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Lionel J. Perez is a lawyer specializing in corporate law and the co-founder and President of CorporationCentre.ca, Canada's leading online legal document filing and business registration service provider offering a full range of affordable, easy-to-use and convenient document filing services to Canadian small businesses. Prior to founding CorporationCentre.ca, Lionel practiced corporate commercial law with a technology law firm advising start-ups and publicly traded corporations. Lionel holds law degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto and the Université de Montréal. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
WEBSITE: http://www.corporationcentre.ca
Working with CAN-SPAM and the Canadian Privacy Act
Are Canadian Courts Adapting with New Technologies?
Canadas New Anti-Spam Legislation How does it affect your business?
Creating a contract - protecting yourself and your business
The business plan and why you need it
Financing Options for Start-ups
Overview of the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act
Small business financing - tapping into Ottawa\'s R&D tax incentive program
Researching your Business Opportunity
Why small businesses are important for the Canadian economy
Doing Business in Canada - What You Should Know
Annual Government Filings & Minutes - Corporate Maintenance and Compliance
Should Franchises be Incorporated?
Types of Business Organizations
Why Register a Canadian Trademark? Trademarks Defined and Explained
Selection of a Corporate Name
In the last year or two, we have reached an interesting tipping point ... Read more.


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Below is the poem entitled Doubt which was written by poet
Basar. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.
Read Poems by
Diba Basar
Silence encased
Even the fadest sound unheard
Only the voices in my heart muddling violently
In a vicious noise, without even making a sound
This weakness is Your gift
To keep me from arrogance
This doubt is Your gift
To guide me to Your arms
But when the heart just can't understand
Brace me, my True Love
To keep me in this journey, no matter weary
Towards the true meaning
Of life

subset: commoncrawl


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In what is thought to be the "biggest action since the 1926 general strike", millions of public sector workers plan to strike tomorrow, Wednesday 30 November, after an agreement about pensions could not be reached with the Government.
The industrial action, occurring nationwide, are to be co-ordinated by the Trade Union Congress and will involve around 50 branches of 30 unions, seven of which are not affiliated with the TUC. The unions will represent 2.6 million workers from different public sector industries including hospital workers and teachers.
The recently proposed changes to pensions such as extending the state pension age, forcing workers to pay more from their salaries into their pensions, making them work longer hours and forcing them to accept pensions based on "career average salaries" rather than final salaries, are the reasons behind the strike action.
TUC leader Brendan Barber said: "This will be the biggest strike for a generation. The sense of frustration and the sense of real injustice and anger is enormously strong across a number of unions who have never taken action before."
A deal with the Government could not be reached since, "on some of the key issues involved in this difficult issue they [the Government] have been simply unwilling to reconsider their position at all, that has made it extremely difficult."
Ministers had proposed a new offer in October which would ensure that people within ten years of retirement would not have to work longer or have a reduced pension. It also promised a more generous accrual rate.
Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said it was a "very good offer", especially as there was "no more money on the table" to resolve the pensions dispute.
He has also confirmed that the new offer may be retracted since an agreement could not be reached.
He said: "I reserve the right to take those enhancements off the table if an agreement can't be reached. I don't want to do that. I don't want to be in that position. I want to be in a position where we have got an agreement."
As a result of the strike, it is expected that two thirds of schools will close. Prime Minister David Cameron has urged employers to allow children to accompany their parents to work.
Disruptions will occur to job centres, driving tests, council services, government offices, courts and border controls.
Hospitals will not be closed but may suffer delays since some staff members will be on strike.
There will be marches, pickets and rallies around the country on 30 November.
Related links:
Read more on the story (Yahoo! News)
Taking part in industrial action (FindLaw)
Find local employment solicitors throughout the UK (FindLaw)


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Momentous changes are coming to the University of Oregon. Lines of power and authority built up over the university's 137-year history are being realigned in a single year.
The faculty voted to form a union, and now the administration has to bargain on salaries and working conditions — throughout the long, hot summer. The governor plans to appoint a new board of trustees in August to more intimately supervise UO President Michael Gottfredson and university operations.
Everything is up in the air.
"I've never seen quite this degree of change in so many ways," said Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Barbara Altmann, who has worked at the university for nearly a quarter-century.


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Hang tight!
Recipe by SMILEJENNA
"This is the perfect sauce for dipping lumpia."
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1 cup
1 cup
brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons
2 tablespoons
minced garlic, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon
red pepper flakes
This sauce was absolutely delicious... I followed the recipe except for the garlic I just used some Garlic-Jalapeno paste, and I put more crushed red pepper... I love spicy... and a friend also commented this could even be used for chicken wings... Haha I tasted the sauce and at first it tasted sweet then you feel the hotness after about 15 seconds lol...
Sorry, but we didn't really like this. It didn't taste like most lumpia sauce I have had. It was really sweet. We love garlic too, but it seemed like 2 tbsp. was a little to much.
18 Ratings
A wonderful sweetness & tiny bit of spice is the perfect compliment for lumpias, thanks for the recipe!
Very good. Adjust garlic and red pepper flakes to taste. I added almost twice as much red pepper flakes and only made half the recipe. A keeper.
Tasty and very easy sauce. I upped the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon & it really gave it a great heat. Withouth the spicy notes it would be way too syrupy sweet.
Everyone enjoyed it, a bit sweet but it went really well with the lumpia.
Really good sauce - nice mix of sweet and hot. It probably could stand to be a little hotter...
This was a great recipe, but a little bit too sweet for us. I made it as written to start and then added a second cup of water; it's still too sugary though it worked great as a sauce. I'd recommend adding the brown sugar in a little bit at a time until the taste is right.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Smilejenna's Lumpia Sauce
Serving Size: 1/12 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 76
Calories from Fat: < 1
Hard to believe, but many kids will be back in school at the end of the month. Get ready.
You won't believe all the things you can do with cauliflower. It's a great low-carb option.
Delicious recipes, party ideas, and cooking tips! Get a year of Allrecipes magazine for $7.99!
A traditional sweet and sour sauce for meatballs, tempura, egg rolls, and more.
See how to make traditional Japanese teriyaki sauce from scratch.
See how to make a simple no-cook peanut sauce.


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Monthly Archive for November, 2008
Ryder Cup team honored at White House reception
News courtesy the PGA of America: WASHINGTON — Members of the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team and captain Paul Azinger received a warm White House welcome this afternoon by President Bush, who declared that he was an avid follower of "every minute" of the march to victory by the first American team since 1999 to […] [Read More]
ESPN signs eight-year deal for British Open
As speculated here yesterday, ESPN announced today that it will have exclusive live U.S. rights to all four rounds of the British Open, beginning in 2010. For more, click here. [Read More]
British Open likely headed to cable (all four rounds) in 2010
Turner Sports released a statement this afternoon announcing that it has opted not to extend its agreement with the R&A to televise the British Open beyond 2009. That means the rights likely will go to ESPN, which is looking to put all four rounds on cable. ABC has shown the final two rounds for the […] [Read More]
Here's your chance to play Bethpage before the U.S. Open
Golf Digest is offering its second annual U.S. Open Challenge, and the winner get to test his skills at Bethpage Black, site of the 2009 championship. The contest, held in conjuction with the U.S. Golf Association and NBC Sports, asked the average American golfer: "What Would You Shoot on a U.S. Open course." Hopeful participants have […] [Read More]


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February 11, 2013
William F. Lindsey, M.D. has joined Advanced Wound Care of St. Elizabeth Medical Center as a full-time physician. Dr. Lindsey was in private practice at Oneida Surgical Group for the past 27 years.
Dr. Lindsey is Board Certified by the American College of Surgeons. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Lindsey completed a General Surgery Residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Illinois at the Medical Center. He currently serves as a Clinical Adjunct Faculty member of LeMoyne College in Syracuse and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester.
Dr. Lindsey serves on the Medical Staff of both St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Oneida Healthcare Center.
He and his wife, Sheila, are residents of Chittenango. They are parents of four children and 7 grandchildren.


