She’s a mensch

By Carin Davis
Published on June 19, 2008

In Hebrew, female nouns tend to end in "h" or "t," so what about menschah or menschat? We could stay Yiddish and call ourselves menschke or menschilah. There's also the French menschette, the Spanish menschita or the Jewish American menschess.

My True Best Feature—My Crazy Charm?

By Carin Davis
Published on August 31, 2006

Could it be that my looks only complement my true best feature -- my crazy charm?

Two Bruins Get Big Kick Out of Sun Bowl

By Carin Davis
Published on February 9, 2006

Jimmy Rotstein and Brian Rubinstein had never played in a college football game, but the 72nd annual Vitalis Sun Bowl on Dec. 30 proved to be a tale of two walk-ons for these UCLA Bruins. The second-string players not only came off the bench, they collaborated on an extra point play. UCLA beat Northwestern and, in their own way, these two athletes made a larger point about hard work and good sportsmanship.

Get Married Without Disowning Your Mom

By Carin Davis
Published on November 10, 2005

Many a wedding have lead to knockout, throw-down arguments between mother and daughter. Should it be black tie or California casual? Meat or fish? DJ or band? Should there be fewer guests at a lavish wedding or more guests at a bare-bones one? And why should cousin Sally, who the bride hasn't seen since her sweet 16, get an invite over a co-worker?

Wedding Bell Oops!

By Carin Davis
Published on October 27, 2005

Canceling a wedding has become that common these days. Just because a couple gets engaged, doesn't mean that they'll get married. It just means they've registered at Macy's.

Party Pooper

By Carin Davis
Published on September 15, 2005

My college friends Jordy and Michelle are throwing a party -- a birthday party for their 1-year-old son. That's right, my former party 'til the break of dawn dormmates are hosting a luau for their little one. This should be good.

I walk into the Hawaiian-themed rager and am overwhelmed. It's like Tot Shabbat with leis. There are a dozen kids playing on the floor. How do my friends even know this many crawlers? Where did they find them? I can only imagine they rented them from the party store along with the tiki bar and folding chairs. And who are all these new mothers?

Let the Games Begin

By Carin Davis
Published on July 7, 2005

Let the games begin -- in Israel.

The 17th World Maccabiah Games, an intense, world-class Olympic-style competition, will begin July 10 in Israel. The quadrennial games will bring together more than 7,000 Jewish athletes from 60 countries in 30 sports and four age divisions: youth, juniors, open and masters. More than 80 of those athletes hail from the greater Los Angeles area.

The Dealbreakers

By Carin Davis
Published on July 7, 2005

My blind date, Scott, likes college hoops, '80s TV and helping others. I like his cute tuchus. I'm thinkin' we'd make a fine pair of Jews. We stray from the first date playbook and follow a Santa Monica dinner with a Main Street stroll. As we walk past yet a third unique boutique on our way to get dessert (that we don't want) and more time together (which we do), Scott says those three little words that can rock a girl's world. "There's my car."

It's a PT Cruiser -- washed and waxed today, valid registration, parked less than 12 inches from the curb. No fuzzy dice, high school tassel or pine-scented Playmate air freshener. The car doesn't scream "show-off" or "shady," Speed Racer or gas guzzler. What it screams is middle-aged dad. More specifically -- my dad.

A Sporting Chanukah

By Carin Davis
Published on December 9, 2004

On the third night of Chanukah my true love gave to me, an Olympic swim cap signed by Lenny Krayzelburg, a game of Horse with the Houston Rocket's Bostjan Nachbar and a chance to be on the set of ESPN's Cold Pizza.

Thanks to the Center for Sport and Jewish Life's online Chanukah auction (www.CSJL.org), gift giving just got more interesting.

Single Woman of Valor

By Carin Davis
Published on November 25, 2004

I am a woman of valor.

But nobody is singing my weekly praises. Oh no, that's saved for the same lucky women who get the

Pottery Barn registry, the rock on their hand and a man in their bed.

According to Jewish tradition, every Shabbat, a husband sings "Eshet Chayil" -- "A Woman of Valor" (WOV) -- to his wife. This Friday night, I listened as my friend, Dan, told his wife, Jen, "Her price is far above rubies ... she's robed in strength and dignity, and cheerfully faces whatever may come." All true.

Singles ‘Curse’ Becomes a Blessing

By Carin Davis
Published on October 21, 2004

Most single women in Los Angeles go through dry spells -- a few weeks without a date, a couple months without a boyfriend, a season without some action. But how many Southland women go years without a man's touch and confess to it publicly? In her new book "The Curse of the Singles Table, A True Story of 1001 Nights Without Sex," Santa Monica resident Suzanne Schlosberg talks about her long winter and spring and summer and fall, and winter again, and spring again and, well, her long, lonely time.

"There was no end in sight," said Schlosberg, who spent more than three and a half years going on dozens of first dates, but almost never a second. "The streak started to take on a life of its own."

