As I sit at my desk in my new office off the living room, I can see through the large picture window how the first snow covers everything like a pretty white blanket. We (people, in general) whine a lot about the weather, but the glass can also be seen has half full. The snow is actually very beautiful and, here in Edmonton at least, everything gets a clean, white coating when it comes. Unlike back east, where the more moderate temperatures and the “war on winter” mentality ensures that within hours the roads are salted and bare of snow. I’ve always loved the look of snow-covered streets. Be careful what you wish for…

This fall has brought some changes to our life in Edmonton: a new nanny. Up to now, I have played the role of “manny” with varying degrees of success, depending who you ask. I mean, it’s a lot of work taking care of a house and family and anyone who does it really well is to be, well, revered. I can do it all – cooking and cleaning, childcare and extra-curricular – but it gets hard day-in day-out. And a bit boring. So, as my non-domestic workload increased over the past year, I maintained the childcare and extra-curricular ferrying about and cut back on the cleaning. And no one’s truly happy when the house is a mess.

Over the years, we’ve been blessed with amazing nannies that have enriched our lives and lives of our children. In my kids’ minds, they think a “normal” family includes two active parents, plus a nanny. If you find the right nanny, the whole can truly be greater than the sum of the parts for your family. I cross my fingers because I think we may have found another special one.

The twins are growing so fast these days. Just a couple of years ago they were entering 1st grade as semi-literate 6 year olds. Today, they are 8 and reading books and online games, searching YouTube, and texting with their parents and grandparents (using their parents’ smart phones, of course, because 8 is way too young for their own). There is something about their literacy that amazes me – and it’s partly just a fascination I have with literacy itself. To watch your child – anyone’s child, for that matter – acquire the skills of a language and learn to speak and read and write is nothing short of miraculous.

And it’s not just language that they are learning. They are in their “sponge” phase, absorbing everything around them: knowledge and skills, tastes in food and music, bad habits and good ones. Ella loves watching cooking shows on TV and then wants to cook herself. She made the cheese omelettes we ate for breakfast today with only a tiny bit of guidance. By 10, she’ll be cooking full meals. Ben immerses himself in YouTube videos about Bey Blades, Pokemon and Lego Star Wars and comes away with detailed knowledge about these things and enhanced vocabulary and verbal skills. For the twin who started talking a bit late, he’s remarkably tuned in to language.

This is also a time when not so good habits form too. Attitude and talking back habits develop which is surely normal, yet potentially a bigger problem if left unchecked. We’ve stopped watching TV or internet video in our house on school nights. Between piano practicing, Kung Fu, dance and art classes, and homework, this leaves precious little time for video gaming (which can now fill up the weekends). And it creates space for quiet reading time.

I would be remiss not to mention the coming relocation to Winnipeg of our first Edmonton friends, Seth and Joan. Though it seems like a lifetime, it was only two and a half years ago that I called Seth from Toronto inquiring about the possibility of moving to Edmonton. When we came for a tour of the Talmud Torah school, Seth showed up to greet us. And when we arrived at our new home, Seth and Joan met us at the local park for an afternoon play date with the kids. Since reaching out so warmly and welcoming us to our new city, we have become close with Seth and Joan and are very sad to see them leave. Having been in their shoes before, we understand the mixed feelings surrounding such a move: the excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead and the bittersweet feelings of leaving a place – and all the people – that you’ve thought of as home for so long.

Once settled in the school, I discovered that it was no ordinary Jewish day school. Talmud Torah Edmonton was about to turn 100 years old. We had just left a wonderful congregation in Toronto that had marked it’s 50th anniversary and I had gotten quite involved in the celebrations. I’m a big fan of collective memory and milestone anniversaries are a great opportunity to stop and reflect on how we got here and all the memories that were created along the way. I haven’t always been so nostalgic, but I think my mother’s long struggle with dementia made me realize the importance of memory – and using it while you have it.

So, here we were in a 100 year old Jewish school and I’m right into it – up to my elbows.

