the reach of many citizens.

She then approached luxury hotels, asking for donations of unused soap. Four years later, the project now has 13 hotel suppliers and 14 community partners in countries such as India, Myanmar and Kenya, and has produced and distributed over 50,000 bars of recycled soap.

Did I mention this young lady is now only 20-years-old?! In addition to her charity work, she attends Dartmouth College and is a member of ROTC.

I am very impressed with everything she has accomplished—more than those who are twice her age. Sometimes we don’t give enough credit to the younger members of the Jewish community. I think they truly do care, and if we encourage and assist them, they can do great things.

We all need a place to go to that nourishes our spiritual side. In the past, that has usually been a synagogue. But what if you’re unaffiliated, either by choice or by default? What if you’re working constantly and can’t find time to attend services? What if you’re a Millennial who doesn’t feel comfortable in a traditional setting?

If you’re living in the New York area, the Manhattan Jewish Experience will be ideal.

Created by Rabbi Mark Wildes, The MJE is geared towards young Jewish professionals of any observance level, whether it’s Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox, who want to meet new people and experience social, cultural, spiritual and educational events.

Offering a slew of activities throughout the week at different locations, there are opportunities to fit everyone’s unique schedules and interests, many of which are fun, fresh and exciting—drinks and dinner, Shabbat lunches in the park, painting lessons, ski trips, Hebrew classes and shwarma, lively group discussions, holiday celebrations, and much more.

Rabbi Mark was kind enough to provide further insight:

“New Yorkers are currently experiencing the “Summer of Hell”, the latest term that has been applied to the disastrous state of the MTA and the LIRR. It seems impossible to get from point A to point B in this city without hearing “due to a switch malfunction all trains are delayed.” Interestingly enough, sometimes our spirituality has the same switch malfunctions…and similar train delays. We don’t know how to recharge or how to find a solution. My answer is not simply “keep Shabbat” although that would be a good place to start.

“We come from a religion that is grounded in years of intellectualism and community. Our culture has natural places to slip into when you’re feeling overwhelmed from the surrounding dog-eat-dog world or if you never seem to be able to solve the switch malfunction at the station of reality street and spirituality avenue. The Manhattan Jewish Experience tries to help solve these issues by immersing you in a community with people who are looking to unplug, enjoy themselves, and take advantage of a Jewish spirituality that is always nourishing.

“Our events attract professionals in their twenties and thirties from across Manhattan and throughout the Tri-State area. Every summer, we have a monthly happy hour, usually at a rooftop bar, that focuses on networking, meeting new people, and just shooting the breeze. Our calendar is packed with events that balance the sacred and profane…the spiritual and religious…the social and the intellectual. In fact, I’d say that all of our events look for a balance like that.”

Anyone who’s interested in exploring Judaism, making new friends, and getting inspired to live a more authentic Jewish life should definitely check it out.

More information about the group and their calendar of events can be found on the website.