*In Yiddish…the benefits and good fortune of the ladybug are attributed to Moshe Rabbeinu… she is called ‘moyshe-rabeynes kiele’, meaning Moshe Rabeinu’s little cow, or ‘”moyshe-rabeynes ferdele” , meaning Moshe Rabeinu’s little horse. (*paraphrased from Google snippet). **GAM ZU L’TOVAH is Hebrew for, “THIS TOO IS FOR THE GOOD”.
TORAH REFERENCES:
THE BOOK OF VAYIKRA (Leviticus): Chapter 19 from Jewish Virtual Library
“TEHILLIM – Psalms – Chapter 20”: Chabad.org: Psalm 20 in Hebrew and English.
JUDAISM THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: Jewish Virtual Library
TEN COMMANDMENTS Chabad.org
ON ONE FOOT, WHAT IS HATEFUL TO YOU, DON’T DO… Talmud (Shabbat 31a) –
ME, MYSELF AND I: Ethics of the fathers1:14 Hillel says, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?” Article by Aish.com
THE TORAH and Mitzvah: A Commandment from MyJewishLearning.com
JUDAISM: The 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) from Jewish Virtual Library
WHAT IS SHABBAT? from Chabad.org
SHABBAT- Chapter 30 from Mishneh Torah 30-14 discussed in Chabad.org
THE SHEMA from Chabad.org
CHABADONCAMPUS.ORG: Jewish Student Centers across the globe . From their site: “To you, it’s a home away from home, whether you’re non-practicing, somewhat observant or totally traditional.”
CHABAD.ORG: Wonderful online resource to learn about Jewish Holidays, Torah, Chassidus, and to find a place of Jewish worship anywhere in the world.
HILLEL.ORG: Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Hillel is an International organization which encourages students of all backgrounds to form deep, personal connections to Jewish life through a large variety of program,
HILLELATVIRGINIATECH.ORG: From their page: “Encouraging Jewish students to feel comfortable being who they are during college.”
Hindy Deitsch: Judaic and Hebrew Teacher. Virtual learning available. Email at hindyrdeitsch@gmail.com.
JEWISHVIRTUALLIBRARY.ORG: A broad Jewish online resource covering a large range os topics such as history, politics, culture, religion and more.
LIBRESCU JEWISH STUDENT CENTER: A Chabad Jewish Student Center serving Virginia Tech providing a home away from home.
MAYANOT INSTITUTE: Spiritual, intellectual and experiential learning center in Jerusalem for young Jewish men and women from all backgrounds. “The name ‘Mayanot’ was chosen, based on the verse, “Let thy wellsprings (Mayanot) be dispersed abroad.” (Proverbs 5:16), and captures the essence of our vision – that our students are gaining a deep and enduring knowledge of their Jewish heritage, including the spiritual dimensions, and utilizing what they have learned at Mayanot to enrich their environment and communities back home.”
MEANINGFUL LIFE CENTER: A spiritual wellness center designed to help you find meaning. It is built on the belief that life is precious and that every individual has a unique and indispensable contribution to make.
MYJEWISHLEARNING.COM: Another excellent online resource for Jewish learning, recipes, rituals, and more.
MOISHEHOUSE.ORG: Centers across the globe where young adults in their 20s come together and create vibrant Jewish communities. Events include: holiday and Shabbat celebrations, social events, learning, and even residence opportunities.
MYJLI.COM: JLI’s mission is to make Jewish learning accessible and personally meaningful to every Jew, regardless of background or affiliation. Classes are offered in learning centers Internationally and on the internet.
SHABBOS HOUSE: A Chabad Jewish Student Center serving U Albany, NY
Shimona Tzukernik is an extraordinary Torah teacher and mentor. Here is a link to her site which offers a wide array of learning opportunities, something for everybody
10 HABITS OF GREEN SPEECH: An article highlighting the “Green Speech” campaign promoting Shmirat HaLashon, “guarding the tongue”. Initiated by Rabbi Michael Stern.