A lot happens in 100 years. Two world wars and great economic upheavals are the back drop to an evolving and growing community. It’s no small miracle to be celebrating a 100 years of a Jewish school anywhere, but here in Edmonton it feels even more extraordinary. Don’t get me wrong, Edmonton has some great people and institutions in the Jewish community, but it’s a small Jewish population relative to, say, Toronto or Montreal. Like, 50 times smaller. It’s just a bit surprising and rather remarkable that this community of 5,000 Jews is home to one of the oldest Jewish schools in Canada, the oldest Jewish day school in Canada, and the first Canadian principal of a Jewish day school in Canada.

As we gear up for the gala festivities surrounding the 100th year of Talmud Torah School, I am volunteering on the organizing committee and providing support for a few web sites (see tt100.ca and 100years.talmudtorahsociety.com) and lots more. I’m trying to understand why these events are so important for me to get involved in. True, my kids are students at the school – but it’s more than that.

I’m involved in TT100 because I think I owe something to the many people who came before us and paved the way to a 100 year Jewish history in Edmonton. And the best way for me to pay that debt is to get involved and pay it forward – toward the next 100 years.

In most (if not all) other provinces where gambling is legal in Canada, a portion of the proceeds are pooled and doled out to non-profits via traditional funding proposals. These funds are just another charitable foundation pot of money that professional fundraisers can access.

But in Alberta, it’s way different. Non-profit groups register for and volunteer at the casinos throughout the year, usually on a 1-2 year rotation because there are so many groups wishing to be involved. Proceeds are calculated quarterly and each volunteer non-profit group receives it’s payout. Payouts are equally divided among all groups during that quarter.

Now, these payouts are substantial. I am a member of a non-profit board and know that in the past we have received between $70,000 and $80,000 for our organization volunteering at a casino. That’s for 32 volunteers working 8 hour shifts over 2 days.  Do the math – it’s over $300 per volunteer hour!

Yet, despite this math, there are always stories about how hard it is for some organizations to get volunteers. And I can’t figure this out. Each volunteer who works a casino shift brings their charity organization well over $2,000 in funds. Short of writing a cheque for that amount, there’s few if any other fundraising efforts with such amazing returns. Not bingos. Not charity auctions. Not coupon book fundraising. Not benefit concerts. Nothing.

And working a casino is kinda fun. You get to deal with large sums of money – my float last weekend was over $500,000 in cash and chips – and you always meet someone new from the organization you are supporting. Plus, the people watching at a casino is second to none – if you’re into that kind of thing.

Now, I know there is a complex and thorny moral question that is worth considering. I know that gambling has its victims and impacts the social fabric of our society in ways that can be devastating. I’m not debating or defending it here – I’m simply pointing out the pragmatism of how it’s organized in Alberta.

So, here’s my pitch. If you are a beneficiary of any non-profit organizations (schools, charities, foundations) or if you have a special place in your heart for a cause, contact the organization and offer to volunteer for their casino.

It’s the best 8 hours of volunteer time you’ll ever give – and a real advantage of being in Alberta.

I learn something new about this city every time I go to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. What an absolutely amazing weekend it was this year!

So, on less than an optimal night’s sleep, here is what I learned this year:

