These past few days have been wonderfully eventful!  We welcomed beautiful Naomi Elizabeth, our new granddaughter into the world.  With perfect skin and lots of dark hair, Naomi was greeted by four generations of waiting family including big brother, two year old Kyle.

Now I jump into Bubbie mode; cooking, feeding, diaper changing, babysitting, shlepping and playing with my favorite 2 year old.  It's the greatest exhausting job I can't get enough of!  What a blessing!

Art To Help Women

This month, I created an original work of art for Jewish Women International, an organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence.  JWI's work changes the lives of women in crises, comes to the aid of their children and works for Tikkun Olam, the reparation of the world.  As JWI's 2012 Mother's Day Flower Project Artist, I am proud to be associated with JWI and its work.

Best,
Connie

Please check out this link to learn more about JWI and to see my original oil painting:   http://www.jwi.org/page.aspx?pid=1317

HAPPY TU B'SHEVAT!

HAPPY TU B’SHEVAT!  

Did you know that it’s A Time To.... Celebrate again?   Or more precisely, A Time To Plant?  

Tu B’Shevat, the new year for trees is one of four new years in the Jewish calendar, occurring on the 15th of the month of Shevat.  “Tu” stands for the Hebrew letters signifying 15 and B’Shevat means “of Shevat.”

This year, that means we celebrate from sunset on Tuesday, February 7th through nightfall of the following day.

I love that we Jews celebrate nature.  I also love what trees represent, that each generation provides for the next.  As the Talmud says,

“Just as my parents planted for me, so I plant for my children.”

Why not plant something today with your child?   A flower, an herb or just the idea that we can partner with God in creation and appreciate the beauty of nature!

To read more about what our tradition teaches about trees, get your copy of A Time To

Be Born: A Jewish Baby Journal!