In the United States, we observe Thanksgiving the last Thursday in November. It’s a cornucopia-filled holiday with traditions unique to America. It is celebrated to give thanks for the fall harvest with historical references to native Indians and Pilgrim settlers. Americans are not the only country that ritualizes a feast of thanks. Many other countries…
On May 17, 1954 the Supreme Court of the United States unanimously stated in the case of Brown vs the Board of Education, Topeka, that facilities segregating white and black children were unequal and therefore violated the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The justices also ordered the states to integrate. How did…
Historically, deaf people have been pretty much ignored by the hearing community. The general feeling has been, “They’re just too difficult to communicate with, so why bother?” However, throughout history, many deaf people have made a name for themselves, and in spite of their hearing impairment, they have stood out and contributed their skills for…
Dear Pop, I want to do something fun with my kids this Halloween season that’s scary, but not too expensive. I looked into Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Night and discovered that the least expensive ticket is $72 per person. Ouch! Have any ideas what my family can do this Halloween season? Fun Dad Dear Fun…
I was a member of Temple Judea, a reform synagogue in Tarzana, California, for twenty-five years. Even after a virus robbed me of most of my hearing and forced me out of my tenured sixth grade teaching assignment, I stayed a temple member. Though I couldn’t understand a word of the rabbi’s sermons or capable…
“Grandpa, why are you wearing that red plastic flower on your shirt?” Mitch pointed to a poppy on his grandfather’s breast pocket. “It’s Memorial Day,” Grandpa said. Mitch flopped on the floor in front of Grandpa’s chair. “Duh! No school today.” “Memorial Day is more than that. I wear this flower in honor of…
Dear Pop, Last year I was invited to my first Passover Seder at a home in Encino. I really enjoyed myself as everyone read from the Haggadah, the spiritual text, but that matzah. Why do Jews eat that tasteless, flour/water flatbread for eight days and why do some Jews have two Seders? Curious Christian Dear…
Dear Pop, I love American History, but I can’t motivate my children’s interest. They won’t watch the History Channel with me nor are they interested in the books I bring home for them to read. What can I do? History Buff Dear History Buff, When my daughters were growing up, I made it a…
Passover, the Jewish celebration of the Exodus, begins Friday evening, April 19, 2019 with the first Seder, and ends Saturday evening, April 27. This is the time when Jews throughout the world remember the years their ancestors were slaves in Egypt and escaped under the leadership of Moses. Carol Meyers, an archeologist and professor…
Savannah is a communications major at a prominent university. One day, while walking across campus, she eyes a guy she can’t resist. He is absolutely gorgeous. The communications major is taking American Sign Language (ASL) with Prof. Stockton to fulfill her language requirement. One homework assignment is to attend a Deaf event….