1. The folk fest is a celebration of everything good about Edmonton in the summer: being outdoors for extended periods, drinking beer, eating good food, and listening to well-crafted music. I actually learned that last year, but came to appreciate its truth even more this year.
2. Dave Cournoyer is virtually unrecognizable to me when he doesn’t wear a cowboy hat.
3. Gord sits in the same spot every year – and it’s a good spot, just left of the sound booth right off the cross path.
4. Susan, Dave, Debbie and Mark are some of the nicest people to hang with at folk fest. Thanks for sharing your tarps and general folk fest wisdom with me.
5. At times, the 300-400 people lined up to get into the beer garden (i.e., Thursday night) suggested they might need more than a 2,000 person capacity – an opinion not shared by all festival goers.
6. Overheard in the beer garden: “They should build a zip line from downtown to here.” Seemed like a good idea at the time.
7. Despite the planning, there’s always people you miss: Scenic Route to Alaska, The Once, and Stephen Fearing are on my list of those I regret missing.
8. There’s always a side stage event that attracts a bunch of people y0u know without any coordination. For me, was the Stage 5 Heroes programme late Saturday afternoon featuring Tom Wilson, Del Barber, KT Tunstall, and Jeremy Fisher. Tom told some funny stories, Del did a killer cover of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon and one of his own tunes and Jeremy Fisher sang beautifully.
9. KT Tunstall needs a new publicist or manager. I was excited to hear her as I am a big fan, but she needs to do her homework and read her memos. First of all, she didn’t realize the theme “heroes” implied she was to bring songs about or by her heroes, so she played one of her own songs called Madame Trudeau. Problem is, her lyrics refer to Ms. Trudeau as a “President’s wife”. I guess songwriters don’t employ fact-checkers. Then, in round two, she realized people were doing covers and she paid lip service to Joni Mitchell whose playing inspired her, but whose songs she was unable to play. What a missed opportunity that was to endear the Canadian audience to her. Alternatively, I would have loved to hear her do the Stevie Wonder cover I love so much – I Want You Back. Too bad.
10. Edmonton folk fest goers are a hearty bunch. At the first sign of dropping temperatures and ominous dark clouds moving in on Saturday evening, we headed for home. Mind you, we had the excuses to leave kids with us. But not the rest of you. Just pull on the rain gear and hunker down.
11. Folk fest food is tasty, but almost everything is slightly over-priced – just a dollar or two too much on each item.
12. Beer is well priced. Very fair. Good policy – don’t change it.
13. Is the free admission for seniors policy going to be sustainable as the Boomer bulge moves into retirement? Or will I, a very late Boomer/early Gen Xer have to pay by the time my turn comes around?
14. The tarp run/corral system needs a serious rethink. You can’t just rely on the folky fairness ethic among all the people at the festival – mostly because half the attendees aren’t even folkies. Come on, people. Reusable plates and recycling beer cups is cool, but we need some clear rules and enforcement when it comes to the tarp run.
15. The folk fest needs a killer mobile app – with a scheduling function so you can plan your days, real-time updating for schedule changes, bear garden line-up cam, etc.
16. For too many people, the folk fest is not about the music. This can lead to too much talking and partying on the tarps – to the point of distracting the other festival goers. We need to do more to promote respect for others in this context.
17. Going solo is the best way to take in some time at folk fest. Not that I don’t love experiencing these things with my wife and kids and friends, but in a group there are always competing needs. And if you’re a music-head like me, you want to wander around, following your ears and your music sense. If you like something you hear, you stay. If not, you leave and find something else. Going with the flow is a complete joy at folk fest.

So, I had a great folk fest this year and have quickly come to appreciate it for what it is: one of the best folk music festivals in Canada and, without a doubt, the pinnacle event of summers in Edmonton.

“The regular,” I said. (I love being a regular and having a regular order and walking in and saying “the regular”.)

I grabbed a Diet Coke from the cooler and sat down with my MacBook and connected to the free wifi. (Here’s why free wifi is very important to small businesses.) A few minutes later a member of Fadi’s always smiling and friendly staff delivered my falafel with hot sauce. I devoured it in minutes. Man, was it good.

Dahlia’s Bistro is a great little spot. The food is fresh and tasty – and well-priced. The atmosphere is convivial and the attitudes of Fadi and all his people are exceptionally friendly. It’s a perfect example of a business that attracts it’s customers by being really good at what they do.

Then, Fadi walked over and showed me his new point-of-sale (POS) system – a sleek iPad2-based system sold by a Toronto company called TouchBistro. Using his personal iPad, he can take orders and print receipts wirelessly, control inventory, and track staffing. He can even watch order processing remotely via his iPhone in real time and get his reports emailed to him nightly.

Best part is the cost: Well under $1,000 for the software app and all the required hardware (printer, cash drawer, iPad stand). This is compared to $6,000-$10,000 for a traditional POS system. Huge savings for any small business person. Very bad news for the traditional POS vendors.

If you’re a small business owner in Edmonton, I highly recommend you drop into Dahlia’s Bistro and see the new POS in action. While you’re here, you have to try the falafel. There’s lots of other great sandwiches and dishes too.

But trust me on the falafel.

I am seriously jacked.

