Two years ago, we picked up an 8-week-old ball of fluff that changed our lives forever. Jan. 23 is “Gotcha Day.” Our three grandkids had wanted a pet and were hoping for a gerbil, until Ainsley, who was 9, said, “I don’t know why we’re talking gerbils when we should be talking puppies.” My heart melted. It’s still in a puddle. columbusjewishnews.com
The brotherhood at Congregation Beth Tikvah in Worthington will be holding its Souper Bowl Cook Off for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started with a goal of raising $10,000 to help children attend Jewish overnight summer camp. columbusjewishnews.com
When there’s no snow to play with outside, I like to make our own snow. It makes for a great sensory bin full of possibilities. Today I added a few things to the ice and made fizzy snow. It’s an easy way to add a little science exploration to your sensory play. inspirationlaboratories.com
It’s hard to believe that a tiny acorn can become a huge oak tree, but with a little help from the sun, the rain, and the earth, that’s exactly what happens. Tu B’Shevat, the birthday of the trees, is a great time to learn a bit about how trees become to be. Written and illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford. Ages 6 months to 2 years. Published by PJ Publishing. pjlibrary.org
In this week’s portion, Va’era, we recount a well-known story from our Passover seder: the 10 plagues against Egypt. The first seven of the plagues appear in this week’s portion and the last three occur in next week’s reading. Pharaoh refuses to let the Israelites leave Egypt and even increases the slaves’ suffering. God brings on the plagues and the Egyptian people begin to suffer, yet Pharaoh remains stubborn time and again. The situation becomes even more complicated when we read a troublesome phrase, “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.” columbusjewishnews.com
After making mental health a priority since taking office in early 2019, Gov. Mike DeWine has signed $175 million in mental health expenditures into law. The expenditures are divided into two tranches, according to documents provided by the Office of Budget and Management. columbusjewishnews.com
Generations of girls have grown up on “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret,” the 1970 Judy Blume middle grade coming-of-age novel. So the book’s first ever movie adaptation — which we’ve been eagerly waiting for since it was first announced half a decade ago — has a lot to live up to. Luckily, based on the movie’s first trailer, our hopes are as high as ever. kveller.com
The most gratifying requirement of being a Jewish mother is having a chicken soup practice. This soup doesn’t have to be an original recipe or contain secrets that make it the best. It honestly doesn’t even have to be that great — you just need to make it, because no matter what, your kids and your kids’ kids will both need it and love it. myjewishlearning.com
