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COUTURE EUROPEAN BOUTIQUE
BRIDAL EVENING

RIVINI
SEPT. 12-14

ing, fill their grandparents' hearts
with wonderful words. And they tell
(their) truth. When my grandson
Michael in Jerusalem, at age 4, told
me: "Saba, you are not just my
grandfather; you are my friend," I
kvelled for weeks.
At least once a week, his younger
sister, Jenny, would roll up my
sleeves, squeeze my arm muscle and
exclaim: "Wow, you are strong."
And Emily, my granddaughter in
America, when she was 4 years old
and realized that my hearing was fail-
ing, announced that when she grew
up, she would become an ear doctor
to fix her grandfather's ears.
In my book, there is no better
medicine.
But beginning at about age 7,
grandchildren discover the world and
may begin to decline a chance to play
with grandparents in favor of kids
their own age. After puberty, kids
need and use their grandparents less,
even though we would like to see
them more.
Our careers wind down. We take
early retirement. We have ailments.
Listen to teenager Claire in Joyce
Carol Oates' short story, "Why Don't
You Come Live With Me, It's Time":

"(Come by any time, dear, no need
to call first,' my grandmother said
often. 'Come by after school, any time,
please' ... and I would bicycle across
the river to her house once or twice a
week, or drop in after school ... but I
never stayed for long, her happiness in
my presence made me uneasy."
The good news is that later in the
teen-age years, grandchildren often
find that talking to a nonjudgmental
grandparent can be the greatest thing
in the world. We can give them love,
concern and attention, even a little
instruction and direction. And some-
times, if we are lucky enough to have
some money, we can buy something
special for them or bring them along
on a trip.
If we work at it, and you know it is
wonderful work, our grandchildren
will remember us and we may achieve
immortality in the generations of our
families to come.
Meanwhile, whether you are 9 or
90, on this second day of Rosh
Hashanah — Grandparents Day —
spend time with your grandparents or
spend time remembering them.
That, I think, would make them
very happy and is a great way to
begin the New Year.

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SEPT. 19-21

CHAOUL
SEPT. 26-28

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OCT. 1042

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OCT. 17-19

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Ocr. 31-Nov. 2

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•

BIRMINGHAM

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❑

Rich colors,
Right fit.

ing. In America, we are envisioning
physically what rebuilding the site of
the attack in downtown Manhattan
will look like. In Israel, many are -
working to provide - medical care for
the sick and injured, and security to
enable children to go safe-
ly to and from their
schools.
While much has been
broken, and the work is
far from complete, in fix-
ing the world our faith in
the future is restored.
With acts of rebuilding
in mind, my colleagues
and I at CLAL-The
National Jewish Center
for Learning and
Leadership have developed a simple
ritual for your festival meal. This
Rosh Hashanah, before you dip your
apples in honey, take a moment to
ask a friend or family member: "How
have you dealt with the sorrows of
the past year? What steps have you
taken to enjoy life a little more?"
As you enjoy your apples and

honey, ask: "What are your hopes for
both America and Israel in the corn-
ing year? What is one act to which
you can commit yourself that will
help achieve those hopes?"
As the parable wisely teaches us,

How have you dealt with
the sorrows? What have
you done to enjoy life?
What are your hopes for
America and Israel?

"With each stone laid, our heart
rejoices." The questions we ask, and
the discussions we have around the
holiday table, can begin to create a
strong foundation for the year to
come.
May the New Year bring you and
your family blessings, peace and
good fortune. ❑

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9/ 6

2002

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