BLOG COVER: Rotating including Photos by: Mathilde Pée on Unsplash, Vivi’s design via Canva.com, Johannes Plenio.
SUBSCRIBE PAGE: Photos Rotate: Current photos – “Spark” Photo by Dawid Zawiła on Unsplash “Adventure” Photos created on CANVA.COM, Past Photos: Grass Photo by Aaron Burden@aaronburden, Wall with flowers Photo by Mathilde Pée on Unsplash, Candles Photo by https://unsplash.com/@jarrodreed
ABOUT ME: Photo: by Jody Maki www.facebook.com/jody.maki.
UNSPLASH.COM: Wonderful free resource for photographs and images on the internet. The source of many of our photos.
PIXABAY.COM: Another wonderful source of our free images and royalty free stock.
CANVA.COM: And another great site offering free to use design elements as well as a paid membership option/benefits. Used for our “designed” images such as the ladybug. 🙂
Israel & Dreams Really Can Come True: Eilat Photo by Josh Appel on Unsplash, Entry Photo by Tim Mossholder, Archway Photo by Joshua Sukoff, Heart Photo by Nick Fewings
Yes And… Israel??: Cover Photo by Daniel Newman, Other Photos by Canva.com or Personal collection, Heart Photo by Nick Fewings
GOING BACKWARDS TO MOVE FORWARD: Cover Photo from Canva.com
JEWISH & What Did I Just Do!?: Cover man flying Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash, Bowling ball Photo by Dalton Smith on Unsplash, Shoes Photo by Benjamin Faust on Unsplash, Ant Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay, Girl running Photo by by Yuliya Harbachova from Pixabay
ASL & ENGLISH: Mini Skirts & Jewish: I LOVE YOU Photo by John Hain from Pixabay
SHABBAT AND SCIENCE??! Baby at computer, Screaming woman, and Diamond Photos from from Canva.com.
SIMCHAT TORAH: Elvis Photo from Pexels.com, Hebrew and Feet Photos from Canva.com, Genesis excerpt from Chabad.org
SUKKOT and baby steps: Duck Photo by Christine Sponchia from Pixabay, Prism Photo by Tyler Casey, Muddy boots Photo by Christian Collins from Pixabay, Other Photos from Canva.com
MITZVAH SURPRISES: Treasure Chest and AWE Photos created in Canva.com.
Rosh Hashana and What?: Word photos created in Canva.com, Apple Photo by Igal Ness, Boy running Photo by MI PHAM
MESHUGANA & ROOTS: Cover Photo by Jeremy Bishop
A CRAZY WONDERFUL STORY: Hot dog Photo by Anton, Affirmations Photo from Canva.com
THREE PARTIES and Shabbat: Cover photo and music short from Canva.com, Woman/child Photo by Paolo Bendandi, Flower Photo by corina ardeleanu
FREE MY SOUL: give me the beat: #1 and #2 Music from Bunch of Singers and Alumni from the U of MD” at “NO FEAR: A Rally in Solidarity with the Jewish People”, #3 Shine a Little Light by Yitzi Hurwitz #4 Koolulum singing Matisyahu’s One Day
FALLING IN LOVE WITH JUDAISM: Cover hearts photo from Canva.com, Hamburger Photo by Vic Domic, Balloons Photo by Sofiya Levchenko
A TRUE JEW… mini skirts & all: part 3: Woman in Sunset Photo by StockSnap, Other photos from Canva.com
MINI SKIRTS Part 2: Mini skirt and Flower Photos from Canva.com, Revlon Charlie Commercial (1979) Youtube, Seinfeld – They’re real and they’re spectacular Youtube clip
MINI SKIRTS & JEWISH: Mini skirt Cartoon by MJ Jin, Youtube featuring Shelly Hack 1970’s Charlie By Revlon Perfume Commercial, Deer, Telephone, and Treasure Photos from Canva.com
I GOT NOTHING: Nothing and Brown dog Photo from Canva.com, Dog in blue shirt Photo by Charles Deluvio, Train tracks Photo by Dirk Vetter, Red critter Photo by Christine Sponchia. Lion Photo by Birger Strahl, Toddler Photo by Reynardo Etenia Wongso
A GLIMPSE OF THE QUEEN: Chess Photo by Gordon Johnson, Ice cream Photo by Ross Sokolovski, Bagel Photo by Romjan Aly, all other Photos from Canva.com
GREEN SPEECH: Photos from Canva.com
IRREVERENT LOVE: Cover cartoon Photo by Prawny, Animal Photo from Canva.com, Love on wood Photo by Alex Block, Birds Photo by Jason Hafso, Coffee Photo by Danielle MacInnes, Love to moon Photo by Rod Long, Heart lock Photo by engin akyurt
THE SHABBOS WHALE: Whale cartoon designed on Canva.com, Cat photosforyou from Pixabay, Social Media Photo by Gian Cescon on Unsplash, Tornado Photo by NOAA, Witch’s feet Photo by Please Don’t sell My Artwork AS IS from Pixabay , Whale Photo by Jackie Eggins
turn, turn, turn: Cover bird photo and others by canva.com, Litttle girl photo by Caroline Hernandez.
