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Latest Milestones
Milestones
The Power of Yizkor
Rebbetzin Shira Smiles
Milestones
Life and Death 
Rebbetzin Shira Smiles
Milestones
Home, Holy Home: Chanukas Habayis   
Rebbetzin Shira Smiles
Milestones
Sheva Brachos: Bottling the Joy
Rebbetzin Shira Smiles
Milestones
The Chuppah: Epicenter of a Marriage
Rebbetzin Shira Smiles
Split
Split: Chapter 10
People expected me to have a holy perspective about our children’s conditions from the beginning
Musia Slavin
Split
Split: Chapter 8
At nine days old — an incredibly young age for a child with both a cleft lip and a cleft palate! — they weaned Tali off the feeding tube
Musia Slavin
Family Matters
The Fading Light: Chapter 24
He always thought of everything, so I didn’t have to. Now it was my job, and it was daunting
Joan Zlotnick
Family Matters
A Fading Light: Chapter 23
At a particular stage of my husband’s illness, it became clear that the shul we were attending no longer met our needs
Joan Zlotnick
Theme Section: Open Secrets
Open Secrets
So many of us carry secrets — some heavy, some light. Some that mean nothing, and some that change everything. Six writers tell stories of secrets kept, shared, and revealed
Family First Contributors
For Keeps: Rosh Hashanah Theme 5783
Standing Guard
I can see the shul from my dining room window. The idea that it was so close, yet so far, was too much to bear
Binyomin Yudin 
For Keeps: Rosh Hashanah Theme 5783
No Greater Treasure     
“He would be killed just for having it in his possession. But a Torah is a Torah and my father was determined to save it”
Sandy Eller
Sisters Share
Sisters Share: Meet the Girls
In this new column, we’ll meet wonderful girls who all have siblings with special needs, and they’ll share with us how they feel about being “special” sisters
C. Rosen
Discover more
More Milestones
Milestones
Veiled Blessings: The Badeken

What is the significance of the badeken ceremony practiced in Ashkenazic communities?

By Rebbetzin Shira Smiles

Milestones
A Foundational Shabbos      

What makes the Shabbos before the wedding so special?

By Rebbetzin Shira Smiles

Milestones
Birthdays

Happy birthday? How grown are you now?

By Rebbetzin Shira Smiles

Milestones
Day of Light: Bar and Bas Mitzvah

The yoke of mitzvos is an adornment, not a burden

By Rebbetzin Shira Smiles

Milestones
Gratitude and Focus 

The pidyon haben ceremony underscores our special role as the chosen nation

By Rebbetzin Shira Smiles

Milestones
Upsheren    

What is the significance of this moment? What are some customs connected to this upsheren or chalakah ceremony?

By Rebbetzin Shira Smiles