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Fans of the former Tahitian Terrace will be happy to learn about this new offering of Polynesian-influenced food in a tiki setting. Breakfast is served, along with an all-day menu. Nightly dinner specials are posted at the order kiosk.
Breakfast Platter - Scrambled eggs, bacon, roasted potatoes, and a biscuit. $6.99
Breakfast Wrap - Scrambled eggs, ham, avocado, and shredded cheese in a whole-wheat wrap, served with roasted potatoes. $6.99
Egg White, Vegetable and Tofu Bake - Filled with silken tofu, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and cheese, topped with sauteed mushroom tomato vinaigrette and served with fresh fruit. $6.99
French Toast - Topped with warm banana-caramel sauce, dusted with powdered sugar and served with bacon. $6.99
Grilled Cinnamon-Spiced Oatmeal Cakes - Served with island fruit compote and Greek yogurt. $5.99
Blueberry Muffin, $2.99
Cinnamon Roll, $3.99
Fruit Danish, $3.19
Pineapple-Macadamia Nut Muffin, $2.99
Kid's meals include choice of small low-fat milk, Minute Maid juice box or small Dasani water.
Kid's Breakfast Platter - Scrambled eggs, bacon and roasted potatoes. $5.99
Kid's French Toast - Dusted with powdered sugar and served with bacon and fresh fruit. $5.99
Served 11 a.m. to closing
Angus 1/3 lb. Hawaiian Cheeseburger - Ground Angus burger with Teriyaki sauce, fresh grilled pineapple, havarti cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato on a multigrain bun with choice of sweet potato fries or green papaya slaw, $11.19
Angus 1/3 lb. Cheeseburger - Ground Angus burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and our classic sauce on a multigrain bun with choice of sweet potato fries or green papaya slaw, $9.99
Barbecue Chicken Sandwich - Panko-crusted chicken breast, tamarind barbecue sauce and green papaya slaw on a multigrain bun served with sweet potato fries, $9.79
Island Fish and Chips - Panko-crusted fish and sweet potato fries served with lime tartar sauce, $9.99
Served 11 a.m. to closing
Asian Chicken Salad - Diced chicken breast on a blend of fresh lettuces, cabbage, carrots, red and gold bell peppers with cashews, cucumbers, enoki mushrooms and rice noodles tossed in a sesame vinaigrette, $9.49
Crispy Tofu Salad - Ginger-soy marinated tofu fried crispy in a coconut panko breading, served atop a blend of fresh lettuces, cabbage, carrots, red and gold bell peppers and grape tomatoes lightly tossed in a citrus vinaigrette, $9.49
Kalua Pork Flatbread - Pulled pork, barbecue sauce, red onion, cilantro and mozzarella cheese, $9.29
Cheese Flatbread - Marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, $8.29
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich, $8.19
Tropical Fruit Plate, $7.99
Garden Salad, $4.39
Look for our daily dinner specials at the order kiosk!
Teriyaki New York, $14.99
Miso Crusted Salmon, $14.99
Chicken Katsu, $11.99
Fresh Fruit and Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt Parfait, $4.99
Fuji Apple Crisps, $2.99
Large Bag of Chips, $2.99
Whole Fruit, $1.99
Yogurt, $1.99
Grilled Salmon - served with rice and fruit. Includes choice of small lowfat milk or small Dasani water. Meets Disney Nutrition Guidelines for Complete Meals without substitutions, $6.99
Kid's meals include choice of small low-fat milk, Minute Maid juice box or small Dasani water.
Hamburger - Served with jasmine rice and fresh fruit. $6.49
Chicken Nuggets - Served with jasmine rice and fresh fruit. $6.49
Kid's POWER Pack - Served with string cheese, Dannon Danimals Yogurt, sliced apples, and whole grain "fish" crackers, $5.99
Dessert Flight - Passion fruit parfait in a decadent dessert with a tart punch. The chocolate brownie is a chocolate lover's dream. This pastry is rich and decadent. The pineapple upside down cake is a moist cake with a carmelized pineapple ring, $8.19
Sweet Memories Cake - 2 layers of chocolate sponge cake, one layer of caramel chocolate mix with wafer cone crumbs, one layer of chocolate Bavarian cream, one layer of caramel pastry cream, and one layer of chocoale ganache, $5.19
Chocolate Chip Cookie, $3.29
Minute Maid Soft Frozen Lemonade, $3.89
Minute Maid Soft Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, $3.89
Nestle Mickey's Premium Ice Cream Bar, $3.89
Nestle Mickey's Premium Ice Cream Sandwich, $3.89
Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich, $4.19
Strawberry Fruit Bar, $3.89
Assorted Bottled Beverages, $2.99
Dasani Bottled Beverages, $2.79
Honest Tea, $3.59
Large Nesquik Milk, $2.79
Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Raspberry Juice, $2.99
Minute Maid Juice Box, $1.79
Powerade, $3.19
Simply Lemonade, $4.29
Simply Orange, $4.29
Small Dasani Water, $1.79
Milk, $1.79
Small Low-Fat Nesquik Milk, $1.79
V8-juice, $2.29
smartwater, $3.79
vitaminwater, $3.69
Bud Light, $6.50
Coors Light, $6.50
Heineken, $6.25
If a menu is presented here it is for guidance purposes only. Menus can change without notice and at some restaurants daily. If you have specific dietary needs or questions it is best to contact the restaurant directly for information. If you'd like to notify us that a menu has changed, or you can provide the complete information, please let us know through our email form.
Offsite Links (we cannot vouch for their accuracy or timeliness)
You can help us keep these guides current. If you see anything incorrect on this page, or if you have additional information that should be added, please fill out our form.


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Public History Students
Casey Mills
Hello! My name is Casey Mills. I am a second year Masters student at UNA, pursuing a degree in history with a concentration in public history. My hometown is Russellville, AL. I graduated from UNA in 2012 with a BS in history, with a minor in political science. My interest in history was instilled in me as a child. Every summer my family and I would travel west and visit many of our nation's beautiful national parks. Whether it was the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or one of my favorites, Mesa Verde, learning the history of each park was one of my favorite parts of the trips. When I heard the UNA was starting a public history program, I was immediately interested. Learning and teaching history through active, hands-on-methods sounded like something I wanted to do. Whether its archaeology, material culture, museums, archives or documentary films, I've come to realize that there are many ways to study, learn, and teach history outside of the classroom. I've learned so much over the past year, from museum management, to how to conduct oral history interviews, to using archives and how to examine and tell the history of ordinary Americans. I currently am a graduate assistant in the UNA Archives. I am excited to see what the rest of the program holds and what lies ahead in my future!
Kayla Scott
I received my BA in History in 2103 from Athens State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. I was also chosen for the Outstanding History Major award. I have lived in Middle Tennessee my entire life, so I have been able to visit a number of historic sites, which have helped to shape my interests. My favorite, by far, is Shiloh National Military Park. Visiting the battlefield helped lead to my interest in the Civil War. While reading about history is great, visiting a location where historic events actually occurred or where historical artifacts are displayed creates the best learning experience. Visiting locations including the James K. Polk home in Columbia, TN and the Indian Mound in Florence, AL, has given me a great appreciation for the work of public history. Having the privilege of walking where U.S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and Albert Sindey Johnston did during the Battle of Shiloh brings the past alive for me. I love history! I want to be able to share my passion for historical events with others. Pursuing an MA in history with a concentration in Public History and working with the UNA Center for Public History as a graduate assistant are a perfect fit with my interests.
Dylan Tucker
I am originally from a small town in Walker County, AL, called Kansas. I attended Carbon Hill High School, graduating in 2010. After high school I moved to Florence, AL, and began my first steps towards a BA in history, with a minor in geography. During the summer following my first year of college, I participated in a study abroad trip to London. This experience exposed me to a whole new historical world - both in terms of the research I conducted and the city itself. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my history degree until I took Dr. Barske's Public History course my senior year. I then realized that I wanted to pursue a career in public history. During the second semester of my senior year I interned at the UNA archives under the supervision of Louise Huddleston. After graduating in May of 2014, I worked as a summer seasonal in the living history program at Fort Morgan, gaining experience in giving tours, firing period weapons, and maintaining the site. I started the MA program in the fall of 2014 and have a graduate assistantship with the UNA Public History Center.
Jesse Brock
My name is Jesse Brock and I am currently a student in the UNA Master's Program with a concentration in Public History. I received my Bachelor's degree in History in May of 2013 at Young Harris College, a small private institution in the North Georgia Mountains. When I first started college I was originally set on becoming a lawyer. This changed when I took a course on the Great Depression during my junior year, where I discovered my true love. Public History will give me the knowledge on how to look at sources and history in general from a different perspective. I am interested in cultural history, particularly focusing on the study of Appalachia. This year I will be working as a graduate assistant with the Muscles Shoals National Heritage Area where I will be completing various projects. Currently I am in the process of establishing a grant program for the MSNHA.
Ashley Pentecost
My introduction into the field of Public History came when I started working at Pond Spring--the General Joe Wheeler home as a Curatorial Intern while I was still in high school. After high school, I attending Cottey College, a two-year school for Women in Nevada, Missouri and there I continued working in the field of Public History by interning at the Bushwhacker Museum--a museum highlighting the interaction between the Bushwhackers and Jayhawks during the Civil War. Upon my graduation from Cottey College, I transferred back home where I continued my work at Pond Spring and earned my Bachelor's degree from Athens State University in August 2013. After meeting with Dr. Barske, I knew that the small classes and hands-on experience that the Public History program at UNA provided would be perfect for me. While I am most interested in collections, the wide-ranging curriculum taught in UNA's Public History program will allow me to be more marketable, while still allowing me to specialize in my area of interest.
Hannah Garmon
I graduated from the University of North Alabama in May 2012 with a Bachelor's in History and a minor in Political Science. While there I went on the first study abroad trip to London, England during the summer of 2011. This trip changed my life and this is where I fell into public history. My project was on Hampton Court and how Cardinal Wolsey used this palace to portray the image he wanted people to have of him. The research that I did for this project sparked an interest for me in architectural history and how people relate to buildings.
As a Master's student at the University of North Alabama I hope to continue this line of thought. I hope to focus my thesis on Gothic Revival Architecture and its role in the South. I am currently working on a National Register Nomination for FAME Records in Muscle Shoals, AL.
Clint Alley
I am originally from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. I have loved history and the preservation of memory from an early age. In the summer of 2000, I participated in an SEAC archaeological dig which discovered and preserved important relics from the main Temple Mound at Shiloh National Military Park. I obtained my undergraduate degree in history and journalism from the University of North Alabama in 2006. I earned a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in history from UNA in 2009. My main interest in the field of history has always been the American Civil War. In December 2012, my research paper Culture of Violence: Livestock, Honor, and Feuding in the Scottish Borders was published in the North Alabama Historical Review. My current graduate work in public history focuses on archival preservation, which I anticipate will aid me in my role as the head of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library's Digital Archive department and will also become the basis of my doctoral work.
Mickey Lollar
Education: I have a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, with certifications to teach the Social Sciences, English-Language Arts/Reading, and Music. Due to my many interests, want of experience, and mission to help, I also hold Health & Safety Instructor certifications through the American Red Cross and have attended an array of diverse environment survival courses. Additionally, I participated in literary internships that allowed a greater insight into the crafting of various genres.
Employment: Leaving twelve years of public education behind, I am now a full-time graduate student. I also participate in antiquity procurement and consultation for private clients and offer supplemental lessons and tailored field-trips for students and their parents. Otherwise and when time permits, I am a freelance writer that has contributed travel/public interest articles, content for test preparation materials, and will eventually finish that long-lamented novel! I also enjoy public speaking engagements on the topics of the Social Sciences, Creative Writing, Career Counseling, and Travel for leisure and education. During the summer months, I teach "Stones & Bones: An Introduction to the Historical Sciences" for the University of North Alabama's Department of Continuing Education. I am excited to be back in U.N.A.'s History Department- my second home- and have great plans for the future!
Why "Public History"?: Dissatisfied with the direction of public education curriculum and its negative consequences, I began looking into graduate programs. With U.N.A. as my obvious first choice, I was informed that a "Public History" concentration was being added to the History Department options. This course of study will allow me to gain experience and follow a path offered by a scarce few universities in Alabama. The program is also spearheaded by the profoundly knowledgeable, approachable, and concerned Dr. Carolyn Barske- a tribute to the profession- and a student can rest assured that their education will be thorough, comprehensive, and individualized.
Future Plans: During my time at U.N.A. and after graduation, I plan on focusing my professional attention on Historical Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management. I would also like to work in tandem with Homeland Security/I.C.E. in the area of the antiquities trade. Otherwise, I will continue to pursue freelance writing and public speaking opportunities and plan to realize my dream of owning a jazz and blues club.
Contact Information: If I can be of help in any way, please feel free to contact me at email@example.com.
Public History Alumni
December 2013, Kristen Tippett Briggs. MA Thesis: "The Ties that Bind: The Educational and Literary Journeys of Caroline Lee Hentz and Maud Lindsay"
May 2014, Wesley Garmon. MA Thesis: "The Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House: A Strategic Plan for Development". Wes is employed at the Alabama Department of History and Archives as a museum education outreach coordinator.