SILENT: Jewish Star Photo by David Holifieldby, Candle Photo by Siora Photography
THE WISDOM OF A FOOL’S GAME: YT: THE MOM SONG (William Tell Momisms), YT: ROSSINI: William Tell Orchestra: Final with Horse Run, Clown Photo by Sabrina B., Flower bud Photo by 5598375 from Pixabay, Woman with hair in mouth photo by Alexander Krivitskiy, Horses Photo by Florin Beudean, Various Photos from Canva.com
THE HARDEST OF ALL: humility: Man in red Photo by Kyle Smith, Shoes Photo by Md. Zahid Hasan Joy, Baby Photo by Taksh Chhabra, Bulldogs and Yalla made at Canva.com
ON A WING & A PRAYER: Jet Photo by Pixabay, Snow Angel Photo by Jimmy Conover , Rooster Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak, Vaulter Photo by Randy Fath, Other Photos from Canva.com
LAUGH, SURRENDER & SAY THANKS: Frog Photo by Canva.com, Teddy Bear Photo by Ryan McGuire Seinfeld Youtube “Yada Yada Yada” Episode for a little fun
A QUIRKY TAMBOURINE: Lion Cover Photo by Sarah Richter, Woman with Matzah Photo by Ri Butov, Percussion courtesy of Vivi’s collection 🙂
AND THE WOMEN DANCED: Passover Meal/Sebastian Maniscalco: Aren’t You Embarassed: Very funny Youtube video from an Italian guest at Passover meal. Photos all created on Canva.com, Videos by Zack Silverman, Savannah Kenvin, and Mark Silverman
WE PLAN, G-D LAUGHS: Whole World Video on YouTube, STUNNING YouTube Video of Whole World by various musicians, Live music Photo by Clem Onojeghuo, Laughing girl Photo by Jordan Rowland , Cover image created on Canva.com
TEXAS, ISRAEL, & KOSHER: Jerusalem Photo by Sander Crombach, Texas Photo by Enrique Macias, Bird Photo by Cole Keister, Kosher Pizza Photo by Nick Clement, Roof and Flower Photos by Vivi, Map Photo by Julentto Photography, Jerusalem Umbrella Photo by Daniel Newman
SHOMER SHABBOS: Candles Photo by Tina Witherspoon, Cell Phone Photo by 99mimimi from Pixabay, Bored girl Photo by Pexels from Pixabay , Woman Hat Photo by Jill Wellington from Pixabay, Canva.com Photos scattered throughout!
