The DMC

A Column for Teens (of all Ages)

 as told to Michelle Mond

 Noooo…not Tzippy, I think to myself while clutching at the rack of coats at Macys. Anyone but Tzippy…please, Hashem, make her leave.”

Thoughts race in my head as I make a beeline for the dressing rooms in order to remain anonymous in an extremely public

Reviewed by Rabbi Mordechai Shuchatowitz, Head of the Baltimore Bais Din

Any member of the Baltimore kehilla who has school-aged children is well aware of the fact that there is no busing service for private school children. It is the responsibility of the parents to transport their children to and from the schools they attend. The most common method by far of getting one’s children to school is by forming a carpool with neighbors.

It is obvious that every parent has certain hopes: that

We frum Jews of Baltimore take pride in living in one of the strongest Orthodox Jewish communities in America. It’s also one of the oldest; Jews have lived in Maryland since 1729. This article is not a summary of that long and very interesting history, recounted in the new book, On Middle Ground: A History of the Jews of Baltimore, by Eric L. Goldstein and Deborah R. Weiner. Rather, I propose to tell a number of short stories – episodes that stand out – that I found enlightening.

Dear Dr. Kidorf,

My family and I have become fans and fervent readers of this column, and it has provided very thoughtful conversations at our Shabbos table. Last month, someone asked about whether they should talk to their son about drinking as they were not a “drinking” family. This hit home for me because I have a similar concern. Sukkos and Simchas Torah are quickly approaching. This time of the year concerns me because there is so much drinking everywhere that it has become part of the Jewish culture. I have been to many shuls where I see men pouring drinks and passing them around. It is so easy for a young boy or girl to pick up one of these drinks without anyone really knowing.

Mushroom Barley Soup

This is a great starter for a Yom Tov night meal. I fondly remember having hot soup on a chilly night in the sukka. Made with all fresh ingredients and no soup mix. My secret to a creamy soup? It’s unsweetened soy milk. When serving with a fleishigs meal, check that the package is parve. I use the brand Nature’s Pantry. Make ahead and defrost when ready to use.

1 c. barley

1 package white button mushrooms or 8 large white mushrooms

1/4 c. white cooking wine

2 large yellow

My closest brush with British royalty was in the summer of 1976. My friend Chaya and I were counselors in a camp located in the Laurentian mountains. How excited we were to receive free tickets – compliments of her father’s congregant – to the Montreal Olympic Games (XXI Olympiad) held about an hour away! It was thrilling to look behind us and get a good glimpse of the British Royal family – the Queen, Prince Philip, Princes Charles, Andrew, and Edward, and Prince Anne’s husband, Mark Phillips – sitting close behind us in the bleachers. They were there to cheer on Princess Anne, a member of the British equestrian team, who rode her mother Queen Elizabeth’s horse, Goodwill.