Entries by Miriam

Ancient Keepsakes: “Relate, remember, appreciate, preserve”

Ancient Keepsakes: “Relate, remember, appreciate, preserve” With millions fleeing for their lives with just the clothes on their backs, prehistoric “keepsakes” take on new meaning “Humans…are expected to live together with other persons (human and non-human), maintain good relations with them, and respect them to maintain world order and achieve well-being…” Who would you guess […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

A Timber Tale for Tu B’Shevat

A Timber Tale for Tu B’Shevat The first Tu B’Shevat I remember was in first-grade Sunday School at Har Sinai Temple in Trenton New Jersey, where I grew up. We were taught a simple Hebrew round whose only words were “Atzei Zeitim Omdim”  – meaning “olive trees are standing” – oh, and a lot of […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

In the Candles’ Rays

In the Candles’ Rays This Hanukkah, when we spin our dreidls, fry potato latkes, savor donuts, exchange gifts, and first of all, during the spiritual high of lighting the menorah with our family or community, probably the last thing on our minds is what the ancient sages thought about the holiday. But it’s interesting to […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

Archaeology Reveals Ancient Women’s Hopes and Dreams

Archaeology Reveals Ancient Women’s Hopes and Dreams One of the traditions of the Jewish New Year is to celebrate it with something new. That makes this the perfect opportunity to tell you about some exciting recent archaeological discoveries. One of them involves a group of recently published finds from Tel Kadesh in the Galilee, which […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

Common Ground

Common Ground Proverbs 22:6 said it first: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” The Israel Nature and Parks Authority and the Israel Nature and Heritage Foundation are doing exactly that: They’re quietly going about the business of inculcating love of […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

The Man with Four Birthdays

The man I married 40 years ago January has four birthdays. Though he was the first child born to parents who lost almost everyone and everything in the Holocaust, it turns out that the first breath he took in this world, at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, Israel, may not have been his most momentous […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

Judith – Hanukkah’s Wonder Woman

Judith – Hanukkah’s Wonder Woman The history is murky, the action would be rated PG16 for the violence alone. But a city in lockdown, a fearsome enemy and a woman of valor saving the day? That, right there, is the stuff of inspiration. My grandson Dan, who was learning about Hanukkah in kindergarten in preparation […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

Waters of Joy – Rivers, Springs and Waterfalls in the Holy Land

Waters of Joy – Rivers, Springs and Waterfalls of the Holy Land As our rainy season begins in Israel, I offer the following as, perhaps, hopefully, a “small repair of the overall dissonance,” as author David Grossman recently described the art of writing.

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

Sign of the Sea Squill

Sign of the Sea Squill “I wouldn’t believe it if I wasn’t living it,” a friend emailed me from abroad the other day. I second that. Even if we and our loved ones manage to stay physically healthy, experts say our social skills are wilting.* If we’re following the guidelines, we’ve had to give up […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.

Justice and the Time of Sycomores

Justice and the Time of Sycomores Between the waves a few weeks ago, Arik and I braved the outside world and took a stroll along the Lachish Stream Park in Ashdod. Sycomore trees along the path were bursting with fruit, and so Amos the prophet came to us. It was the same day I cried […]

THE SCROLL

The Scroll is a multi-generational historical novel about the survivors of the famous last stand of the Jewish rebels of Masada against the Roman army. Its story line is drawn from a real archaeological find – the divorce document of a real-life woman named Miriam, issued at Masada.