When Saying Nothing is Worse Than Saying “No!”

By Rabbi John Rosove
Published on April 11, 2013

Proper etiquette for social media!

By Julia Bendis
Published on February 29, 2012

An American wedding in Israel

By Dikla Kadosh
Published on June 12, 2008

My fiance, David, cheerfully agreed to designate groomsmen to accompany my green-clad friends down the aisle (another ceremonial tradition not done in Israel -- there, only the bride and groom walk down the aisle). However, despite showing them how lovely matching bridesmaids and groomsmen look on David's Bridals' Web site, we could not convince his three brothers to wear matching suits.

I WANT 2 TXT U UP

By Orit Arfa
Published on March 20, 2008

Sometimes I wonder if the SMS was created not to ease communication between people but to protect the egos of single men and women. By asking people out by text, they don't actually have to hear a blatant "no." And if the other side accepts the offer, SMS courtships already set low standards of communication.

Who pays for what at today’s Jewish weddings?

By Jane Ulman
Published on August 9, 2007

Forget the Bible, the Talmud or even the Code of Jewish Law. When it comes to figuring out who pays for what at a contemporary Jewish wedding, today's families are more apt to consult Modern Bride or TheKnot.com.

How to reduce restlessness among tweens and teens at services

By Sharon Schatz Rosenthal
Published on May 10, 2007

Author Gail Anthony Greenberg attributes the change to a societal trend empowering kids to make their own decisions. "These days, we give children more latitude," she added. As a result, many rabbis, administrators, parents and even bar mitzvah party vendors take preventative measures to quell chatty, restless or precocious preteen guests from being disruptive at bar mitzvah ceremonies and receptions.

The so-called ‘perfect date’

By Amy Klein
Published on November 30, 2006

The date was going really well. The conversation was flowing. We were practically finishing each other's sentences.

Deal or No Deal

By Debra L. Eckerling
Published on November 16, 2006

Some women would argue that your expectations should go down the longer you are single. I say a deal breaker is a deal breaker, and the fact that you have turned 28
for several years in a row doesn't mean you should dismiss core things you want in a guy.

Dear Mr. Sensitive

By Diane Saltzberg
Published on August 17, 2006

I'll be 50 soon, which I'm not afraid to admit in print. Not many men seem willing to date women their own age.

Focus on Philanthropy

By Amy Hirshberg Lederman
Published on July 27, 2006

I don't know about how others think about gift giving, but I am honestly confused about it myself. Year after year, questions continue to gnaw at me like: What is the right amount for a gift? Should I support Jewish organizations first and then donate to other charities, like my alma mater or the Red Cross, only after I have made my Jewish gifts?

Pitfalls of Making Playdate Plans

By Sharon Duke Estroff
Published on May 26, 2005

Brandon was 3 the first time another mother called me to schedule a playdate.

"A playdate," I giggled. "That's so clever! Did you make that up yourself?" (The dead silence on the other end of the phone clued me in that I had just made a monumental maternal faux pas that could potentially rival my last monumental maternal faux pas of offering up a bag of artificially colored/flavored Cheetos -- rather than the au natural variety -- to my son's playgroup.) The other mother suddenly had a dire emergency and promised to call back. She didn't.

Are Cell Phones Ever Cool in Shul?

By Annabelle Stevens
Published on September 16, 2004

A few weeks ago, I was at a funeral at Mount Sinai in Glendale when, at one of the most emotional moments, a cell phone rang loudly for several minutes, humming a Broadway tune.

Fate With a Frummie

By Carin Davis
Published on July 8, 2004

Of all the Jew joints, in all the towns, in all the world, I walk into his. The artist formerly known as Jake didn't just go to my high school. I was a freshman cheerleader in a sophomore geometry class and Jake was the hot football player who sat next to me.

Protocol

By Michael Aushenker
Published on December 12, 2002

Rules of etiquette suggest that one must whisper in a library. But for the Jewish Community Library of Greater Los Angeles, that rule is just the beginning.

The library recently held its culminating ceremony for a group of youngsters enrolled in its Children's Etiquette and Social Grace class. This is the first time that the institution has sponsored such a class.

The idea developed after the library director Abigail Yasgur and children's director Sylvia Lowe, children's librarian, enrolled their respective youngsters in an etiquette class.

"Libraries are not just about the books," Lowe said. "They're becoming meeting places for people in the community."