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Looking for a job? Still not easy to find, but the unemployment rate fell last month in Steuben and Livingston counties.
In Steuben, the jobless rate was down 2/10ths of a percent to 8.2%. In Livingston county, unemployment was down to 6.7%. The job picture is much better in Livingston than much of the state. Livingston ranks 23rd for unemployment for New York counties, while Steuben County ranks number 52.


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Pop Culture
Married at First Sight Exclusive InterviewBy Gerri Miller
An interview with Greg Epstein, Married at First Sight's spiritual advisor on the show and how to help interfaith couples #ChooseLoveGo To Pop Culture
Judaism through Food and Crafts
Recently, my family and I attended a "Sunday in the Park with Bagels" event sponsored by Big Tent Judaism, which appeared to be a consortium of Reconstructionist and Reform Jewish organizations, including InterfaithFamily.
I didn't research the event beforehand and didn't know what to really expect. Bagels were a great selling point, of course! But I thought it would just be few families camped out on blankets, eating bagels. I learned about the event from the IFF/Chicago's Facebook group, and knowing how my family feels about bagels at any time of day, I knew it would be something we'd enjoy, particularly in a park on a nice sunny morning. I had no idea that we'd be a part of a very well-attended and well-thought-out morning of Jewish education and, yes, bagels.
When we arrived, we found more than a dozen tents, each hosted by a local Jewish organization and featuring a food and a craft activity based on a moment in the Jewish liturgical year.
The first table we visited was Rosh Hashanah, and Laurel jumped at the chance to decorate an apple with stickers and crayons, as well as stringing beads on it to make a necklace. We didn't follow a regular order from table-to-table, as Laurel spent considerable time decorating her apple, and 2-year-old Holly preferred to wander much more speedily from table-to-table in search of games and, preferably, food.
Both children eagerly rolled blue paper around two toilet paper rolls, topped with silver tin-foil points, to make their own tiny Torahs. We found the promised bagels at the Shavuot table, where Rabbi Ari wore a paper crown with green leaves. She helpfully explained that the leaves were a reference to the idea that Mount Sinai had actually been a desert oasis. Both kids ate the bagels with relief and delight! Laurel made a crown, while Holly determinedly stuffed bean bags directly into the goal point of the bean-bag-toss game.
Nearby, we saw representatives wearing gold paper crowns on their heads, and guessed correctly that we'd found Purim. Holly focused on the hamantaschen at the table, while Laurel skillfully decorated the front and back of an appropriately abrasively noisy wooden gregor. We somehow avoided Sukkot, which offered falling-down sukkahs made of graham crackers and melting green icing (in a summery and sugary rendition of a Jewish gingerbread house).
By the time we worked our meandering way to the Shabbat table, I found myself fully in the arts-and-crafts mode, too. At the Shabbat table, the craft consisted of using permanent markers to decorate a challah cover, and I wanted to help little Holly not get permanent marker all over the wrong places (such as her clothes). I grabbed a cut-out of a challah, placed it on the center of the cover, and traced it. Holly scribbled big black lines along the bottom. I grabbed a candlestick and placed it just above and to the left of the challah, and traced it. I was about to trace a Jewish star when I decided it would be really strange not to add the second customary Shabbat candlestick to my challah cover, so I traced a second candlestick as well, and drew a couple of free-hand flames on each. Holly scribbled gleeful blue lines all over the orange challah in the center. When we finished, we all enjoyed a slice of challah to cap the experience.
Working side-by-side with my children, I found an open and accessible entry point into the Jewish childhood I never had, but which my children are clearly enjoying. This version of Judaism centered on food and crafts rather than Torah, Talmud and ritual observance. Certainly, the emphasis came in part from the types of Jewish organizations sponsoring the event, but the end result emphasized Judaism as something accessible and fun for the whole family, even for family members of a different faith. Some of the crafts my kids made, like the challah cover or the gregor, will likely serve a ritual purpose in our home. The crafts allowed even the youngest of children a way to enjoy the Jewish environment.
Even more so, food is the great equalizer. By eating together, people cement their shared allegiance. That morning, it wasn't the food of kosher laws that brought people together, but the simple act of eating foods in a Jewish context—from the menorah dripped with too much icing and sprinkles to the off-season hamentaschen (Purim cookie). Food transcended both age and artistic ability: Everyone, of whatever age or background could enjoy a slice of challah or an icing-dipped graham cracker. No wonder the tote bag said "We 'heart' Jewish food!"
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Airplane Mode, or How to Start Working on Your High Holiday Resolutions Early
This is a post about the High Holidays. I know, you're not ready for them. Neither am I. It'd be way better if I just left you alone for two months and let you soak up every moment of summer. Good news, then: This is about that, too.
Two years ago, I wrote a post declaring my resolution to unplug on Shabbat for the Year 5774. Two months after that, I wrote and fessed up that I was not doing a very good job at unplugging. It didn't get much better. Entirely unplugging can be challenging – in my experience, when I really tried to do it, I was surprised to learn how many things I "plug in" to do that I hadn't fully considered up front.
Limiting screen use and unplugging all together seem like such important goals, ones that I am sure will be on many people's lists as they spend the Days of Awe considering how to be better individuals, and parents, in 5776. While I frame my pitch around High Holiday resolutions, hopefully this concept works across the spectrum of observance, parental status and whatever else makes your situation just a little different.
So I say, get ahead of the ball this summer. Summer is not without its unique screen time challenges. More leisure time for kids can mean more time spent asking for the screen. The lure of an air-conditioned media room can be very seductive when the temperature and humidity climb. And travel can lead to lots more excuses to pull your phone out of your pocket. But on the flip side, consider this tale from my very own July vacation.
Eric and I were very lucky to spend four glorious days in Northern New Mexico celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. While we were in New Mexico, Eric's family generously looked after our girls, and took them on a fantastic camping adventure high in the Colorado mountains. A kind of wonderful thing occurred in both locations – we had very poor cell service. Forget the challenge (and sometimes stress) of disciplining yourself to use less media – on the whole, our screens didn't work. Not having the option to plug in was so nice that I used a trick to spend my vacation focused on, well, vacation. When a signal popped up, I put my phone in Airplane Mode. It simulated not having the option of technology (while still letting me snap a few pictures!) and helped me to focus on the task at hand – vacationing, taking in the beauty of my surroundings, and connecting with Eric.
Rocket science, I am sure, but a tip I plan to use again on a campground on Cape Cod, and in the woods of Maine. So I challenge you – take yourself to someplace without a signal, or, if that isn't your speed, put yourself in Airplane Mode. It won't radically change your use of technology, but it is a great way to experiment. And thankfully there are still tons of wonderful places where plugging in is off the table. Where will you go?
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An Interfaith Mom's Bookshelf
If there is one thing I'm passionate about, it's expanding Judaism's tent. After years of living as a Jewishly engaged interfaith family, I got tired of hearing Jewish professionals, academics, and community leaders blame families like mine for the demise of Judaism. So, for six years, I shared my family's story in forums such as InterfaithFamily.com, the Forward, and Tablet to paint a different picture of intermarriage and interfaith family life. I even wrote a book From Generation to Generation: A Story of Intermarriage and Jewish Continuity.
Now, I'm excited to be embarking on a new phase in my Jewish journey as I begin work as a Jewish professional at my synagogue. As the new assistant director of engagement, I oversee my congregation's efforts to connect more interfaith and LGBT families, 20- and 30-somthings, and people interested in conversion to Jewish life. It's work that I have been doing as a volunteer lay leader, writer, and speaker for years. I'm thrilled that now I get to interact on a more personal level with those wanting to "do Jewish."
One of my favorite parts of my new job is meeting with interfaith couples and families new to Dallas or about to get married. I spend many hours over coffee listening to the joys and challenges they are experiencing as intermarrieds or soon-to-be intermarrieds. I offer advice on navigating issues and relationships with extended family members culled from personal experience. I hope to convince them that there is a place for them in Judaism and that they are wanted and will be embraced by our Jewish community. Each day, I feel that I'm doing sacred work.
As I talk to parents and young couples, I often find myself scribbling on napkins and scraps of paper the names of books that I find to be helpful for building a Jewish home or raising Jewish children. I thought InterfaithFamily.com readers might also be interested in these materials.
So here are some of my favorite Jewish and interfaith books. They are resources that I find myself reading and referring to often. It is by no means a comprehensive list and I hope you'll share your favorites in the comment section below.
Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson and Miriyam Glazer, The Bedside Torah: Wisdom, Visions, and Dreams: Learned, engaging and provocative, this book offers three commentaries on each Torah portion. A great resource for discussing the week's parsha during Shabbat dinner, it weaves together the insights of ancient rabbis and sages, medieval commentators and philosophers, and modern scholars and religious leaders.
Thomas Cahill, The Gift of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels: A light-handed account of ancient Jewish culture, the culture of the Bible. The book is written from a modern point of view, yet it encourages us to see the Old Testament through ancient eyes.
Paul Johnson, A History of the Jews: A national bestseller, this brilliant 4,000-year survey covers not only Jewish history but the impact of Jewish genius and imagination on the world. Johnson's work begins with the Bible and ends with the establishment of the State of Israel.
James Keen, Inside Intermarriage: A Christian Partner's Perspective on Raising a Jewish Family: Written by a Christian father who is helping his Jewish wife raise Jewish children. Keen provides practical advice on how to give children a clear Jewish identity while maintaining a comfort level for both parents and includes perspectives from professionals who work with interfaith families.
Milton Steinberg, Basic Judaism: A classic work for the Jewish and the not Jewish reader. A concise and readable introduction to Judaism that makes complex theological and philosophical concepts easy to understand, and contrasts various Jewish perspectives.
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, its People, and its History: An indispensable reference on Jewish life, culture, tradition, and religion. It covers every essential aspect of the Jewish people and Judaism.
Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, Jerusalem: Renowned chefs, Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi explore the vibrant cuisine of their home city—with its diverse Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities. This stunning cookbook offers recipes from their unique cross-cultural perspective, from inventive vegetable dishes to sweet, rich desserts.
Tina Wasserman, Entrée to Judaism: A Culinary Exploration of the Jewish Diaspora and Entrée to Judaism for Families: A culinary adventure through the Jewish Diaspora, it is as much a history book as it is a cookbook. Wasserman explains how Jews around the world and across the ages adapted local tastes and ingredients to meet the needs of Jewish holidays and dietary laws, creating a rich and diverse menu of flavors and styles.
Sharon G. Forman, Honest Answers to Your Child's Jewish Questions: A Rabbi's Insights: A helpful resource that provides successful responses to many Jewish questions children ask, and summarizes Jewish thought in an easy-to-understand, readable format.
Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warner, The Faith Club: The story of three women, their three religions, and their quest to understand one another.
Meredith L. Jacobs, Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat: Connect and Celebrate—Bring Your Family Together with the Friday Night Meal: An easy-to-read book that shows how the Friday night Shabbat meal can bring a family together and help them connect, even as children grow older. It includes recipes, art projects, and summaries of the weekly Torah portion.
Wendy Mogul, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children: A guide for raising self-reliant children. Mogel takes stories of everyday parenting problems and examines them through the lens of the Torah, the Talmud, and other important Jewish teachings.
Ronnie Friedland and Edmund Case, The Guide to Jewish Interfaith Family Life: An InterfaithFamily.com Handbook: Practical ideas for creating strong interfaith relationships from those in interfaith partnerships and those who work with mixed faith couples.
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Services and the Summertime Quiet
This past week, my family stumbled late into the pizza dinner before one of our local congregation's children's Shabbats. It was a rainy, surprisingly chilly Friday in June, and after a week of no school and being relatively cooped up at home, both children felt more than ready to get out of the house and go to services.
