Life lessons

One of the happiest and most memorable moments in a Jewish wedding ceremony comes right at the end, when the groom — and today, sometimes the bride or both partners together — steps on a glass and breaks it beneath their foot. This joyful tradition has become a meaningful part of Jewish, interfaith, and same-sex weddings alike. The sharp crack of the glass is the moment everyone has been waiting for: guests cheer, “Mazel Tov!” rings out, and the celebration begins in earnest. But beyond the excitement, the breaking of the glass carries many layers of meaning. As with so...

Jewish history doesn’t exactly lack for strong female characters. Women in Jewish stories have always been known for stepping up, speaking out, and often running the show.

Megillah (not “magilla,” as in Magilla Gorilla - that is really dating me) is Hebrew for “scroll.” Not just any scroll, but the Book of Esther. Esther gets top billing because it’s read aloud every year at Purim — a holiday that is joyful, noisy, festive… and includes listening to the entire book. Out loud. The whole thing. No fast-forward button. If you’ve ever thought, “Surely we can summarize?” the answer is no. We may not. Now, the story of Esther is dramatic and heroic and full of palace intrigue — but it also takes its sweet time. There are...

From schmutz to schmaltz, these Yiddish gems capture the highs, lows, and occasional fakakta moments of studio life. Even if you’ve never done an art show or wrangled a kiln before coffee, you probably already speak Yiddish — whether you know it or not. 1. Meshuggeh - Crazy — but in the best, most creative way.  I’m staying up till midnight firing one more kiln load?  I must be meshuggeh. 2. Schmutz - That mysterious smudge that appears out of nowhere.  Don’t touch that! You’ve got schmutz on your fingers! 3. Kvell - To beam with pride. Watching someone fall...

Simchas! In Jewish life, we’re taught to mark time not just by dates and seasons, but by simchas—joyous occasions that remind us of what really matters. The word simcha (שִׂמְחָה) means joy, and in Jewish tradition, it goes far beyond fleeting happiness. A simcha is a moment of deep, spiritual joy, often shared with loved ones and rooted in community, tradition, and gratitude. What Counts as a Simcha? A simcha can be many things: A baby naming or brit milah A bar or bat mitzvah A wedding A milestone birthday or anniversary Even a housewarming or the completion of a meaningful journey Each simcha becomes an opportunity to pause, reflect, and elevate...