The Edmonton Folk Music Festival starts this weekend and I’m in the mood for lots of sunshine, great music and meeting new friends. Seems to me that with all the rain we’ve had, we’re due for a few straight days of warmth and sunshine. I’m crossing my fingers.

Being relatively newish here in Edmonton, I learned a lot about the folk festival last year. This year, the biggest questions I had about the EFMF was the elaborate protocol around early entry and reserving your spot on the hill – however, most of these questions are answered in the website FAQ.

Problem is, I don’t want to get up at 6:00 am on Saturday and Sunday morning to be at the festival gates at 7:00 to participate in a lottery to place my tarp on the hill.

So, I’m appealing to the community of folk. Does anyone want to share their tarp with me? And my wife? And our twin 8 year olds?

I know, sounds really appealing, but hear me out:

1. We’re friendly, passionate about music and enjoy connecting with new people of similar bent.

2. The kids are very sweet and well-behaved. We’re not big fans of whiners.

3. I develop social media strategies for professionals, executives and small to medium-sized business owners. If you are anyone of those – or know someone who is – I’d be happy to offer some free services in consideration for your tarp sharing. For instance, I could help set up your social media profiles, register a personal domain name (yourname.ca), or configure and customize a Wordpress blog site.

If you’re interested in connecting, the best way to find me is probably on Twitter – http://twitter.com/#!/jaypalter on with the #efmf hashtag. Or you can email me (palterjay@gmail.com) or text me (416-868-8433). This way we can connect throughout the festival – as long as my iPhone battery hold up.

Looking forward to seeing you on the hill.

It doesn’t arrive until well into July and once it’s here, you’re trying to squeeze every last ounce out of it.

Summer, in Edmonton, is like a marathon – a huge distance to cover in a short time frame. All the living that in other more generous climates might be fit into the months of April through October must be fit into June, July and August in Edmonton. And June and August can be sketchy. Come to think of it, so can July – but that’s another post.

I’m writing this post after a long day at the Heritage Festival in Hawrelak Park with another long day ahead of me tomorrow. I’m in a bit of a daze.

With my attendance at the Heritage Fest today, I’ve scratched another item off my Edmonton summer bucket list. Did I love it? Well, let’s say this about Heritage Fest at Hawrelak Park – it was impressively huge and well-organized. The weather cooperated nicely and the food I tasted was pretty good, all things considered. I enjoyed the way the nationalities showed their pride by sharing their culture. I spent most of my time at the Israel tent and stage because my kids were dancing all day and I marvelled at the diversity of folks who came to watch and listen and eat.

There are a few things though that bug me about these multi-cultural festivals. One is the way they align cultural and national identity. Here we all are living in Canada, yet our multi-cultural festival has us organized by nation states. I watched a group of Jews of diverse backgrounds doing Israeli inspired dances all day, yet aren’t these dances only this: Israeli-inspired. Aren’t they really dances created by Jews living in Canada with some heritage and some aspiration to be middle eastern? My point is: these cultural expressions are precisely hybrids of these many factors.

All of us are coming out to show off our cultural pride to the community at large. And yet we are often relying on cultural stereotypes to do so. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a festival that focused on breaking cultural stereotypes and discovering new aspects of other cultures?

I watched some of the other dancers – the Chinese dancers, the Romanian dancers, the Greek dancers – all dressed in beautiful, traditional garb. And I tried to imagine how these dancers would look on Tuesday – dressed as regular, non-culturally stereotyped people going about their daily lives in this city. I could only assume that these Chinese, Romanian and Greek people were just like I know the Israeli-Jewish dancers to be: people of diverse and often mixed cultural backgrounds who choose folk dancing as a cultural expression for a wide range of interesting reasons.

In the end, I didn’t get to understand any more about these people or what makes them tick. If anything, my fear is that I left with a more stereotypical view than when I arrived.

Did I love Heritage Days? I have to confess – I didn’t love it. Maybe 20 years ago I would have enjoyed it more, but in my middle age the crowds, the masses of humanity, are just less appealing than they once were. But that’s not a negative commentary on the event – it’s more an admission of my own personal preferences.

