New Jewish Settlement Approved in the West Bank

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For the first time in 25 years, a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank has been fully approved by the Israeli government. It’s called “Amichai” and will provide a home to 40 families that were displaced when their former settlement was deemed illegal (ridiculous, I know! No Jewish settlement in the Jewish State should ever be illegal).

Those of us who want to keep Israel whole, see this settlement, developing in a continually fought-over area, to be nothing less than a miracle. With each new settlement that builds up, the chance for a divided Jerusalem and/or a two-state solution goes way, way down. Very good news, indeed!

5 Pool Safety Tips Every Parent Needs to Know

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Pools have a reputation for being all about fun, but we often overlook the potential danger. In only 20 seconds, a child can drown! Most of us, me included, know someone who has died in a drowning accident. The pain caused by that type of untimely death is almost unbearable. As parents, it is vital that we take the necessary precautions. Here are 5 important tips for pool safety:

1. Parent Supervision

Proactive observation is the number one way to prevent drownings. That means sitting close to the pool with your full attention on the child—not talking on the phone, reading, texting, or doing anything that distracts. Make sure to do regular headcounts and step in if playtime gets too rowdy. If you’re in a group, it can be helpful to designate a Water Watcher, and change shifts every 15 minutes.

Supervision is critical, but it unfortunately can and does fail, which is why additional layers of protection are needed. 

2. High locks on doors and windows

Locks installed up high and out of the reach of children should be on every door and window that leads to the pool area. Some drownings happen because a parent didn’t know their child had figured out the door knob, so don’t rely on the door being shut. Any pet doors that grant access to the pool should also be shut securely.

3. Safety Fence

Many cities and towns mandate fences with good reason. Even if yours doesn’t require it, the peace of mind provided by installing a fence is priceless. Fences should be at least 4 feet tall and have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Mesh pool safety fences, like Life Saver Pool Fence, have proven to be extremely effective. 

4. Alarms

Unlike what movies show with kids screaming for help and thrashing in the water, most drownings tend to be silent. Alarms break that silence. There are many alarm options to choose from—door/window alarms, alarms that sit in the pool, and one worn directly on the child. 

5. Swimming Lessons

As soon parents and pediatricians feel comfortable, a child should receive swimming lessons. There is no “magic age” to start, and truly, the younger the better! Some organizations even offer training for infants. Check what’s available in your local area. In my family, everyone knows how to swim, started young, and has no fear of the water.

While these 5 tips can help to prevent most tragedies, there is no method that will stop 100% of them. Knowing CPR can be a big benefit if something awful does occur and it’s easy to get trained. CPR classes are held around the country, often for free. Ones that do charge have a nominal fee that’s worth every penny.

 
 
 
What is your best pool safety tip?
 

Jewish Millennial Project

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The San Diego Jewish Journal has created a Jewish Millennial Project. Instead of going by anonymous survey data and stats, they are actively seeking young Jews to discuss their personal feelings and lifestyle.

After hearing endless scary talk that Millennials are anti-God and anti-religion, this study proves that is truly not the case. I do think this generation is less observant than older folks, but that doesn’t mean they have no Jewish identity at all (far from it when you actually read the bios).

One of the most interesting points raised is that Millennials observe differently because they live differently than their parents and grandparents. They’re more likely to be single and/or childless, switch jobs more frequently, and move around more often. We have to remember that the activities, programs, and general structure of Synagogue life is geared towards traditional families. Because most Millennials aren’t living in traditional families, the classic model may not work for them. The spiritual hunger and need for community, however, is timeless, and so long as we can reach out to the younger folks, in a way that speaks to them, they will participate in Jewish life.

When the “Oppressed” Discriminate against Others

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Try to wrap your mind around this curious case of prejudice: Lesbian marchers were kicked out of a Chicago Gay Pride parade for carrying Star of David flags.

An organizer claims they were told to leave because the flags “made people feel unsafe,” adding that the march was “anti-Zionist” and “pro-Palestinian.” The article also states that American flags were reportedly discouraged. (Yes, you read that right. American flags being displayed in America is now considered offensive to some!)

While this is clearly the position of an extremist group within the gay community, such glaring hypocrisy is laughable. No group has tried harder to push their own cause than the Gay Rights lobby. They demand that everyone accommodate them, regardless of individual preference or religious beliefs, yet they themselves get to pick and choose which political ideas are allowed at an event—a move that does nothing but undermine their own efforts.

If someone truly believes in freedom for all—and I certainly do!—they don’t make distinctions. Public events should include every group, not just a handful of folks who want to advance their own agenda. I know of numerous cases where other parades were forced to include gay marchers. If they demand inclusion, shouldn’t they extend the same courtesy to others?

Personally, I can’t stand such fighting and pettiness. I have no problem with gay marchers joining the Israel Pride parades and it’s very hurtful and bewildering that they would deny the Jewish lesbians their free expression. Does it matter if someone is gay or straight? Of course not! Does it matter if someone is Jewish or Gentile? No! We’re all Americans and we should try to be more understanding and accommodating of each other’s differences.