THE BATHROOM G0D SEQUEL: Taxi Photo by Jenna Day, Cat Photo by Brad Pearson, NYC Sunrise Photo by Pierre Blaché @ Pixabay, Grand Central Photo by Nicolai Bernsten, Reg/Vivi by friend, Bagel Photo by Patrick Perkins, Warehouse Photo by Kael Bloom, Kangaroo Photo by Suzuha Kozuki, Family Photo of my mom, grandma & Uncle Al, Paper clip Photo by Christin Hume, Jewish Star Photo by David Holifield
THE BATHROOM & G0D: Cover Photo (Cat) by Brad Pearson, Thorns Photo by WalksWithAngels, Clearing Photo by wal_172619, Kitchen Photo by Vivi, Paint Can Photo by Jossué Trejo, Dog walking Photo by Gillian Vann, NYC Photo by Andreas M, Boy Photo by Ben White
LOOPY: Cover Eggs Photo by Tengyart, Hands Drawing by Claudio Schwarz, Hands Photo by Elia Pellegrini, Boxing Photo by Xuan Nguyen, Little Dancer Photo by Solen Feyissa, Baseball Photo by Keith Johnston, Photo by Raindom
HOPES, DREAMS: Water/Swan Photo by Robert Thiemann, Eyes Photo by Luis Galvez, Balloon Photo by Nathan Dumlao, Dog Photo by Mitchell Luo, Images in “Fight Song” from Canva.com
PROPOSALS: Man#1 Photo by Karsten Winegeart, Woman Photo by Robin Higgins, Man#2 Photo by krakenimages , Dog Photo by Kseniia Ilinykh, Red flower Photo by Wynand van PoortvlietLittle, White flower Photo by Aaron Burden, Girl Photo by Caleb Woods, Heart Photo by Nick Fewings , Ring Photo by Matheus Ferrero, LOVE YOU Photo by Rod Long, YOU TUBE: Peter Santenello, Rabbi Tzvi Sytner’s: “The Shema…” at Aish.com
RED ROVER: Cover Photo by Ben Wicks, International Red Rover Championships Video, Cedarmont Kids- Skinny Markinky Dinky Dink Video, Doorways Photo by Elizabeth Gottwald, Girl running Photo by Mary Beth McCutcheon, Rabbi Nachman music video, Rabbi Nachman Breslov.co.il Link, Rabbi Nachman link at Breslov.org, Meme by Vivi at Canva, The Essential Rabbi Nachman sayings from Azamra.org.
THE EMPTY NEST: Cover Birds Photo by Hiva Sarif, Broadway Photo by Andreas H. from Pixabay, Monkey Photo by Jamie Haughton, Nest Photo by Jurate Cesnaite, Star Photo by Aziz Acharki, Family Photos and Newspaper clippings from scrapbooks & home computers
AN AMERICAN DREAM: Cover Photo from family pic, Bronx Photo by Renan Kamikoga, Jukebox Photo by Heather Gill, Garden Photo from family pic, Bridge Photo by Free-Photos from Pixabay, Cartoon woman Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay, Vivi & friend Photo from high school, Stick figure Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay, Angel Photo by Jason Goh from Pixabay, Motorcycle Image by Ronald Plett from Pixabay, Dad Photos from family
A CATHOLIC, A JEW: Cover Photo by Anna, Baseball Photo by Keith Johnston, Checklist Photo by Morgan K, Marble Photo by Marina Reich, Sheep Photo by Daniel Morton, Outback Landscape Photo by getspotted , Bridge. Photo by Tim Rebkavets, Pink Blossom Photo by Lucas D., Reggie’s Garden Video by Reggie 
A NEW DAY: Cover Photo by Mana5280, Two Children Photo by Ben White, Thank you Photo by Daniel Andrade , Modeh Ani Video courtesy of Home movies 🙂
TOES: Cover Photo by Christopher Sardegna, Colors Photo by Sharon McCutcheon, Shabbat Photo from Canva.com, Texas Photo by Enrique Macias, Candles Photo by Ri-Ya, Feet Ocean Photo by Kelly Sikkema, Toes: Zac Brown Band
