Perhaps the thought of designing your own invitation sounds intimidating. Perhaps you could spot that perfect invitation when you saw it, but you never dreamed of taking on the daunting task of creating your own.
But, you don’t have to be a graphic designer or artist to create a unique wedding, bar or bat mitzvah invitation. Sometimes “designing” an invitation is simply the natural outflow of Continue reading
When a run-of-the-mill gift just isn’t going to cut it for your hard-to-buy-for parent, wife, young bar or bat mitzvah, Sweet 16 or bride-to-be, perhaps a custom piece is the answer.
So where do you start?
Your mother’s jewelry box, china cabinet or closet may hold the key. Chances are Continue reading
Photos by Susan Nieman and Norman Gilbert Photography, llc
Fur is in. Vests, hats, scarves, shawls, earmuffs, teddy bears, jackets in all shapes and lengths and even blankets!
Jim Holloway, Master Furrier
When I walked into Holloway Furs in East Memphis this fall to do a photo shoot, I was hooked. The hardest part was deciding which type of fur I liked the most – mink, beaver, Continue reading
Gratz College launched a new Master of Arts degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, the only one of its kind that can be completed entirely online. The new program is particularly aimed at teachers, for whom it will provide a tool for combating racism and intolerance, often accompanied by violence, pervasive in our schools. Full-time public and private school educators will benefit from a substantial tuition discount. The program is Continue reading
Arielle and Josh Hay of Riverdale, New York
Today, it seems everyone knows someone who met their significant other on JDate. What started in 1997 as a divorced, middle-aged businessman’s attempt to attract a Jewish wife, has grown exponentially across the globe, now connecting more than 750,000 Jews worldwide in search of love. JDate’s mission statement is “to strengthen the Jewish community and ensure that Jewish traditions are sustained for generations to come” and, placed in the context of the rising tide of interfaith marriage, JDate has become an undeniable force in helping Jews meet other Jews and building Jewish families. In fact, a recent study confirms that JDate is responsible for more Jewish marriages than all other dating sites combined. Continue reading
Phil Elson originally wrote this article for a minor league baseball magazine on June 13, 2003.
Prologue by his mother-in-law, Ellyn Polsky
Julie and Phil Elson were married in 2006
Julie Polsky saw Phil’s profile and photo on JDate.com the night before she moved from St. Louis to Little Rock. Her friend’s brother had subscribed, so Julie and friend Karen checked out the possibilities. Phil was the only one of interest. When Julie arrived in Little Rock she inquired of several people if they knew of a broadcaster named Phil Elson. Since Phil had only been in Little Rock for about six months, no one really knew him. Some thought he was on TV announcing sports or reporting the weather. Phil had never been on JDate before, but because he was new in town, he decided to take a chance. Julie went to several Travelers games before figuring out that Phil must be the guy in the announcers’ box. Julie remembered his profile picture and recognized Phil when she saw him in person. When I questioned her, she told me that she wouldn’t have gone out with him if he were a total stranger.:) They married on Nov. 6, 2006, and are now are the proud parents of a two and a half-year-old-daughter and are expecting their second baby in the spring.
Binoculars
By Phil Elson
Every self-respecting member of a press box has a pair. Binoculars are an integral part of a broadcaster’s equipment. Some guys have huge binoculars that help them count how Continue reading
David Miller does not make decisions quickly nor is he receptive to change. He is a creative soul with a heart of gold and has a knack for putting off the simple or most important things in life. He is my son, and of course, perfect.
Holly Garrison is organized, punctual and makes detailed plans. She has even been known to pencil in movie night. Lucky for David, Holly is also patient, loving and is David’s soul mate.
So, when David kneeled on the porch of their newly purchased home in Nashville, Tenn., Continue reading
Joyce Friedman of Franklin, TN and Barbara Polansky of Rockville, Maryland
“It has been a childhood dream of mine to be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah, “daughter of the commandment,” said Joyce E. Friedman of Franklin, Tennessee. She finally had her chance at age 54.
While today, Reform Jewish girls commonly perform this Jewish ceremony at the age of 13, that wasn’t always the case. Friedman grew up in Memphis and was raised studying Continue reading
Creepy headstone place cards guided guests to tables.
“Josh knew right away that he wanted his party to be ghoulish and gothic and his guests in costume,” said mom Laurie “Since Halloween is not a Jewish holiday, we steered clear of any mention of that word and were careful about choosing colors.”
Josh wasn’t concerned with the details. He knew his mom would give him and his guests a weekend to remember. Laurie chose red and black and used a logo to tie all of the events Continue reading
It sounds like the beginning of a joke: a former Catholic, two sets of sisters and a Wall Street banker step into a coffee house for bar mitzvah lessons. But the only smiles here are on the faces of the 30-plus young adults who are taking a giant step in connecting to their heritage, the majority for the first time.
“You hear about how the Birthright Israel trips change lives, but you wonder how long it lasts,” said Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff of the Jewish Enrichment Center (JEC) in New York City who guides the lessons. “But then all these people who went to Israel come in the door and you begin to hear their stories. In this group alone we have a woman who told me Continue reading