When we arrived, we saw three cars in the parking lot, and immediately wondered if we'd come on the wrong date. Ben pulled out his phone and confirmed that a "Pizza Dinner and Children's Shabbat" was, in fact, listed on the calendar. Inside, a grandfatherly gentleman greeted us in the community hall where at least five tables were set up with silverware, candles, pitchers of water and simple flower arrangements.
But there were no other families! We've been to a couple of other dinners at this synagogue, and we're usually surrounded by noise and chatter. This time, though, our grandfatherly host quickly informed us that most of the younger part of the congregation was away at camp, hence the empty tables.
Empty tables: I'm used to this in the summer time, when Protestant congregations empty out for the summer. Sunday schools close for the long break and families find themselves busier than ever with travel, enjoying outdoor markets or early morning bike rides and are otherwise disengaging from organized religion during the warmer months. Some congregations I have known switch from two Sunday services to one, and many ministers might take extended time off during the summer, filling the pulpit with lay or other guest preachers. Although this picture is by no means true for all congregations, in many of the more liberal pews I've sat in, it's a common scenario.
I'm still learning to what extent this pattern repeats itself in Jewish congregations as well. When I asked Ben a few years ago if synagogues also closed shop for the summer, comparatively speaking, he surprised me by saying "no, they didn't." Historically, this pattern makes sense. The majority of America's Jews have always been city dwellers, rather than farmers or rural folk (and farming characterized the majority of the American populace until remarkably recently). The need to help out at the farm meant that American schools closed over the summer, which in turn affected Sunday schools and the calendar of events in America's churches, as well.
In terms of the liturgical calendar, of course, nothing in either the Jewish or Christian traditions suggests that congregations should become quieter over the summer. My daughters would tend to agree. However much they might appreciate summer as a time of expanded freedom, they still crave the comfort and familiarity of a weekly routine.
Although we don't attend services every week at this point in our lives, both girls sense the familiarity that can be found in a mostly-regular routine or ritual. As outgoing, social kids, they enjoy the company of other children and even of the adults they see when we go. Shabbat on Friday nights gives them that comfort, no matter whether the sun is up long past their bedtimes, or down long before.
Does your synagogue scale down in the summertime? What do you think about this phenomenon?
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Please, Just Call My Son Jewish
Earlier this month my family hosted some of the Israeli staff from my son's summer camp before they went to the camp for training. We have done this for the past three summers, and it has been a wonderful experience.
This year, the staff that we hosted had spent time with Birthright tours in Israel, and one had an American girlfriend who he met while serving as an IDF liaison to a trip. As he told us about her, he mentioned that she was Jewish. Really Jewish. Since 30 percent of Birthright participants have only one Jewish parent, I assumed that he meant that this young woman came from an inmarried family or was of matrilineal descent. A moment later, my young Israeli friend elaborated on the comment, "Her mother and father are both Jewish."
The language used was an immediate red flag because my son's camp was affiliated with the Reform movement and accepted as Jewish any child with one Jewish parent regardless of whether that parent was the mother or father. There would be many not-really-Jewish kids at camp. I wanted the counselor to understand that his language was not acceptable and could be hurtful to the very children whose Jewish identities camp was supposed to nurture. I need to say something.
I explained that since the camp was Reform, there would be many children from interfaith homes being raised within Judaism and that all were accepted and welcomed as Jews. I shared that there were no really-Jewish and not-really-Jewish campers. They were all Jewish. Drawing any distinction between kids from inmarried and intermarried homes was not in the spirit of camp, especially one that greets everyone with the phrase, "Welcome to Camp!" My guest said he understood.
The conversation made me think about the larger discussion about intermarriage not just in the US, but also in Israel. With the intermarriage rate in the US at 70% for non-Orthodox Jews, the success of American efforts to connect interfaith families to Judaism is hugely important to Jewish continuity and the relationship between American Jews and Israel. Many researchers and Jewish communal professionals in America see programs such as Birthright as significant opportunities to build the Jewish identity and connection to Israel of children of intermarriage. Program data proves that the trips are doing just that which is great news.
But working to create Jewish communities that are welcoming and inclusive of interfaith families needs also to happen in Israel. The old rhetoric about intermarriage that is still common among Israelis has to change if children of intermarriage are to develop a strong connection to the Promised Land. Let's face it; future generations of American Jews will mostly come from interfaith homes. If they feel disconnected and alienated from Israel, the historic ties between the American Jewish community and Israel will diminish.
But even with the trends we see in Judaism, change will be difficult because Israel's Ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate controls religious law and services. Hopefully, over time and with political and religious reform, money, and more Israeli exposure to the diversity of Jews in America, we can at least get everyone to refer to children like my son as simply "Jewish."
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Singing Songs at an Interfaith Bedtime
At bedtime recently, 5-year-old Laurel was having trouble settling towards sleep, not unsurprising given that it's still light out at her bedtime. Looking for a change of pace that might help her feel sleepy, I started to sing the Shema, as my husband and I often do during her bedtime songs. She listened quietly, laying her head in my lap instead of putting the sheet over her head and declaring she had become a bouncing tent, as she'd been doing not too many minutes before that. (InterfaithFamily has a great booklet about saying the Shema as a kids' bedtime ritual. Check it out here.)
When I finished singing the quiet words about God's onnness, she asked, "Sing me another Jewish song, Mommy," and I did, choosing Oseh shalom, which is one of my favorite tunes to sing her before sleep. I love the melody, and the soothing message about peace that it conveys. Sometimes I get a little bit too into the song, my head nestled against her ear, and she tells me, "Sing more quietly, Mommy; you're too loud!"
As is almost usual, she started talking halfway through the song. "Mommy? Mommy?"
"… shalom aleinu…" I continue, pausing to say, "be quiet, sweetie, I'm singing!"
Eventually, my voice quieted as the song ended. "What did you want to ask?"
"How do you know Jewish songs, Mommy?"
I chuckled. "I've learned them by singing them many times, honey," I explained, "the same way you learned the songs for your class's Spring Sing."
"Oh," she said. She'd recently memorized "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in Chinese for the Spring Sing, so I thought she might understand my own learning of songs I didn't grow up with as a similar process.
As usual, though, I wasn't prepared for her follow-up question: "Do you know any Christian songs, Mommy?"
I deliberated before answering. Previous readers of my blog entries will know that I'm now a Unitarian Universalist, and was raised in a liberal Episcopalian household. In answer, I could have recalled songs I sang decades in the children's choir at in the church of my childhood, songs like "Here I Am, Lord," which is about answering God's call to serve people in the world. But I can just imagine myself getting caught up in theological difficulties as I sing it: who's doing the sending? Is it Jesus, or God the Father? What if they're the same? With that level of chatter going on in the back of my mind, it's easier to choose other songs to sing, like "Puff the Magic Dragon" or "My Favorite Things."
In the end, I replied, "Christmas songs are Christian," which garnered an un-illuminated "oh" from Laurel and a serious query as to whether there are other Christian songs.
"Well, there are," I told her, "but I don't remember them very well." Bedtime is probably not the right time to explain that in addition to not remembering them very well, I am not sure I want to sing traditional Christian songs. At bedtime I usually fall back on the kinds of songs my parents sang to me when I wasn't quite ready to sleep yet: songs from musicals from my mom, and folk songs from the 1960s from my dad. Now I wonder that the melancholy of so many folk songs did not keep me up at night (shouldn't I have been bothered by "Where Have All The Flowers Gone"?)
Laurel's innate sense of fairness suggests to her that I ought to sing Christian songs to her to balance the Jewish songs she's already learning. She knows I am not Jewish and that we therefore have an interfaith home. She wants "not Jewish" to have an "is something" attached to it, and I take her request for "Christian songs" as a request for my background and heritage to be hers, as well. If I am to be true to us as an interfaith family, I also need to be true to the complexities of what my husband and I both bring to our interfaith childrens' lives.
Next time, when Laurel asks me to sing a "Christian" song, I'll realize that she's asking about my background, and I'll be better prepared to sing a different song – not necessarily a Christian song – but a song to which I can bring as much joy as I bring to Oseh shalom. As she grows older, too, I hope that my repertoire of songs I've learned as an adult, especially including the Jewish songs that are so important to Laurel, will continue to expand. Maybe, once again, she'll ask me to sing "just a little quieter, Mommy, and not right in my ear."
Interested in attending a "Goodnight, Sleep Tight" session in Chicago with InterfaithFamily/Chicago's Director? Contact Rabbi Ari Moffic (arim at interfaithfamily dot com) for more information.
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Her Tune, Her Way: Reflections on our First Year of Sunday School
Driving home from school the other day, Ruthie began singing "Ma Tovu" to herself in the back seat. She repeated it a couple of times alone, and then I decided to try to sing it back to her. But after I got the first two lines out of my mouth, she stopped me.
"No, Mommy," she said, frustrated, "You sing it like this!"
And she began again, more confidently, singing something that sounded very much the same to me as what I had sung, but was clearly different to her. Her tune, her way.
This interaction felt powerful as I reflected back on the end of Ruthie's first year of Sunday School. Up until last September, most of the influences on Ruthie's religious identity had come from, or at least occurred in the presence of, Eric or me. But in September, when we dropped her off with Morah Naomi for the first time, what being Jewish means for Ruthie began to happen on her own, in a way that is connected, but miraculously independent, from us.
Ruthie is a child who generally enjoys school, and she has relished in getting new knowledge at Sunday School each week. She loves the chance to share our family's practices with her class, and to learn her own things to bring home to us. This spring, she particularly enjoyed her class "trip" to Israel (not an actual trip!), and is still slowly doling out tidbits about the Wailing Wall, the Dead Sea or even the way that Israelis take a midday break for lunch and family every day.
Exploring her Judaism in this way has also encouraged her to articulate her interfaith identity independently, too. She knows that not all of her friends from Sunday School celebrate Christmas with their families, and she thinks she's pretty lucky that she gets to do that. She asks lots of questions about the faith of our family members and close friends, trying on different ways of fitting herself into the world.
A few weeks ago, we had a conversation that went something like this:
"Mommy, when I am a grown-up, and I get to pick if I am Jewish or Christian, well, I'll probably be Jewish but I am not sure, anyway, I am going to have a cat."
Ruthie has only taken her first steps on a lifelong journey of self-discovery and understanding. At this moment, I am so grateful that it started off with a zeal for learning, an open heart, and curiosity about what it means to make her way in the world with a loving family that includes different faiths. I hope that we can both continue to choose love and embrace the learning journey. As always, I am glad to be along for the ride.
How does your family #ChooseLove? Is it through learning, through celebrating Shabbat, through family vacations? Upload your photo here, and see how other families #ChooseLove!
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Nothing to Fear, Much to Gain from a Community of Interfaith Families
Recently, the membership director at my synagogue asked me if I would reach out to a young woman who was the Jewish half of an interfaith couple and a new temple member with her husband. She was also expecting her first child. Knowing the importance of a warm welcome, especially for intermarrieds, I said I would be happy to reach out.
I assumed my conversation with this Jewish intermarried would be similar to the discussions I've had with other intermarried partners looking for a Jewish home. She would feel grateful and relieved to have found a welcoming, inclusive community that dedicated resources to interfaith-specific programming.
When I called the woman, I told her about my involvement over the years in the congregation's Interfaith Moms group and its evolution into Interfaith Families. I discussed how the group was a great way to meet other intermarrieds and build community at our large synagogue. I said I would add her name to the group's distribution list so she would receive information on future activities.
