By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Jewish Sound Columnist Dear Rivy, Try as I might, I cannot make my peace with the paragraph in the Haggadah that is recited right after the seder meal as we open the door for Elijah: Pour out Your wrath upon the nations that do not recognizeContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Jewish Sound Columnist Dear Rivy, Is it “Jewish” to be so saddened and consumed by loss of a football team — or any professional sport? Personally, I am not this way. But surveying the Facebook postings and media reports after the Seahawks lost the Super Bowl,Continue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, Till now, when discussing the horrors of our history — persecutions, pogroms, and of course, the Holocaust — with our children it has generally been a conversation about the past; the way things once were, far away times, the way people usedContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Jewish Sound Columnist Dear Rivy, Two issues, both Hanukkah related. Every year we host our family’s Hanukkah party, which is lovely and we are happy to do it. Issue number one: I feel as if most of my family knows nothing about what Hanukkah is reallyContinue Reading
Dear Rivy, I just saw Christopher Nolan’s movie “Interstellar.” I am baffled. The science is way beyond my comprehension — if it is science at all — and I just do not know what to make of it. I understand that the film has nothing to do with Jews orContinue Reading
Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, I’m very disturbed by the “mikvah peeper” scandal in D.C. First of all, what is going to the mikvah about, and how does it work? Who is really in charge of the mikvah, women or men? Is there any chance a man/my rabbiContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Jewish Sound Columnist Dear Rivy, I know that many might feel that the world has a no shortage of horrible — nay, catastrophic — flash points erupting. Still, I cannot let go of the news item that some may see as petty. But it has servedContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Jewish Sound Columnist Dear Rivy, I know there seems to be no shortage of awful things that happen to us Jews, and maybe on some level we should get used to it. As I read about anti-Jewish activities in France for example, I confess — IContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Jewish Sound Columnist Dear Rivy, I can barely contain myself. I just read the article by Paul Greenberg, “Holocaust Day Again” — posted all over the Internet. It is revolting on so many levels. Here is what he writes: Another year, another Holocaust Day — justContinue Reading
Rivy Poupko Kletenik, Jewish Sound Columnist Dear Rivy, There’s no getting away from it. Pesach is up next. I’ve been known to embrace the “Pesach denial attitude” in past years — closing my eyes as I pass the Passover aisle in the supermarket, delicately stepping away from the over-the-top, gung-hoContinue Reading
There’s something magnetic about the Beatles and so much that is still so universal about their music.Continue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik , JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, I have had enough. Even if I’m the only person in Seattle who was hoping we didn’t get into the Super Bowl, so be it. I refuse to get swept up by this base, pagan, vile, vacuous and raucous endeavor. ItContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, I’m not sure how to approach this issue. I don’t mean to overdramatize; however, a major family battle is brewing over — believe it or not — gefilte fish. My family is very traditional and serves gefilte fish at every major JewishContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik , JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, Let’s talk about those who are adamantly against Thanksgivukkah. Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving — it’s American and its celebration marks an adaptation into American society. Hanukkah is Hanukkah — it’s a festival that celebrates the distinction between Jews and the prevailing culture.Continue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist You’re right —there have been a huge amount of reactions, analyses and responses to the report, along with key data points reported throughout the Jewish and general media. As with most surveys, nothing is shockingly new, nor is it all bad or all good.Continue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik , JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, As always, I enjoyed the High Holiday services and this time of year. Although it can get a bit cumbersome juggling life and the seasonal demands, it is all worthwhile. One piece that really continues to mystify me, however, is theContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, Not sure if you are the address for this but let me give it a shot. I was feeling like people were always putting me in a box, presuming I am a certain way by virtue of the way I dress orContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, Last month the North American Jewish community witnessed the public pillorying of a Jewish communal worker. Was it another horrific, shameful case of sexual abuse or harassment in the work place? One more mortifying incident of misuse of funds? No, rather, itContinue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, I am confused. The startling revelations around the National Security Agency’s surveillance are deeply disturbing. It turns out “Big Brother” is watching, more than we had imagined, though anyone with a bit of an astute sensibility has by now noticed the “serendipitous”Continue Reading
By Rivy Poupko Kletenik, JTNews Columnist Dear Rivy, This year on Father’s Day, besides the regular celebrations, we are also commemorating a significant birthday for my father, the patriarch of our family. I have been tasked with the role of emcee at this event and must now face the dauntingContinue Reading