Set, Spike, Kiss

By Carin Davis
Published on October 14, 2004

I'll never play the violin in high heels again. OK, I'll be back in sticks in six weeks, and I never played the fiddle. But I did play an important game of volleyball.

Trendy Is New Trend in Wedding Cakes

By Carin Davis
Published on July 8, 2004

A round, three-tiered white cake topped with white buttercream frosting is so yesterday. This year's big wedding trend is the trendy wedding cake.

Modern brides are tossing out tradition along with their bouquets and matching their cake to their character. They're designing desserts in every color, shape, texture and size.

Lending a Hand at a Community Seder

By Carin Davis
Published on April 8, 2004

I'm spending Passover in Chicago -- home of the Cubs, the Bears and the whole Davis mishpachah (family). Mom's serving up chopped liver, chicken soup, matzah balls, matzah kugel, gefilte fish -- and those are just the appetizers. We'll drink wine, read the haggadah and belt out our never-ending version of "Chad Gadya."

It'll be a feast of freedom, family and what else -- food. One of my favorite holidays, Pesach does more than bring loved ones together, it brings us together with spirit.

Maccabi Athletes Take Gold in Pan Am

By Carin Davis
Published on February 5, 2004

From the fanfare of the banner-waving opening ceremonies to the pride of hearing the U.S. national anthem played during their medal ceremonies, Southern California athletes made the most of their experience at the 10th Pan American Maccabi Games. They joined over 2,000 Jewish athletes from 19 countries for the eight-day competition in Santiago, Chile.

Athletes Sport Skills in Chile

By Carin Davis
Published on January 8, 2004

Did you hear the one about the Jewish linebacker? If you did, don't tell it to Jed Margolis, executive director of Macabbi USA/Sports for Israel. "The joke is always that there are no good Jewish athletes, but that's not true, especially in Southern California," Margolis said. "Some of our Southern California Maccabi athletes are the best in their sport."

From Dec. 24, 2003-Jan. 4, 2004, 57 of those California athletes participated in the 10th annual Pan American Maccabi Games in Santiago, Chile. According to Macabbi USA, more than 2,000 Jewish athletes from 20 countries were participating, making the event larger than the Winter Olympics.

In Sickness and in Taffeta

By Carin Davis
Published on November 13, 2003

As a woman prepares to say "I do," her friends prepare to stand by her side in purple puffy dresses and lavender dyed shoes. In sickness and in health, in velour and in taffeta, in chartreuse and in lemon. As her bridesmaids, they will participate in a tradition that may be as old as Judaism itself.

Sit Down and Be Counted

By Carin Davis
Published on November 13, 2003

We've all heard the wedding hora horror stories, where the beautiful bride plummets 10 feet to the ground with a thud -- another unfortunate victim of the Jewish chair-dance tradition. Well, the MitzvahChair will put the kibosh on that newlywed nightmare.

Single Conspiracy

By Carin Davis
Published on September 18, 2003

Someone call Oliver Stone, I've uncovered a conspiracy. The system is trying to keep the single woman down. That's right, the world revolves around happy little couples. And who pays the price? I'll tell you who pays the price. Single people, that's who. And we're not going to take it anymore.

An Emergency Case

By Carin Davis
Published on June 12, 2003

Singles

Bruin Pair Ready to Battle Trojans

By Carin Davis
Published on November 21, 2002

Crosstown football rivals UCLA (7-3) and USC (8-2) will face-off in their 72nd annual battle for city bragging rights at The Rose Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 23. And leading the Bruins are Jewish senior starters Mike Seidman and Mike Saffer.

Tribemembers With Halos

By Carin Davis
Published on October 24, 2002

Two Jewish pitchers -- Al Levine and Scott Schoeneweis -- are part of this World Series' miracle, where the Anaheim Angels have made it for the first time (as of press time the series was undecided).

E-mailer at the Bat

By Carin Davis
Published on October 3, 2002

I'm a sucker for a slugger in a baseball hat. So I got caught looking at Alex, the hottie at my weekly Sunday softball game. He works for a nonprofit, volunteers at a local hospital and drinks at St. Nicks. And he has the greatest laugh.

Combatting Hunger

By Carin Davis
Published on September 26, 2002

Give a hungry man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. Give him chicken soup while fishing, you feed him, teach him and give him a taste of home.

Finding the ‘It’ Shul

By Carin Davis
Published on September 5, 2002

In Los Angeles, the happening High Holiday haunts sell out faster than Springsteen at The Forum. And the tickets cost just as much. So every fall, Jewish singletons like myself do the New Year hustle, seeking out affordable, last-minute tickets to The Main Event. About a week before the big Rosh, the calls start coming in: "Davis, where are you going to services this year?" "How are you ringing in 5763?" "What are you doing New Years, New Year's Eve?"

Tea House Therapy

By Carin Davis
Published on August 29, 2002

Tired of serving up that familiar holiday honey cake? At the Rooibos Tea House, a happy, healthy New Year starts with African red tea and red tea baked goods.