At this point, the conversation took a strange turn. She told me that she wasn't sure she wanted to be involved with an interfaith group because she needed to be "very strategic" about who her family associated with. I wondered what that meant.
The interfaith mom-to-be explained that she was raised in an active Conservative home that kept kosher. She had a Jewish wedding and her children would be raised Jewish. So far, a common story.
Then she made a few statements that started to help me understand what "very strategic" meant. She said interfaith groups were not comprised of families like hers where the mother was the Jewish parent. Instead, they "were mostly non-Jewish women, who really weren't interested in raising Jewish children."
What?!?! I'd never heard another intermarried use the same (old) stereotypes still peddled by some segments of the Jewish community or held by older generations.
She added that since the female partner controlled the religious upbringing of children and the identity of a home the families in our interfaith group would never be Jewishly active. "Besides," she said, "Their children will never really be Jewish anyway."
At this point, I had enough of the outdated rhetoric regarding intermarriage and decided it was time to dispel a few myths and explain what type of community she had joined.
In a friendly but firm tone, I explained that our interfaith families group was diverse. It included families with a Jewish mom and a not Jewish dad, a Jewish dad and not Jewish mom, a parent that converted, and same-sex couples with one not Jewish partner. Since the group was synagogue-based, regardless of family composition, the participants were all raising Jewish children and creating singularly Jewish homes, or moving in that direction.
I shared that many of the not Jewish partners were the ones reconnecting their Jewish spouses to Judaism. She interjected with another generalization, "Isn't that always how it is? The convert becomes more zealous about practicing than the one born Jewish."
I didn't want her to have the impression that all of the not Jewish partners had converted or were in the process of converting. I said, "Some convert, some maintain their identity but aren't practicing, and some are active in and fully committed to raising Jewish children but remain connected to their individual faith." I also explained that we were a Reform congregation, which meant that we welcomed, recognized and accepted children as Jewish if they had one Jewish parent–regardless of the gender of the parent. The woman got quiet.
I asked her if she had any questions or if I could help her in any way. She asked about baby naming ceremonies for girls. As she shared her questions, I empathized with this young woman. I remembered the early years of my marriage when I was also unsure of how my and my husband's choice to be Jewish would play out.
I also thought that I needed to direct our Jewish life and worried about the influence of interfaith couples making different decisions. I didn't start feeling more relaxed about being Jewish and interfaith until we found an inclusive and welcoming community. Only then did I realize that sharing a commitment to create a Jewish home was what was important, not how each couple implemented that decision. In fact, the diversity of approaches became an opportunity to learn, rather than something to be feared.
This woman and I spoke for another few minutes. It was a nice conversation. When I hung up, I hoped that after her initial hesitation wore off, she and her husband and baby would try an interfaith families activity. Because if they tried it, they'd realize that there is nothing to fear and much to gain from having a vibrant community of interfaith families to navigate the joys and challenges of intermarriage with.
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Choosing a Jewish Life – Fostering Jewish Peoplehood
The Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education (CJPE) is a resource and catalyst for developing education about collective Jewish belonging, often focused on the areas of Jewish peoplehood and Israel. Through its blog and Peoplehood Papers series, the organization generates dialog about the meaning and importance of Jewish peoplehood and how to nurture it.
Recently, I wrote an essay for the CJPE blog about the significant influence peoplehood had on the decision to have a Jewish home by inmarrying and intermarrying couples in a pre-marriage class that I taught at my synagogue. I discussed how we created a curriculum that showed how Jewish engagement could deepen connection to the Jewish people regardless of whether or not both partners were Jewish.
While the following piece addresses engaged couples, it applies to any family interested in building a Jewish home, regardless of life stage. The questions my co-teacher and I ask students–why is being Jewish significant to you, what does it mean to have a Jewish home, how will you go about creating one–are relevant to us all. They are questions we should continually ask ourselves because as we journey through religion, spirituality and life, the answers may change.
I hope you'll share in the comment section below why you chose to be Jewish, what having a Jewish home meant when you got married, why being Jewish is important to you today and how your idea of a Jewish home has evolved.
This essay is reprinted with permission.
Six months ago, I began teaching a premarital class to intrafaith and interfaith couples being married by clergy at my synagogue. The impetus for the class was the increasing disaffiliation and disconnection of Jewish young adults from Jewish life.
Regardless of whether couples were endogamous or interfaith, we believed that marriage presented an opportunity to influence their religious engagement. We felt that this relationship stage provided us with the chance to effect faith related choices, something especially important as we sought to encourage more interfaith couples to participate in Judaism.
We recognized during premarital counseling that we asked inmarrying and intermarrying couples to make a Jewish home, but that many of these couples didn't know how to go about creating one. Most of the Jewish partners were raised in progressive Jewish households, either wholly Jewish or interfaith, and grew up practicing Judaism episodically. Their upbringing focused on the High Holidays, Passover, and Hanukkah and few participated in Jewish education post-b'nai mitzvah or remembered anything from religious school.
We wanted to push these often Jewishly illiterate and religiously disconnected couples to think about why being Jewish was significant to them and help them understand how to honor their commitment to have a Jewish home. So, we created a two- to four-week learning experience for engaged partners.
At the start of each session, we asked the couples how they decided to have a Jewish home and why having one was important to them. Interestingly, regardless of whether the Jewish partner or partners grew up secularly Jewish, episodically Jewish, modestly observant or very observant, the reason having a Jewish home was important was the same. All had a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people.
We used our curriculum, which focused on Shabbat and community building, to show the couples how ritual and communal involvement, could deepen their feeling of Jewish peoplehood. We discussed how rituals, whether viewed as divine commandments or social customs, were a means to transmit Jewish heritage, beliefs, and values. We explained the importance of Shabbat and ways to embrace it. We talked about using the holiday to bring sacredness into the couple's relationship and home.
These classroom discussions provided a foundation for what was in my opinion the most significant component of the class–experiential learning. Over a Shabbat meal at a congregant's home, the students experienced the power of Shabbat in a communal setting. Since many of the couples didn't grow up with a Shabbat home ritual because their families weren't observant or they weren't Jewish, we wanted to demonstrate and demystify the holiday. The more relaxed social setting of a home also provided couples the opportunity to deepen the connections they were forming in the classroom demonstrating how Shabbat could be used to build community.
Forging relationships between students was high on our priority list because community was a significant predictor of Jewish engagement. Since we knew that adults with more densely Jewish social networks were more likely to engage in Judaism and raise Jewish children we added a second non-classroom learning experience. At the end of the program, we brought the couples together for Havdalah in a member's home. This endpoint allowed us to expose participants to another ritual and gave students an opportunity to deepen their connection to each other.
When endogamous and interfaith couples make the decision to be married by a rabbi, it opens the door to a Jewish conversation. It gives us the chance to encourage Jewish choices. Using classroom and experiential learning plus premarital counseling, we can help Jewish and not Jewish partners see how Judaism can help them feel part of something bigger and connect them to Jewish life.
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Planning for a First Shavuot
Despite being part of a Jewish family for the past decade, I have never celebrated Shavuot. After the excitement of Passover, it's never been a holiday that I've experienced. I am, admittedly, embarrassed to say this. However, in the spirit of blogging about my interfaith family, I announced to the family that this year, we should do something differently! I promptly looked at Ben for suggestions. He said, "Well, let's see," and walked over to the bookshelves, coming back with a big stack of Jewish cookbooks. Laurel grinned in excitement and fascination, and I could see her thinking, "Yay, another holiday! More good food to eat! This is so exciting!"
For any holiday, my husband (a self-confessed foodie) usually thinks first of the foods one eats for the holiday. I've lost track of the number of times he's explained that, for him at least, "Jewish holidays are all about food!" This fact is, I expect, a major link to tradition for him as a modern Jewish person. I have learned not to start with "what do we do at the holiday?" but with "what do we eat?"
To my delight, though, one of our favorite cookbooks (Olive Trees and Honey, a vegetarian cookbook with recipes from around the Jewish world) described not just the foods of Shavuot, but the other practices and traditions as well. As we prepare to celebrate our first Shavuot, I expect we'll be thinking about the three things this book mentioned: first, sweet dairy foods, second, the Torah, and third, the Book of Ruth. I don't know if we will go to a synagogue or celebrate at home, but I know we'll be focusing on these three things.
First, sweet cheesy foods, which in my husband's culinary lexicon apparently means blintzes. For a second embarrassing admission, I have to admit I've never eaten a blintz. My friend Scott in college loved them, and piled them onto his plate whenever the dining hall served them. To me, those dining hall blintzes looked like they were swimming in water, or grease, or something else even less desirable, and they therefore lost much of their appetizing appeal. Ben, however, swears that all I need to do is make a crepe and put a sweet cheese filling in it, and we'll be set. After all, I can make a crepe-like pancake, and since I can make a mac 'n' cheese sauce, I can probably make a cheese filling. Shavuot part 1, check!
For Shavuot part 2, staying up all night reading Torah and studying, I doubt we'll stay up all night. There are bedtimes to observe, after all, with cranky-child consequences. But I do think we'll take the opportunity to tell our children—likely while eating our blintzes!—the story of Moses receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, seven weeks after leaving Egypt at Passover. We'll show them our various paperback and hardback translations of the Torah. I wonder what questions Laurel will ask, in her entertaining 5-year-old way. Will she ask what a sacred text is? (Will that even be the language we use?) How will we answer? Will we talk about sacred texts beyond the Torah or the Hebrew Bible? About writing and literature as hallowed activities for the transmission of human knowledge, emotion and experience? Or will those questions come later? I'm looking forward to finding out.
Finally, there's the book of Ruth. If ever there were a story to celebrate in an interfaith family, this would be it. The story has a personal connection for me because my grandmother's name is Ruth, and it's my middle name as well. I love that the Hebrew Bible includes a story of a woman choosing to live a Jewish life with a Jewish family. I love that even in a religious tradition that's passed down from generation to generation, the tradition itself preserves a tale of an outsider choosing to become an insider. Ben and I already mentioned the story to Laurel when we first described Shavuot with the stack of cookbooks. We'll tell it to her again on Shavuot (probably over blintzes). As the years go by, I expect that both of our children will find many layers of meaning in this story of extended families, the relationships we choose for reasons of love, and the traditions around which we consciously choose to shape our lives.
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text:
Stocks rebound on home prices
NEW YORK -- The stock market bounced back Tuesday following a surge in U.S. home prices and signs of recovery in Europe's economy. Strong earnings reports also helped power the gains.
The Dow Jones industrial average ended the day 99.22 points higher at 13,979.30, erasing a large part of its loss from Monday. The index traded above 14,000 during the day before falling back in the last hour.
The Standard & Poor's 500 gained 15.59 points to 1,511.29. The Nasdaq composite was up 40.41 points to 3,171.58.
The rise follows two days of whiplash. On Monday, the Dow dropped 129 points, its worst sell-off of the year so far, as fears about Europe's finances resurfaced. On Friday, the index gained 149 points, closing above 14,000 for the first time since 2007. The Dow is now 185 points below the record high of 14,164 it reached on Oct. 9, 2007.
After strong gains for stocks this year, investors are wondering whether they should sell now, or wait and see if the rally still has legs, said Brad Reynolds, chief investment officer at LJPR, Inc.


