15Jan

A Complicated But Hopeful Jewish New Media Summit

It was the first night of the Jewish New Media Summit in Jerusalem. I had been invited as one of 160 journalists and bloggers from around the world to attend a three-day event hosted by the Israel Government Press Office for an up close and personal look at issues impacting Israel and the Diaspora. As both an American writer and liberal Jew, I was both anxious and curious to attend this Israeli Government sponsored event.  Courtesy of Israel Government Press Office When I received the invitation last fall, I was pleased to be recognized as an Read More

24Dec

Celebrating the Holidays with Alvin Ailey During Their 60th Anniversary Season

Yesterday I was fortunate to attend Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's special Family Matinee series in Manhattan at City Center. I took my 14-year-old son to witness the greatness that this group of modern dancers brings to their work and I hope he remembers it for years to come. The program was Timeless Ailey, featuring over a dozen treasures from Mr. Ailey’s wonderfully rich body of work, including highlights of seldom-seen gems Mary Lou’s Mass and The Lark Ascending. The result was electrifying. My son had never been to a modern dance Read More

08Oct

Wokuni: An Unexpected Culinary Treasure Trove for Kids (and Adults) in Midtown Manhattan

If you're looking for an unusual and delicious kid's menu entree for kids in Manhattan, you have to head to Wokuni, an upscale Japanese seafood restaurant in midtown. It's their first-ever kid's menu and it's called Captain Kuni's Treasure Ship. Plus, it's at an incredible value - $10 for kids under 12 years old, served at both lunch and dinner. My son and I were eager to try it, and other things on the menu, so we set a date and tried it last week. The restaurant is very modern and trendy, yet inviting and comfortable. We slid into a private table Read More

28Jul

Gulliver’s Gate: An Unexpected Treat in Times Square

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Last week my son and I played tourist in New York City. When I asked him what he wanted to do, he suggested Gulliver’s Gate. I was impressed that my son brought an idea to my attention so I quickly set the wheels in motion to take him there. Never heard of it? Gulliver’s Gate is a miniature world experience that offers an interactive display representing various regions of the world and famous landmarks, as well as moving trains, planes, wagons and people of the past and present. There are levers along the way which people pull to create motion within Read More

28Jul

Experiencing NYC as a Tourist: Virtual Reality Style

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Last week my son and I ventured downtown to experience THE RIDE. We had admittedly been lucky enough to experience it before, only this time it would be the virtual reality version. I chose it because my son is a techno geek, and I figured it would be something new and interesting for both of us. I also love NYC with all heart, so I'm always open to different ways to experience and learn more about the city. One thing I have to say that I love about THE RIDE in general is the tour guides. Like on our last tour, we had a fun, excited guide take us on our Read More

21Jul

A Night Out at Vatan in NYC and Experiencing Food From Gujurat

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Photo courtesy of Vatan.Last week I ventured to Murray Hill to an Indian restaurant I've never been to called Vatan. The experience ended up being an absolute delight and one that I recommend to all of you. Vatan is a traditional Indian restaurant, only it is very unique. They only offer a prix fixe thali style menu ($34 per person), which if you have never had this type of meal, it's a series of small dishes and whatever more you like of each dish, as you can order as much as you like. The cuisine is distinct as it features only vegetarian dishes of Read More

12Jul

What Brooklyn Families is All About

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A few weeks ago I received the most unexpected, marvelous invitation to the Brooklyn Museum to find out more about their program Brooklyn Families. Coming from Westchester, I knew the museum would be a bit of a hike very early on a Saturday morning, but my curiosity was peaked about what the museum is doing to engage families. I am always looking for ways to engage my own children in art. They pull me away from museums; I want to pull them in. Brooklyn Families Another big draw: a personal tour of David Bowie is, an exhibit about who was perhaps my Read More

29Jun

Joining 1,300 NYC Public School Students and Teachers at Hamilton on Broadway

EduHamilton

I recently had the amazing experience of joining 1,300 NYC Public School students and teachers at a performance of HAMILTON on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. I hadn't seen the show on Broadway; I had only seen it off-Broadway in its infancy days at the Public Theater so I was very much looking forward to see how it had morphed over the years (and then some, right?). After having spent several weeks in their classrooms studying American history through a special integrated curriculum about Alexander Hamilton and the nation’s Founding Fathers, Read More

25Feb

Bonding with My Son at Keystone Resort

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A few weeks ago, I was invited to experience Keystone Resort with a child. The goal was for myself and other writers to experience and cover Kidtopia, a series of events offered all year long for kids of all ages, both on and off the snow. My son, who just turned 13, was just at the cusp of the age requested to attend the trip, but was prime material for both them and myself in terms of covering the resort. For one thing, he loves to ski. For another, he loves traveling and experiencing new things and he's totally open to a jam-packed agenda. The two of Read More

07Feb

Restaurant Review: Brunch at Alice’s Arbor in Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

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This past weekend my teenage daughter and I decided to take some time out of our daily routine and head to Bed Stuyvesant, Brooklyn for brunch. Our destination: Alice's Arbor. It had been years since I'd been to Bed Stuy, and I always knew even then it was on the brink of gentrification and change, so I was eager to make this particular trip from our home in Westchester. As a vegetarian, I can tell you that the menu, which is inspired by Chef Mike Franzetti, is diverse and wide ranging. Carnivores can have their share of meat, from chicken to ribs for Read More