I just lost two close friends. Now, in addition to mourning the passing of their steady and cheery companionship, I am confronted with unexpected questions about the decidedly different ways their lives ended. [Karen Galatz]
What is the ‘Right’ Way to Die? Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAAlas, the best-laid plans of mice, men, and holiday hostesses often go awry! This I recently learned. We were scheduled to host eight Algerian exchange visitors for a “traditional” Thanksgiving meal. The group was in town for a few days as part of a multi-state tourism education program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. [Karen Galatz]
Matzo Chronicles: Halal and Back Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAWith apologies to Ponce de Leon and plastic surgeons, I have discovered the real Fountain of Youth. It’s spending time with young people. I made this fortuitous discovery just the other day as I peered into the glowing, unlined face of a student I was working with. Actually two things hit me. The first was that I was 50 years her senior! Five-zero. A half a century. Yikes! [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: My Fountain of Youth … Time with Young People Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, News Media, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAMy concern was mostly for him, a 20-year-old, religiously observant, first-time visitor to the U.S. How would he feel staying with Jews? We were fine. We were adults, who had willingly opened our home, but how about him? Would he, who had merely been assigned a random housing slot, feel blind-sighted, uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or G-d forbid, hostile? [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: Hosting a Muslim Student from Jordan Read More »
Israel, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAI’ve just celebrated my 70th birthday. This transition to a new decade is undoubtedly a milestone. You might wonder, do I have angst about aging? Well, a little. But mostly I’ve been celebrating the occasion and looking forward to the years ahead. [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]
70 and Counting … Joyfully Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodThe man at the grill never fully turned around, just swiveled his head slightly to acknowledge the newest person to grab a coveted spot at the counter or listen to the takeout order shouted at him by the person standing over the shoulder of somebody seated. He provided equal service to all — working-class men in coveralls, prim secretaries all made up and wearing high heels even on icy days, and Wall Street types in pinstripe suits. Nobody got special treatment. Nobody got special attention. First come, first served. [Karen Galatz]
Sweet Memories of a Short-Order Cook Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAA few days after he died, my mother — still in a daze — was in the garage doing the laundry. In the mix of just-dried garments were my father’s undershirts, shorts, and socks. I watched as she folded his tee shirts in the same neat manner she had done for so many decades. First, in thirds, then, in half, brushing away each wrinkle with care. The sight of her folding his clothes — for the last time — took my breath away. [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: Give Me Liberty? Nah, Give Me Laundry! Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAWhere are the proudly proclaimed markers of historical Jewish life and contributions in the great European cities? Why are they — we — too often erased or at least, largely invisible from the tours and guidebooks?
Second, for all the glory and achievement, how is it that humankind still hasn’t learned to respect religious, ethnic, and cultural differences, or at least tolerate them? [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: My Whirlwind European Tour, Tulips and Turmoil Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Karen Galatz, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The Matzo Chronicles By Karen Galatz RENO, Nevada — I was in New York recently to see a jolly round of nine shows. A surprise favorite was the musical, Harmony, about the Comedian Harmonists, an internationally famous German singing group that was forced to disband because of antisemitism amid the rise of fascism before World
Harmony in Unharmonious Times Read More »
Holocaust, International, Karen Galatz, Opinion, USA
The Matzo Chronicles By Karen Galatz RENO, Nevada — I come from a long line of Morton Coarse Kosher Salt users. My mother bought it. My grandmother bought it. My sisters-in-law bought it. Even my non-Jewish mother-in-law bought the salt with the little girl under the umbrella. But lately, I haven’t been able to find
What’s Shakin’ in Your Saltshaker? Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Opinion, Travel and Food
The Matzo Chronicles By Karen Galatz RENO, Nevada — I live in a quality lox-white-fish-sable forsaken community. Yes, of course, I blame my husband, who insisted we move, swearing mistakenly there was a good deli in our new town. Still, this lament is about another relationship disappointment — the one with my girlfriend who refused
A Girlfriend is Not a Mule Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Opinion, Travel and Food
The Matzo Chronicles By Karen Galatz Many years back, I wanted to contact one of my cousins. I didn’t have her phone number and, for the life of me, I couldn’t recall her married name. I wasn’t worried because I knew the information was in my late mother’s address book. But I couldn’t find her
An Old Address Book Holds Numbers, Memories, and So Much More Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Opinion