You can talk about current affairs and the weather, even books, with anybody. That’s the stuff of today. But the past, that’s special. Pausing to provide a preamble and context to a family joke or reminiscence is no fun. It kills the punch line or the mood. [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: Keep It Simple? Not Me. Not Ever! Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodI know Passover has passed, but I’m living through a series of personal plagues. They’re not Biblical in proportion, but for mere mortal me, they’re epic and loathsome. Of course, good Jewish wife that I am, I blame my suffering, not on God, but on my spouse. [Karen Galatz, The Matza Chronicle]
The Matzo Chronicles: My personal plagues Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAI had the flu. I mean, I really had the flu. It was so severe that the doctor debated sending me to the hospital. I was dehydrated and depleted and completely not cute! Handsome Hubby pleaded against it, saying he would take care of me and he did yeoman’s work, struggling to keep fluids down me, pulling blankets on me when I was cold, taking them off when I was hot. [Karen Galatz, the Matzo Chronicles]
In sickness and in health: What really separates us in an interfaith marriage Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodTo accompany these stacks of books, I’ve got reading glasses, highlighters, and lately, in a charming, stylish touch, reading lamps that I plop on my head to illuminate the pages. On the rare occasion I lift my head to engage in conversation, I blind my husband from the glare of the light. [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]
The Matzo Chronicles: I be bookish Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & SatireThe play’s subject and the incident it depicts are based on true events. In 1983, beloved children’s author, the 6’6” Roald Dahl, reviewed a book about the siege of West Beirut by the Israeli army during the 1982 Lebanon War. That review was widely viewed as antisemitic. [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]
Tackling a legend and antisemitism, ‘Giant’ comes to Broadway Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Karen Galatz, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & BroadcastI pressed on. But answers to questions I didn’t get. Instead, he dismissed me with a referral for PT AND a lecture that began with the words “As we age” and ended with “live with it.” [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]
The Matzo Chronicles: Medical Ageism. Don’t ‘Live with It’ Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAWouldn’t it be nice if someone complimented me (or any of us) by noticing some good deed I had done, however small? [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]
The Matzo Chronicles: Is ‘You Don’t Look Your Age’ Really a Compliment? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsAs we age, we frequent the Land of Good-byes. The good-byes are sometimes large. Sometimes small. Sometimes subtle or merely annoying. Others hit like tsunamis. We lose keys. We lose mobility. We lose loved ones. [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: The Land of Good-Byes … and Hello’s Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAIf the person is older, I count the years they outlived me and cheer their longevity. I read their obituary avidly for insights, hints, and clues about how they made it to such a long life. Good for them! If they can do it, I “reason,” so can I! [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: By the Numbers Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAI met two models of resilience who supercharged me with inspiration and delight. [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: Resilience is the Key Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAI 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, USA