Ask Aviva Issue of July 2, 2010/ 20 Tammuz 5770 My family and I deeply mourn the tragic passing of Naama Markovits, a”h. May her strong, giving, beautiful family be comforted among the … more

Dear Aviva, After a few years of numerous unsuccessful shidduch dates, I believe that my bashert has finally arrived. We’ve been together for two months so far. When we date, our conversations are deep, we share plenty of laughs, a common background and outlook on life. But when we’re on the phone, I’m still unsure how to talk to her, and how to avoid making a date feel like an interview, when to introduce her to my folks, and when to pop the question. I love her, but I have never gone this far before. How should I proceed from here? -Cautious Companion more

Ask Aviva Issue of July 9, 2010/ 29 Tammuz, 5770 Dear Aviva, We are very fortunate to have all of our kids married off. We’re not ungrateful for what we have, but we’ve noticed a problem … more

Dear Aviva, I like wearing snoods and tichels but I don’t like my friends telling me that I’m wearing a rag or look like I just got out of bed. I legitimately think that tichels look … more

Dear Aviva, I’m a 25-year-old male living in the Jewish community. I’ve got my own apartment and my own circle of friends and everything’s going great. But everywhere I go, I’m having an … more

Issue of July 9, 2010/ 5 Av, 5770 Columnist's Note:  This letter was sent with the writer's parental permission. Dear Aviva, I am 8 years old.  My first problem is that I want to be … more

Dear Aviva, I just moved to a new community. I know that all beginnings are difficult, but it’s taken more of a toll on me than I had expected. I feel overwhelmed with all my responsibilities of setting up a new home, making new friends, and getting to know the neighborhood. I feel that I have to live up to the expectations of the norm here, which include having a job, looking great, keeping a clean, modern home, and cooking superb Shabbat meals, all while maintaining a healthy relationship with my husband. But I don’t feel like Superwoman! How can I ease into my new community without feeling these pressures all at once? more

Dear Aviva, I’m pretty disappointed with a lot of people. I was raised in a Zionistic family, attended Zionist schools and have actually practiced what they all preached. I made aliyah two years ago after completing Shana Bet here in Israel. I’m here because I was taught that this is where a Jew belongs. I am making sacrifices to be here. None of my American teachers who’ve instilled these values in me have moved here, and my family has yet to emigrate. I’m happy to be living here, but at the same time I’m really mad at the hypocrisy that I was exposed to. more

Dear Aviva, My husband and I are Modern Orthodox and we raised our children in the same vein. Our son came back from his year in Israel this past summer and he is a different person. Aside from … more

Issue of July 23, 2010/ 12 Av 5770 Dear Aviva, What is our world coming to? I just got off the phone with my friend. She called to tell me about our mutual friend’s divorce. This is the … more