Are Texas Schools Discriminating Against Jewish Children?

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A Texas mother has gone public with an unusual demand that she received from her daughter’s North Texas school district: provide documentation that your family is Jewish.

It all stems from requesting an excused absence for Yom Kippur—something which is done routinely around the world, usually without hassle. The school’s insistence was puzzling to her (with good reason). After sharing her experience with local friends, she found out that other area schools were also asking for proof of Jewish identity for students (none had ever experienced anything like it before this year’s High Holidays).

Since the school’s own handbook states that religious holidays are excused, she confronted the principal, who immediately backed down and offered an apology.  

I doubt this was intentional discrimination, but it was definitely insensitive and probably demeaning for those who were affected personally. Outside of metro areas, there is still a lack of awareness and parents need to watch carefully. Definitely not cool!

3 Apple Recipes in 1 Day: Rings, Roast, and Muffins

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Having a bushel of apples on hand put me in a creative mood. Would you believe I’ve devoted the day to tinkering with apple recipes? It’s true and it was so much fun. 

First up was Fried Caramel Apple Rings for breakfast. Definitely a sugar overload, with both caramel and powdered sugar, but very tasty. 

For lunch, I made an Apple-Glazed Roasted Chicken that turned out perfectly—no surprise since it was a Better Homes & Gardens recipes. Everything they make is always good. 

After such a big breakfast and a filling lunch, I left the house to do some errands, and then it was right back to the kitchen, to mix up some Apple Muffins, which will be for packed lunches and possibly tomorrow’s breakfast, too. I did adjust these slightly, by adding chopped walnuts and extra cinnamon. They came out moist and the kitchen smells heavenly.

And that, my friends, was my day—3 new-to-me apple recipes that I would definitely make again. 

 

Have you done any baking lately?

Single Jewish Mothers Face Significant Challenges

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Nobody would claim that being a single parent is easy, but it may be far worse than imagined. An article from The Jewish News of Northern California details the sad reality of Jewish moms in the Bay Area. The average survey participant was a 47-year-old lady with an 8-year-old who has a master’s degree, works full time, and earns about $50,000 per year.

Even though they’re well educated, they are not making enough to live. Single parent households are twice as likely to be poor, struggle to meet basic expenses, and often have zero savings. In California, which has an extremely high cost of living, the stats are even worse.

This financial insecurity is preventing them from participating in Jewish life, unable to afford Hebrew school and temple dues, leaving many of these ladies isolated and unfulfilled spiritually.

Though I was aware of the scary poverty numbers for single moms, what surprised me most about this study was the amount of single mothers by choice. Quite a few have never been married and literally couldn’t afford their babies while they were still in utero.

None of us can see into the future and there is no guarantee that a relationship will last forever. Any lady who is divorced should never be judged or blamed. She has tried her best to do the right thing. Ladies who intentionally go it alone, however, are extremely irresponsible. 

There is a reason why it takes one man and one woman to create a child—two parents are needed! God does not intend for us to bear the responsibility alone; that’s why families are required. As ladies, we have total control over who fathers our children and whether or not to marry that man. Having a child outside of wedlock is the greatest threat to women and children—financially, spiritually, emotionally, etc. 

Should the Jewish community reach out to single moms and their kids? Of course. Should there be scholarships and reduced fees for participation? Yes. I don’t want anyone shunned or stigmatized, but we must not encourage that lifestyle, nor should we pretend it’s okay to have a baby on your own. We need to get back to basics, with an emphasis on traditional family life, just as the Torah commands. 

Far from being glamorous, the life of a single mother seems incredibly dreary. It is impossible to be both mother and father. Anyone who claims otherwise is in total denial. Single parenthood should be the exception, not the rule.

Groceries for $26.00 Per Week: Cheap but Not Healthy

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Living on a Dime is one of the frugal sites that I enjoy. They’re a mother-daughter duo that’s been writing for the last two decades and many of their tips and recipes are super.

One particular post, however, is just total nonsense. Cheap Healthy Family Meal Ideas – Feed A Family Of 4 For $26 Per Week is only partially true: Yes, it’s cheap, but it’s not healthy. 

Let’s take a look at their suggested Shopping List with prices:

  • bread  $2
  • ham – $2
  • lettuce – $1
  • rice – $1
  • oatmeal – $1
  • potatoes – $2
  • bananas – $1
  • apples – $2
  • 2 packages frozen veggies – $2
  • 1 bag baby carrots – $1
  • 4-5 lbs. Chicken thighs – $3 
  • 2 dozen eggs – $3
  • spaghetti – $1
  • spaghetti sauce – $1
  • cream of chicken  – $1
  • peanut butter – $2

Obviously, I would remove the ham and the cream of chicken soup to start. Otherwise, I don’t have a problem with the foods they recommend, but those items alone do not comprise a well-rounded meal plan, especially when they’re dividing the food to feed 4 people for 21 meals.

Can I buy a loaf of bread for $2.00? Yes, the high sugar Wonder Bread kind that’s low in fiber. Spaghetti sauce in the can is too salty and full of junk chemicals. Even the $1.00 lettuce, which would be iceberg, is the least desirable kind. $0.69/Lb. chicken is a rare sale. One bag of carrots and 2 bags of mixed veggies for an entire week is a terrible idea and does not meet nutritional guidelines.

If a family is on a very restricted budget, it would make sense to serve simple meals. Eggs and oatmeal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, chicken with potatoes or spaghetti for dinner are all good, as they suggested, but that’s not enough. The potions would be too small; the food is repetitive, and there is a major lack of produce.

$26 per week would be for a true emergency, not a normal budget. The USDA Thrifty Food Family Plan is 5 times higher—$130 per week—and most families are spending much more than that. To claim otherwise is just not logical, nor does it sound appetizing. 

If a family is willing to cook and eat the majority of their meals at home, buy food that is on sale and make a detailed menu plan, food doesn’t have to be expensive. I normally spend $75 to 100, unless I’m doing a major stock-up. We eat lots of fruit, veggies, whole grains, and lean meat and go easy on desserts, packaged foods, and snacks. 

Saving money is important, but not at the expense of our health and wellbeing. I’d prefer to spend a decent amount so that our meals are actually enjoyable. Food is supposed to be a pleasure, after all! There is a difference between being frugal and being a miser. Let’s not push an extreme mindset that’s impossible to follow long term and sacrifices our comfort and wellbeing. 

 

How low can you go when it comes to groceries?