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Sling Media SlingPlayer Mobile for Android Available June 22nd
Sling Media's SlingPlayer Mobile has been one of the most anticipated applications for the Android platform since it first broke cover that it would be coming to the mobile Operating System. And our expectations only grew when we got some hands-on time with the application, which we covered as extensively as we could right here. And, tonight we're happy to finally have something tangible to tell you about that upcoming release date. And yes, it's tomorrow, June 22nd.


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News, reviews and think pieces about dance and performance art for aficionados and newcomers by long-time national and local critic.
Monthly Archive for June, 2013
This "Hairspray" Really Holds
Hairspary in Concert Fifth Avenue Theatre, through June 23 By Alice Kaderlan Were my companion the only ones at the Fifth Avenue Theatre on Thursday night who hadn't seen the original production of Hairspray? It certainly felt that way from the moment that Artistic Director David Armstrong stepped out to introduce the show and detail […] [Read More]
"Other Desert Cities" a Winner at ACT
Other Desert Cities ACT Theatre, through June 30 By Alice Kaderlan Sometimes a good play sneaks up on you. Through the first act and well into the second, Other Desert Cities appears to be little more than a sociological study of a dysfunctional family trying to have a pleasant Christmas. But partway into the second […] [Read More]
Balanchine and Wheeldon: A Dynamic Duo at PNB
"Director's Choice" Pacific Northwest Ballet, through June 9 at McCaw Hall By Alice Kaderlan It is not easy to put together a successful mixed-bill ballet program. Invariably one work stands out above the rest, for its choreographic inventiveness, overall visual appeal or technical demands. The world premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's Tide Harmonic was the most-anticipated […] [Read More]


text: Great article on foreign policy and actions! Right on target. Obama should continue "supplying non lethal aid to the rebels" and no more. We do not need to involve US troops in another Korean Peace Action as in the 1950′s. Assad must realize that a conference and armistice situation can help. Perhaps, Syria can be divided with an Aleppo area in the north and a Demascus area in the south.