"Cooking with our tea is a delicious way to celebrate the High Holidays -- tasty and energizing," said Rooibos owner Nira Levy Maslin.

Serving Jewish Pride in L.A.

By Carin Davis
Published on August 15, 2002

Jewish tennis players served up a strong presence at this summer's Los Angeles-based pro tournaments, with Israelis Harel Levy, Noam Okun and Anna Smashnova participating in recent Southland competitions.

Combatting Hunger

By Carin Davis
Published on June 6, 2002

Give a hungry man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. Give him chicken soup while fishing, you feed him, teach him and give him a taste of home.

Jewish Fans Fill Dodger Stands

By Carin Davis
Published on May 30, 2002

"Hot dogs! Get your glatt kosher hot dogs."

Not your typical vendor cry? Not your typical Dodgers game.

The fourth annual Jewish Community Day at Dodger Stadium boasted an Israeli and American flag color guard, a reserved section filled with as many kippot as baseball caps, and a 10-1 Los Angeles victory over the Montreal Expos. Despite overcast skies, hundreds of Jewish Angelenos turned out on May 19 to enjoy America's favorite pastime.

Synagogue’s Biggest Hit

By Carin Davis
Published on May 30, 2002

It's 20-19 in the seventh, two outs, runners on first and third. The unrelenting Valley sun beats down on four-time league champions Temple Judea, who have allowed Kol Tikvah Black to score three runs in the game's final inning and narrow the margin to one. With a clean crack of the bat, the Kol Tikvah hitter connects with the pitch. Victory, bragging rights and synagogue pride cling to the long fly ball. But an outstretched Judea glove snags the fly, and with it the week's win.

Ziegler’s Elite Eight

By Carin Davis
Published on May 16, 2002

Three bouncers, two lawyers and a musician among them, the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies class of 2002 brings a new leadership to the Conservative movement this week with the ordination of eight rabbis. From backgrounds as different as the paths on which they are about to embark, together Mark Ankcorn, Micah Caplan, Andrea Haney, Daniel Greyber, Baruch HaLevi, Barry Leff, Eric Rosin and Ranon Teller received ordination on Monday, May 17.

Israel in the Arab Mind

By Carin Davis
Published on April 25, 2002

As tensions in the Middle East soar, many Jewish Angelenos search for answers to the generations-old question: Can there ever be peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors?

LARAM

By Carin Davis
Published on April 25, 2002

Three men storm the gym and force us to the ground: Our hearts race as they press mock guns to our heads.

But as students of LARAM, we know we have options. We have tools to neutralize our aggressors -- during this in-class drill and during true-life attacks.

The Safe Spot

By Carin Davis
Published on April 25, 2002

"How do you explain breast cancer to your 3 1/2-year-old son?" asked Susan Cohen of Woodland Hills. "How does your spouse feel about becoming your caretaker?" These are some of the questions addressed at The Safe Spot. "The things we shared with other families [who] were on the same difficult journey as us," said Cohen, a USC professor and breast cancer survivor.

7 Days In Arts

By Carin Davis
Published on March 28, 2002

7 Days In The Arts

The Four Menches

By Carin Davis
Published on March 21, 2002

The haggadah speaks of the Four Sons: the wise, the wicked, the simple and the one who doesn't know how to ask. And on a good night in Hollywood, you can pick up all four. The first Saturday in March is a girls' night out (with the understanding we intend to pull men). Elizabeth, Sasha, Sarah and I throw on low-cut tops, low-rise pants and do the L.A. barhop thing.

Aromatherapy Miracles

By Carin Davis
Published on March 21, 2002

"American Pie" star Shannon Elizabeth may appear to have perfect skin. But Michelle Ornstein knows that everyone, even stars, have bad skin days. And when they do, they turn to this Israeli-born spa owner for help.

Mind, Body and Soul

By Carin Davis
Published on March 7, 2002

What do women want? Happiness, family and to shed those last 10 pounds. Women can learn how to accomplish all this and more at an educational conference produced by women and designed to meet the needs and wants of women.

The Basketball Diaries

By Carin Davis
Published on March 7, 2002

Two standout Jewish hoop stars headlining the Pac-10 basketball tournament? It's all part of March Madness. David Bluthenthal, USC's 22-year-old small forward, and Amit Tamir, UC Berkeley's 22-year-old forward/center, each look to lead their team to the conference title at the March 7-9 tournament at Staples Center.

A Matter of Opinion

By Carin Davis
Published on February 28, 2002

Rabbis to your corners. We want a clean fight, a fair fight, and no hitting below the beard. It's not the WWF Wrestling Smackdown -- it's the JSI rabbinical smackdown, brought to you live by the Jewish Studies Institute (JSI) Talkback Series.

The Porn Star and the Rabbi

By Carin Davis
Published on February 14, 2002

Did you hear the one about the rabbi, the porn star and the adult magazine editor? They don't walk into a bar, they walk into a synagogue.

Your Letters

Published on January 17, 2002

Letters to the Editor.