As a signature Edmonton event, the Heritage Festival shows this city to be a rich multi-cultural mosaic. And that I like. Not to mention the smiles on my kids’ faces.

Postscript

So, I’m not taking back any of the points I wrote yesterday (above) about multi-cultural festivals and stereotypes, but I think my opinion about this weekend’s Heritage Festival is better now than it was yesterday.

It’s not something I can easily put my finger on. Maybe it was the great weather Sunday and today. Maybe it was the fact that I rode my bike to and from the festival today while my lovely wife took primary parenting duties. Maybe it’s because I caught some of the first nations dancing on my way home. Maybe it was just seeing the teeming masses outside, enjoying food and culture in a wonderful park setting.

Or maybe it was seeing all the diverse faces standing around the stage in front of the Israel pavilion watching an amazing group of dancers – including my children – perform 10 times in two days. Maybe it was running into people in our community that we hadn’t seen in a while.

Actually, I think this is it. This is why the Heritage Festival was so great: the feeling of warmth and familiarity and strength that comes from communities come together to celebrate, well, communities.

Now, this isn’t entirely by accident. Our move to Edmonton was preceded by considerable discussion about Edmonton vs. Calgary. Once we had moved to Edmonton, I was committed to integrating our lives into the community there. And that’s exactly what has happened. We are part of a great community, we have met many new and dear friends and I’ve come to see and value in Edmonton something that is often missed by external observers who visit: it’s a city with a huge heart.

As a visitor to Calgary myself, it only takes a few days to see and feel the differences with Edmonton. Calgary is an urban city in a way that Edmonton isn’t – and may never be. There is urban density: a combination of corporate towers, commercial and retail development, rising condominiums, bars and restaurants creating vibrant streetscapes teeming with life. Mind you, it was Stampede and there were lots of extra cowfolk around, but Calgary feels more like Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal. Edmonton is more like Ottawa or Winnipeg.

Now, I am NOT saying anything bad about Edmonton. And that’s my point. Edmonton and Calgary are so different as to make their comparison as meaningful as, say, comparing apples to oranges. In many ways, they are the antithesis of each other – a dichotomy of urban models that makes Alberta stronger.

I find the simple-minded rivalries that exist between cities like Calgary and Edmonton miss the point. Each city has a unique contribution to make. Edmonton should not be trying to be more urban like Calgary – but striving instead to be differently urban in a way that is complementary to itself and to Calgary.

Forget the concrete downtown core that has been the model for urban development for the past 50 years. Instead, let’s create an urban oasis in Edmonton’s river valley. Let’s stop worrying about attracting corporate head offices and their gleaming towers. Instead, we can build on the community, warmth and heart that exists in Edmonton and create a 21st century city that cares – about families, about good education, about medical care, about tolerance, about physical fitness, about the ecosystem that sustains us.

I’m not an urban planner or visionary – I’m just a guy who tries to see and appreciate the forest for the trees. And both Calgary and Edmonton have lots of complementary qualities to build on.

The summer, which always seems so long in coming, disappears in the blink of an eye. I always get depressed by the fact that just as the summer is really getting started – as in, this week – the days have already begun their descent into December darkness. But, I digress.

So, here’s my 2011 list of things I must do in Edmonton this summer:

1. Canoe the North Saskatchewan River – Still a top priority, but it takes the better part of a day to do it. Plus, I can’t help but feel that the water seems browner this year than last year and it’s not quite as inviting. Is it because we’ve had so much rain?

2. Cycle the river valley and beyond – I completed this summer must-do activity last year and want more. This summer, I’d like to venture outside the central river valley – to places like St. Albert, the north-east quadrant of the city, perhaps to rural locales on the edges of the city. Any route suggestions are welcome.

3. Attend Edmonton Folk Music Festival (Aug 4-7, 2011) - Got my all-day passes this year on the website 5 minutes after the opening of sales. Planning to take the family, but I’m not so big on the tarp run in the morning. Anybody want to tag team with us? The Edmonton Jazz Festival just passed and I missed most of it – despite being a jazz lover. Late June is just too busy already. The Works Art and Design Festival was nice – took in a few venues. I think we’ll miss most of the Fringe again, unfortunately.