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Erik and the Offbeats (1989)
An all-instrumental recording, now
available on CD. One the tunes "Erik's 2-Step" was used in the 1997 motion
picture "Micheal," heard while John Travolta pranced around with a bar maid
in the parking lot of a honky-tonk, filmed somewhere in Austin.
"Earth Swing"Ā
The Snow Wolves Orchestra (1994)
Mark Rubin, Jeff Haley and Lynn Daniel
lent thier bassmanship brilliantly to a third of this album, but otherwise
what you hear is yours truly gone nuts with fiddles, guitars, string bass,
mandolin, and vocals. This is a highly personal effort that took years to
make, inspired from vision quests, nature observation, dreams, Native Americana,
ancient lifeways, trees, and a profound love for our Earth Mother. manifesting
this recording was a personal turning point, and one that saved my life.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say its available on CD for your
enjoyment, a baby I "mothered" and believe in deeply. This album is prayer.
"Kaustinen, Texas"Ā
Erik Hokkanen & Lumisudet (1995)
My first Finnish album with all my
pals, Arto Jarvela, Perti Hakala, Tampani Varis, Manno Jarvela, et al.. "Lumisudet"
is Finnish for guess what?-"the Snow Wolves," and the saga continues. This
beautiful album is a group effort all the way with over 70 minutes of sounded
glory. Kiittos! (thank you) on CD.
"Swing The Night Away"
The Snow Wolves (1996)
Our all-star lineup (the cream of the local jazz scene including Elias Haslanger,
Freddie Mendoza, Chris Searles, Stanley Smith, Phil Ritchie, Steve Schwelling,
ect..) of wolves howling thru our own swing reperatoire. Strings,
horns, girl vocalists..this is one big hilarious party on CD.
"In The Heart Of A Waking Dream"
Erik Hokkanen & Lumisudet (1999)
Our 2nd Finnish album, due to be "officially" released this summer. I already have bootleg CD's out of this material under the name "From Finland With Love," whose mix isn't quite the same as the final version will be, though one I enjoy unhesitantly. These recordings were made in Helsinki in the spring of '98 as I earned my professorship teaching at the Sibelius Acadamey of Music. We had a great time doing this one, and our previous experience together shows throughout.
Erik and the Offbeats (1987)
Blue Corn (1989)
Erik & Erik (1992 )
Earth Swing (1994)
Kaustinen Texas (1995)
Swing the Night Away (1996)
Barnes, Hokkanen and Rubin - aka Mad Cat Trio (recorded 1993/released 1998)
Scout Fiddle Blues - Souvenir Album (1999)
Erik and the She Wolves (recorded 2001, released 2003)
In the Heart of a Waking DreamĀ (recorded 1998, released 2002)
Hip Replacements (2003)
All these recordings are available at live performances or by contacting Erik directly @ (512) 707-1030


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Cheat, Adder, Generator, Trainer, Mod // My Free Zoo
My Free Zoo Hack
My Free Zoo is free to play game on Facebook. Game is very popular, join it and became a Zoo Manager, you will have to make cash for your zoo, but also you need to feed your animals. Game have very nice interface, a lot of achivments, a lot of diferent animals and decorations. With My Free Zoo Hack from... Read more
At noon March 04, 2015 was carried update all files, so that they all work much better, faster, and are 100% undetectable. In addition, the files have been moved to new servers where they are easier to get. We hope that you will be satisfied. Hack Imperium Team
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Play the top 5 Sniper Games
The top sniper games have to be easy to play, accurate and provide an exciting and challenging environment. Most sniper games out there are either too simplistic or they don't offer enough challenges.
The following are the top 5 sniper games that you could find:
#1: Fallout 3
This is the third version of the game series and it features an action roleplaying game. The environment of the game is war-like and it was created by the Sino-American war which started in 2077.
Only 1000 humans were able to survive after the nuclear fallout. The player starts from an enclosed area and it has to explore what remains from Washington city. The player is not alone and it has to cooperate with others in order to achieve certain quests together. This makes the game more dynamic and interesting to play. You can't actually win the game simply by shooting at the targets. You also have to use your strategic wits.
This game was a bestseller right from the beginning. It sold more than 610,000 units in the first 30 days after the launch.
#2: Borderlands 2
This game was launched in September 18, 2012. It's a roleplaying shooter game. This means that you can build a character while shooting the bad guys. As a result, the game allows for a rewarding experience.
The game characters that players play gain experience and items as they overcome new challenges and kill the bad guys. As a result, you can upgrade your weapons so they become more efficient and you can earn even more experience points faster and easier than without any upgrades.
#3: Battlefield: Bad Company 2
This is a shooter game that was released on all major platforms: Windows, iOS, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game can be played in different ways and it even lets you destroy buildings. They will be demolished and fall to the ground like in the real world.
More than 9 million official copies of the game were sold. Because of its success, its developers and designers also released an expansion pack in December 21, 2010.
After a time of playing shooter games you might feel like you are doing a boring job. Each virtual killing may seem like a task that you have to do, not necessarily that you want to do. Bad Company 2 is different and makes you feel like you have plenty of things to do. For example, you can even control tanks, helicopters and other vehicles that make the game feel more interesting and real.
This game truly feels like a reality based game that gives you plenty of challenges and riddles to solve. I encourage you to try it out and check it out for yourself.
#4: Halo Series
This shooter game is all about a war that broke out between humans and a race of aliens. It comes with its own mythology and unique features. It's a pleasure to play and you will learn many new things along the way about the Halo world.
This game alone is one of the most important reasons why people buy the Xbox platform. At the moment, both the Xbox platform and the Halo series are owned by Microsoft that earns big money from the sales of both products.
The entire Halo ecosystem sold more than 3 billion in goods, game copies and related services. It's also important to know that more than 43 million copies of the Halo 3 were sold worldwide.
The success of the game prompted other developers to purchase the franchise license from Microsoft and develop related games and products. It is expected that Halo 4 will be launched in November 4, 2012. Many millions of people from all around the world can't wait for the new release of the Halo game series.
This is a free to play shooter video game. This game is quite different from other games of its genre. It features unique weapons, player classes and other different features. I encourage you to give it a try. The full name of the game is Team Fortress 2.
I also invite you to check out all of the above games. Start with the first one on the list and go from there. Many of them let you play it for free with just a few restrictions. Go right now and kill some virtual bad guys by playing one of the above sniper games.


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Susquehanna University Hosts Annual Christmas Candlelight Service
Published on November 23, 2010
SELINSGROVE—Susquehanna University's annual Christmas Candlelight Service will be held Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., with pre-service music beginning at 7:15 p.m., in the university's Weber Chapel Auditorium. The theme of this year's service is "Love Has Come."
Open to the public, the Christmas Candlelight Service is one of Susquehanna's most cherished traditions, as more than 1,600 members of Susquehanna University and surrounding communities are expected to gather in the chapel. The service will include candle lighting and carols, as well as traditional readings, songs and prayers in celebration of the season. The Rev. Mark Wm. Radecke, university chaplain, will serve as the presiding minister.
Music will be provided by the University Choir under the direction of Rodney Caldwell, associate professor of music and director of choral activities; the University Chorale, directed by Colin Armstrong, assistant professor of music; Marcos Krieger, assistant professor of music and university organist; a brass ensemble; and the SU Handbell Choir.
Musical selections will include, among others, "And There Were Shepherds," "Lux Aurumque," "Thou Shalt Know Him," "On This Day Earth Shall Ring" and "Of the Father's Love Begotten."
Radecke said the service is the centerpiece of a wonderful evening that also features carriage rides from campus to downtown and late-night shopping at Selinsgrove merchants. "Exquisite music magnificently performed and sung, a quiet time of meditation in the midst of a busy academic period, a room aglow with more than 1,700 candles, beloved carols sung and favorite scriptures read all combine to make this a truly memorable and worshipful experience for all in attendance," he said.
The service will also be broadcast live by Susquehanna's radio station, WQSU (88.9 FM).
Karen M. Jones


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Namesake Continued...
Richard Myles
Johnson, or Dick Johnson, began his credit union profession after
finishing a 30-year career in the United States Marine Corp, where
he retired as a colonel. Many of the same strong personal values
he developed in service to his country were then put to use in his
service to credit unions. His hard work, dedication, loyalty, honor
and commitment benefited credit unions for close to another 30 years
as he made his contributions to the credit union movement. Most
of his credit union career was spent in leading Western Corporate
Federal Credit Union (WesCorp) to become the nation's largest and
most progressive corporate credit union, recently retiring in May
2002 as President and CEO. Dick Johnson's visionary impact on credit
unions was evidenced by the multitude of leadership roles he undertook
at the state level of WesCorp and the California Credit Union League,
at the national level for the corporate credit union system, and
by those he held within the financial services industry. He demonstrated
an unwavering dedication to improving the credit union movement
and reinforcing its "people helping people" philosophy
and spirit.
But what truly
set apart his overall contributions to credit unions was the large
number of leaders he helped build. He served as a mentor and inspiration
to many who went on to make their own contributions in the credit
union world. From the many individuals he guided as an instructor
for Western CUNA Management School, the lives of the multitude of
peers he has touched and enriched, to the careers of those he directly
influenced, there are few individuals that will leave behind such
a lasting imprint for their efforts in helping credit unions to
promote financial education and independence for consumers as did
Dick Johnson. In an effort to honor a living legend, the Richard
Myles Johnson Foundation was renamed in 1999 from the California
Filene Educational Foundation.