THE POSSIBILITY OF G0D: Cover Photo: My son’s drawing!, Dishes Photo by Brooke Lark, Heart Tissue Boxes: Made by young sons, Rabbit Photo by Emiliano Vittoriosi, Little girl Photo from Pixabay from Pexels, Lion Photo by Adam King, WANT Photo by Jen Theodore, Cracked earth Photo by iconO.com, Dream Big Photo by NeONBRAND
MY DAD: Cover Photo and other Dad Photos from family, Headstone Photo by Thomas Rudesheim at Pixabay, Woman on couch Photo by Toa Heftiba, Orchid Photo by Chinnu Indrakumar, Gallery Photo by Kalhh, Woman running Photo by Harry Cunningham, Restaurant Photo by Annie Spratt
BASEBALL, G0D & DISCO?: Cover Photo by Cheryl Holt, Disco Photo Courtesy of Pixabay, Flower Photo by Saffu, Leaping Photo by Sammie Vasquez, Confetti Photo by KTPhotography
TRACHT GUT VET ZAYN GUT: Cover Photo (and 2nd hands photo) by Liv Bruce, Baby’s feet Photo by Heike Mintel, Heart Photo by Steve Halama
THE SABBATH QUEEN: Cover Photo by Rui Silva sj, Challah Photo by cottonbro , Man walking Photo by Viktor Talashuk, Heart Photo by Andrew Buchanan
ALL DRESSED UP: Cover Photo by Alice Alinari, Ice cream Photo by Brendan Church, Pizza Photo by Nicolás Perondi
LEAVING JUDAISM?: Cover Photo courtesy of ‘my bubbe’s’ real life menorah, Donuts Photo by Sheri Silver, DONUTS word Photo by DJ Johnson, Pile of books Photo by Gaelle Marcel. Gold/pink Photo by Sharon McCutcheon
DAVID’S STAR: Cover Photo courtesy of Kobi, photo of star over blue sky by unsplash.com/@davidholifield THERE WAS NO MISTAKE: Cover Photo by unsplash.com/@lesanches, ‘Reeds’ photo by unsplash.com/@gebhartyler
TRAUMA:Yom Kippur-freedom Cover Photo by @ben_vaughn_189, ‘Bright ball of light’ Photo by trevinrudy.com, ‘Child in light’ Photo by unsplash.com/photos/2ZTUN-_NyBs
DISILLUSIONED: and cracking open Photo by Myriam Zilles
ROSH HASHANA: Cover Photo by KS KYUNG@mygallery, ‘Spiral’ Photo by zurareid@gmail.com, ‘Billboard’ Photo by https://unsplash.com/@sakethgaruda, ‘Kermit’ Photo by instagram.com/marcerogante, ‘Field of flowers’ Photo by MIO ITO@mioitophotography
SWINGSTER: Cover Photo by family friend, Sonny yearbook Photos from ancestry.com, Neon sign Photo by joshstyle.com, HOOKED ON SWING DANCING (Big band era) youtube video, SWING DANCE FLASH MOB 2011 youtube video, I HOPE YOU DANCE – Leanna Womack youtube.com/watch
ADAM SANDLER: MESHUGANA 2.0: Adam Sandler Chanukah song live: youtube.com/watch AND Zack/Kobi video by www.markjsilverman.com/
THE FORGOTTEN ONES: Photo by instagram.com/juandinella
ZAIDY AND BUBBE:A love story Family Photos
THE JUNKYARD BAND: hi, hello. what’s up? “Junkyard Band 19th & M, the Early Days” Youtube video, www.randibarros.com/ Photos from the street concert
THE PHYSICS OF LOVE: Family Photo
BULLIED: Photo by unsplash.com/@avasol
PARENTS PASSING And the new family: Family Photos
POOR GIRL FROM BRONX: Hot dog Photo by Sudan Ouyang@sdoy1995, Family Photo
MESHUGANA: Building Photo by Niklas Herrmann on Unsplash niklasherrmann.net, Family Photo
IMMIGRANT’S STORY: Photo by Mathilde Pée on Unsplash
YOUR STORIES: Photo by S O C I A L . C U T@socialcut
MAMA LOSHEN: free gift yiddish dictionary Photo by Mick Haupt.
I’d LOVE you to join our mailing list. You can sign up below or go to “Subscribe” at the top. It’d be lovely to get to know you a bit.
Love, Vivi