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Jewish Luck Blog
Leslie Levine Adler, PhD visited Russia in the summer of 1976 as part of her undergraduate Russian Studies program. She returned in 1977 to pursue her friendships from the previous summer. After teaching ESL at university, she became a psychologist.
Doves nesting in the Arab Israeli city of Sakhnin? Are they also where they don’t belong or could these cattle egrets in winter plumage represent a piece of performance art-posing as doves at the entrance of an unusual building and museum promoting peace through dialogue and art?
Although I am not an artist, I recently tagged along on the trip my sister planned along with Robyn Awend, Rabbi Alexander Davis and Anat Szendro for the Jewish Artists' Lab from the Minneapolis Sabes JCC. I love art, I love Israel, I love my Israeli cousins, and I trust my sister’s travel planning 100 percent based on vast experience.
Can a building be home to a revolution begun with art? I think so. The Arab Museum of Contemporary Art and Heritage (AMOCA) is housed in the Environmental Study Center, an ecological building designed by Egyptian architect, Abed Yassin in 2009. He designed this...
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As the youngest child, the words “Don’t go there” seemed an invitation to peek in and investigate the mysterious forbidden place. This applied to me crawling into the fireplace in our living room, ascending the stairs at the synagogue to where I thought God lived (it was the choir loft), or breaking into the even holier sanctuary of my sister’s room to open the window seats, explore the closet and pull down the ladder to climb to the attic.
In 1980, I interned at Kodak-Pathé Paris teaching ESL to their employees. As part of the curriculum we took our students to Edinburgh to practice their English. I can’t remember how I befriended a Scottish family, but we talked about my upcoming trip to Israel. She had a Palestinian exchange student living with them a while ago and wanted to prepare a gift for the family for me to transport. It sounds...
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As the 15 year old Byerly’s employee was loading the case of bottled water into the car, I looked at Harry and said “Did you buy these?” I was especially surprised given that five minutes before, we were discussing the potential green advantages of cremation. As usual, I had driven away from Byerly’s completely forgetting I was supposed to pick up our groceries from the drive through. Harry had the two bin numbers in his lap but claimed he was observing my rule that he can’t criticize me because my car does it for me with its many beeps in “eyesight.” As we were returning to Byerly’s, we passed a fountain at The Cremation Society that Harry found aestheically displeasing. I asked him “Does that mean you won’t be cremated?” We paused in thought. We shared that we wouldn’t mind being cremated as long as we didn’t know it. It...
Recent Blogs
Leslie
26 May 2018
When my mother was 8 years old, she had a "grandmother" for just over a year, the only grandmother she remembers.How did this happen? Grandfather Emil, a widower, lived with her family until 1937 when he was introduced to a "nice widow." Thirteen months after his wedding, Emil died at the age of 59.Cause of death? "Overfeeding by Regina," my mother said.Mom was sure that Regina was a " black ...
Leslie
08 May 2018
Dear Melania,As a former ESL teacher, I guess it is up to me to tell you that the title of your new campaign makes no sense. First of all, grammatically it is incorrect and should be "Be the best." However, even if you were to say that, my next question is "Be the best what?" The best bully? The best obstructionist? The best dressed? The best plagiarist?* The best blogger? By ...
Leslie
05 May 2018
Intrepid, almost. Pen in hand, I set out for my solo hike this morning in Sedona, Arizona with a bit more confidence than years before.I had been consulting my brother, who, astride his horse in Jack London Historic Park, was giving me advice on how to deal with any snakes I might encounter.I ...
Invite Us To Speak
We were featured speakers at Hadassah Brandeis Institute and Levy Summer Series. Our speaking engagements include JCCs, synagogues, libraries, book groups, retirement communities, schools, and organizations (e.g. ORT, Hadassah, and Women's League). References are available.
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Talk Review
"I was very fortunate to be able to hear Meryll and Leslie speak at a Hadassah event in Israel. Each of the ~50 participants really enjoyed the event because Meryll and Leslie were so engaging. While they had a natural rapport with the audience, you could also tell they had prepared well so they could connect with our particular group's interests. I learned a lot from listening to them, and I found their sisterly interaction unique and fun. If you want an enlightening and uplifting experience, attend one of their book talks."
Lisa Shimoni, Modiin Israel
Book Review
"Truly, you have written a story that makes accessible the reality of existence in Russia, through the eyes of individuals who lived through the various regimes and dictates. It is fascinating and very well told. As I read Vera and Alla's story, I learned more Russian history than I had known from a textbook. That's a big deal, women! You tell the tale with vivid detail and hook us on the two women and their stories, then weave in the history to illuminate their journeys. It is such a necessary book. I am thrilled that the two of you collaborated, as I can see the uniqueness of your personalities come through in the stories, and that, too, makes the book a gem."
Margaret Leibfried, Danielson Group consultant
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Tasting Torah
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Highlighted Books
Meryll
02 July 2017
Leslie and I began writing Jewish Luck with an underlying question in our minds—what would life have...
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