Donna Gordon Blankinship

Celebrate Israel Closer to Home

Published on May 5, 2005

Here are my top 10 tips for celebrating Israel Independence Day:

Creative Chuppahs Are Labor of Love

Published on November 11, 2004

Nancy Goldov says the chuppah cost a few hundred dollars to make, but is now considered a priceless family heirloom. She is having a quilt made for their bed that mimics the design of the tree. Someday she may change the chuppah in some way to signify their children.

Create a Bridal Look That’s Made for You

Published on November 11, 2004

Both brides were beautiful and the dress was a focal point each time, thanks to the loving restoration work by dressmaker Camila Sigelmann, who made it possible for Amee Huppin Sherer to be married in Grandma Marian Huppin's 1925 wedding gown.

Seattle Reform Camp Gets L.A. Support

Published on May 27, 2004

The Kalsman-Levy family has donated $5 million to the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) to buy the property for a new camp in Washington state. Camp Kalsman, named for grandparents Lee and Irving "Red" Kalsman, will become the movement's 13th camp in North America.

Adding Mitzvah Multiplies Simcha

Published on May 13, 2004

Sometimes the smallest details are the ones that make the biggest impression.

Zen and the Art of Homemade Gefilte Fish

Published on April 1, 2004

I added a new experience to my Passover preparation last year. In addition to counting the haggadahs, practicing the Four Questions with my daughter, inviting guests, shopping and cleaning the house, I made gefilte fish from scratch for the first time ever.

Neither my mother nor any of my grandmothers had felt the need to initiate me into the gefilte fish sorority, even though I know they all had this experience. After trying it myself for the first time, I think I may have a good idea why they decided not to pass on this tradition. I went in with blind and irrational optimism after watching the instructor at a cooking class make it look so easy. Here's what I learned.