M any of us tend to forget the origin of July 4, but not I! Fifty years ago, this Shet land Islands native became a proud new American citizen after studying the fundamentals of US history and the … more

It’s been a scorcher of a summer, so when a friend suggested a trip to the Berkshire Mountains, this Northeasterner was ready for some cooler weather. While quite a “staycation” … more

Every year, it’s the same standard setup: brunch for Mother’s Day and a barbecue for Father’s Day. But why fight the Sunday-morning breakfast crowd? And why sweat on a hot June day, … more

Shavuot, which begins at sundown on Tuesday, June 11, is rooted (like Pesach) in the agricultural season (originally, the beginning of the wheat harvest). Before the fall of the Temple, … more

Lag B’Omer (which falls this year on Sunday, May 26) has been extra special for me — I was married on that day, and my wedding anniversaries were always celebrated with a backyard family … more

It’s the American Jewish classic that goes way beyond Sunday-morning breakfasts with the whole mishpacha . Lox and bagels with a schmear of cream cheese has become a universal staple for … more

Purim, which begins at motzei Shabbat on March 23, is rooted in Jewish survival in the Persian Empire, thanks to the bravery and Jewish pride of Mordechai and Esther. … more

Dining at the Milky Way was an experience — kosher food with zip and a dash of ethnicity served up in a cozy atmosphere where family photos and Leah’s paintings lined the walls. It … more

Thick, aromatic and brimming with good taste, soup is the perfect food in cold weather. Each spoonful warms and comforts like nothing else. Besides chicken soup — the panacea for what ails you … more

The majesty of afternoon tea. No need to shell out megabucks in a fancy hotel for this refined pastime. Tea time is one of the simplest ways to entertain. It can be casual or swanky, and the guest … more