By Aviva Rizel Issue of June 4, 2010 / 22 Sivan 5770 Dear Aviva, I’m not sure if I am doing the right thing. My husband and I have been married for about 5 years and we have each gotten … more

Dear Aviva, My wife and I just moved to a wonderful Jewish community. We are very happy with our new home and our new friends. However, we generally feel like we are the most right wing of our group and it bothers us. We can’t be 100% sure of some of our friends’ kashrus, a lot of my friends don’t go to minyan (and when they do, they shmooze throughout!) and a lot of them are more caught up in drinking than giving divrei torah at the Shabbos table. I know I must sound very judgmental, since we are all on different levels of hashkafah (philosophy) and we do like our friends; we just feel like they are not a good influence on our family. What to do? -Frummy Friend more

Dear Aviva, I’m not sure if I have a problem or not. My friends and a few random strangers are making me think that I do. I like to be different. So when I go to a simcha, I don’t want to blend in with the typical black dress. I like color and flair, and unique clothing and accessories. I like to be noticed. I always dress tzniusdik, but I know that I stand out. My husband has no problem with how I dress, but my friends make comments that I should dress softer, and I do see people whispering and looking at me sometimes. Do I have a problem? -Flamboyantly Fashionable more

Ask Aviva Issue of October 8, 2010/ 30 Tishrei 5771 Dear Aviva, Why is it so hard to get people to mind their own business in our community these days? My husband and I have been … more

Dear Aviva, I’ve been married 3 months and have been trying to get my husband to come with me to therapy since we got engaged. He’s a very private person and refuses to talk to anyone about anything private in his life. We’ve had a few disagreements in the past and they always blow up into huge arguments. I really think therapy would help us figure out how to communicate better, but I can’t seem to get him to agree to go to one. Any ideas? Thanks. -Befuddled Bride more

Dear Aviva, I have one married son who lives out of town. My relationship with my daughter-in-law was rocky from the beginning. But over the years we have been able to have a solid relationship and be cordial with each other. Recently, I feel that she isn’t calling me enough. more

Issue of June 11, 2010/ 29 Sivan, 5770 Dear Aviva, I have a very big problem with my ex-husband. He does not pay any child support for our adolescent child. He is remarried and has four kids with … more

Dear Aviva, I’ve been friends with someone for the past 20 years. We grew up near each other and were in school together from elementary all the way to college. Now that we both have our own families, I am realizing more and more that she is (and has always been) a very jealous and negative person. She never seems to actually care about me or what I’m going through. I don’t even know why she’s kept up the connection this long. If I first met her at this point in my life, I probably would avoid her. Am I stuck with her just because there is a history? And is there any good way to cut ties without enraging her? more