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August 4, 2015
11-10-03 Everyone from city leaders to parents are asking that something be done to slow down traffic outside the Texoma Christian School.
The Texas Department of Transportation has agreed to conduct a school zone study to find out if anything will be put in place, but with the school sitting near Highway 56 and FM 1417, many parents say that's exactly what they need.
Many would like to see the speed limit of 50 and 60 mph lowered by 10 mph. Headmaster Eric Stricker says Texoma Christian has looked into a traffic light for several years now from the state, and with several recent fender benders, he says it's time to act now before a tragedy occurs.
Right now the city of Sherman is working on the behalf of Texoma Christian by writing an urgent letter to Tex-DOT. Tex-DOT has set up some temporary flashing lights so highway travelers will know that a school is nearby. It often takes several months for a school zone study to be conducted.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Special Events
The Seattle Women's Commission, Office for Civil Rights, and Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden invite you to the Awards Ceremony and Reception for
The Jeanette Williams and Civil Rights Champion Awards
Wednesday September 24
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Seattle City Hall
600 4th Avenue,
Bertha Knight Landes Room
Please join us for this special awards ceremony where we honor people in our community who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to women's economic equality with the Jeanette Williams Award. Ms. Williams served on the City Council and was a champion for Seattle women. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, a special award will be given to individuals who are advancing civil rights and social justice in our communities.
The event is free and open to the public.
Light refreshments will be served.
This Facility is ADA accessible. For accommodations for people with disabilities call 206-684-4540.
Sign language interpretation will be provided.
RSVP and Questions: email@example.com or (206) 684-4540


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Susquehanna Community Rallies for Month of Service Worldwide
Published on April 3, 2012
In a remarkable effort to harness the goodwill of its global community, Susquehanna University is organizing students, faculty, staff and alumni around the world to amass a collective 10,000 hours of volunteer service during the month of April. As of March 30, more than 8,000 service hours had been pledged toward the initiative, called SU SERVE (Susquehanna Engaging in Regional Volunteer Experiences).
SU SERVE will "go local" on April 14, when participants will volunteer at organizations near alumni chapters in New England, New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., and at nearly 40 locations in the Selinsgrove area.
Closer to campus, SU SERVE volunteers, including alumni from the central Pennsylvania chapter, will care for creatures' living quarters at Ashburn's Animals on a Mission in Kratzerville, play cards with residents at Grayson View Assisted Living in Selinsgrove, and help out at Haven Ministry Center in Sunbury, to name just a few opportunities.
Joining alumni in regional chapter volunteerism will be parents of Susquehanna students and high school students who have gained acceptance to the university from those areas. Participants will organize and stock shelves at a food pantry in Westwood, Mass.; accept donations and issue receipts at Goodwill of Southern New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia in Ewing, N.J.; spruce up the playroom and other areas of the Ronald McDonald House in New York City; and clean up the Potomac River Watershed in Washington, D.C., among other activities.
"We are thrilled that so many have come forward to help us reach a commendable 10,000 hours," said Rebecca Deitrick, director of alumni relations. "And what a pleasure to bring alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the university together in a unified effort that has such an important impact."
Susquehanna students, faculty, staff and alumni have a long history of community service at home and abroad, and the university has a track record of national recognition for its service programs. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush both granted special recognition to Susquehanna students for their work in the community, and the university has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll six years in a row. Susquehanna's service programs received excellence and best practice awards from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) in 2007, 2009 and 2010. The school's service learning programs have taken students on hurricane recovery trips to New Orleans, missions to struggling areas of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and community development projects in Peru, to name only a few. In fact, the university's ongoing focus on service is part of its three-pronged mission to "prepare students for lives of achievement, leadership and service in a diverse and interconnected world."
Susquehanna intends to build upon SU SERVE in future years. "This affirms Susquehanna's commitment to service as an institutional pillar," said Eric Lassahn, director of Residence Life and the Center for Civic Engagement. "We serve because we believe that positive community engagement is one of the key solutions to the problems we face today."
Karen M. Jones


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To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog:
While it may seem early, it is a good time for employers to start preparing for the H-1B Cap for Fiscal Year 2015, which begins October 1, 2014. Demand for the H-1B has steadily increased, with last year's cap being reached in the first week of filing. Employers should expect this trend to continue and be prepared to file their H-1B petitions on the earliest possible date, April 1, 2014.
By way of background, the H-1B is a very significant visa category as it allows qualified professionals to enter the U.S. Only a limited number may be granted each fiscal year (which runs from October 1st through September 30th). Under current immigration law, only 65,000 new H-1B petitions may be granted each fiscal year with an additional 20,000 available for those individuals with advanced degrees from a U.S. academic institution.
Employers may file an H-1B Cap subject petition starting April 1st for a start date to commence on October 1st. Last year, demand vastly outpaced supply with the cap being reached during the first week of filing. As such, with more applications received than visas available, USCIS conducted a lottery of all the petitions received between April 1st and April 5th, 2013 to select those that would be reviewed and adjudicated. Before that, the last time the cap had been reached during the first week was in April 2008 for Fiscal Year 2009. The decreased demand after Fiscal Year 2009 was due to the effects of the financial crises. However, we have seen filings steadily increase over the last few years as the economy has improved, and we should plan for the cap once again to be reached in the first week of April.
Evaluating Your Potential H-1B Population:
Due to the increased demand for the H-1B, it is important that employers evaluate their employee populations early to ensure that all petitions are submitted by the earliest possible date. We outline below some of the types of employees to review when making decisions whether to file an H-1B petition.
F-1 Students: Students, particularly those on F visas and currently working for you pursuant to approved Optional Practical Training (OPT), should be the first group of employees to consider for filing an H-1B petition on April 1st. The reason for this is simple. If you do not file H-1Bs for these employees, they will lose their employment authorization at the conclusion of their OPT (unless they are able to extend it in the limited circumstance described below).
Moreover, even when employees may extend their OPT, it is advised to file an H-1B for Fiscal Year 2015. This gives the employees two opportunities to obtain the H-1B. If more applications are filed than visas available and these employees do not obtain the H-1B this year, then the OPT extension may serve as a backup and you can file for the H-1B again next year.
Moreover, even when employees may extend their OPT, it is advised to file an H-1B for Fiscal Year 2015. This gives the employees two opportunities to obtain the H-1B. If more applications are filed than visas available and these employees do not obtain the H-1B this year, then the OPT extension may serve as a backup and you can file for the H-1B again next year.
L-1Bs: In recent years the L-1B visa category has faced increased scrutiny, particularly at the California Service Center. The L-1B is for intracompany transferees who are being relocated to the U.S. to serve in a specialized knowledge capacity after having been employed by the company abroad for one year in either a managerial or specialized knowledge role. The strict interpretation of what qualifies as specialized knowledge has resulted in denials of many L-1B petitions. Therefore, rather than file an L-1B extension, many employers are opting to file H-1Bs.
Certain Green Card Cases: Certain applicants for green cards may run out of authorized time in the U.S. unless they are in H-1B status. We recommend you consult with counsel on such cases.
What Do You Do If You Miss the Cap?
Even the most prepared employer can be faced with a situation where an employee misses the H-1B Cap. Whether it is because the petition is not selected in the lottery, or the cap is reached before you are able to file the petition, the question is what to do next. Under these circumstances we recommend you consult with counsel on your specific situation, but potential options to keep in mind are registering for E-Verify and reviewing other visa categories.
If Potential Applicants Are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Graduates – Register for E-Verify: Certain F-1 STEM students may be eligible for a 17-month extension of their OPT if their employers are enrolled in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based government system that requires participating employers to enter the employee data from Form I-9 to be confirmed against the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. The E-Verify program was tied to the 17-month OPT extension as a way of encouraging employers to register for E-Verify. However, employers should keep in mind that their enrollment in E-Verify is only one of the requirements for students to obtain this additional 17 months of OPT. In addition, the student must have a degree included in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Designated Degree Program List, the student currently must be in an approved post-completion OPT period based on a designated STEM degree, and the student must apply for the extension before the current post-completion OPT expires.
Other Visa Categories: Where appropriate, companies may consider other short-term visa categories. However, it is important to note that such categories often have their own limitations and we recommend you consult with counsel on such cases.
We encourage employers to reach out to our Immigration & Nationality Group if they have questions. We will continue working with our clients to ensure that H-1B petitions are prepared and ready for filing by April 1st, and as long thereafter as we would be permitted to file.
See more
DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
© Proskauer Rose LLP
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