4. Visit Devonian Botanic Gardens – This is still high atop the list. With any luck, some family visitors from Ontario will give us the excuse we need to get out to Devon.

5. Downtown Farmer’s Market – We were already out a few times including the launch of the market in May. Still a favourite Saturday activity.

6. The Art Gallery of Alberta – We’ve joined as members and this spot has become a mainstay of our downtown life not only in the summer, but spring, fall and winter too.

And here are some new additions to the list for 2011:

7. Heritage Festival (July 31 – Aug 2, 2011) – We’ll be getting our share of inter-cultural sharing this year as our kids participate in the annual Heritage Day festival at Hawrelak Park.

8. FreeWill Shakespeare in Hawrelak Park – Until July 24th, the FreeWill Shakespeare Festival performs Othello and Twelfth Night on alternate nights (except Monday). That’s definitely on the list.

9. Visit BC – I know. It sounds strange, but one of the nicest things about being in Edmonton is being able to visit British Columbia in the summer. The drive is spectacular and Kelowna is a lovely place to visit.

10. Visit Calgary – We’ve been here almost two years and I haven’t done a recreational trip to Calgary – and by “recreational” I mean dining out, walking around, finding good cappuccino cafes and generally enjoying the place.

11. Symphony under the Sky – Another great outdoor festival, this one comes at the very end of the summer. There really is nothing finer than a warm sunny day and classical music on the grass.

12. Visit Drumheller – Not sure it’s in the cards this summer. It was going to be – until Kelowna made an offer we couldn’t refuse. Maybe next year.

13. Elk Island – I was going to head out to Elk Island for that winter festival with the star gazing program – but it was canceled due to inclement weather, as I recall. Another time.

14. Visit Pigeon Lake – I keep meeting people in Edmonton who have a place by the lake, but I can’t seem to get an invitation. One of these days – nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more – one of them might invite me and the family to visit. Until then…

Enjoy your summer while it lasts. And if all else fails, just get on your bike and ride.

June in Edmonton is, in a word, extraordinary. The weather is finally superb. Twilight happens between 10 and 11 pm. And everyone, partially in response to the first two points, is in elevated spirits. This feeling of elation coincides nicely with my own disposition to love the month of June for a wide variety of reasons.

I awoke this morning to a lovely story in the Edmonton Journal about a BBQ we held last Sunday. It was the kick-off event for Talmud Torah’s 100th year. I’ve gotten very involved in the TT100 activities because it just seems amazing to me that one of the oldest Jewish day schools in Canada is right here in Edmonton. And it’s a tribute to the profound dedication of all the students, parents and teachers that have come before us that we are here today to celebrate such a beautiful community school.

What I loved most about Todd Babiak’s article was that he captured the true essence of Talmud Torah school – diversity. It’s not always obvious to those outside the Jewish community, but often what Jews truly have in common is their diversity. Some of us come from other parts of Canada and the US; others from Israel and Russia. Some of us attend traditional congregations; others are devoutly progressive. Some of us know all the prayers and speak Hebrew; others are learning both from our children. Some of us keep kosher; others are rethinking the whole concept of a dietary code. Even among our closest friends in the community, there are often as many differences as similarities in practice and understanding of the tradition. Yet, there’s a unity in our diverse relationships with a common heritage.

All of this came to the fore today at the Torah Ora ceremony in which my own twin grade 2 students graduated. The class sang, danced and recited several prayers before each child gave a short speech upon receiving their own copy of the Tanakh – the Hebrew scriptures consisting of the Torah (five books of Moses), the Prophetic books and other Writings. This ritualized rite of passage was important for all of us. For the kids, they were so excited to show off their knowledge and be the centre of communal attention. For their teacher, he got to show off his own hard work in a beautiful expression of devotion to his students and indirectly their parents and the community. And for the parents, we got to sit and watch our tiny, sweet bundles of joy cross that threshold into tweeny pre-adolescence. (Ugh. How I loved the phase we are leaving.)

I did not attend a Jewish day school when I was growing up. I was a product of the public school system and my kids were going to be too. We’d get our Jewish identity at home, at the synagogue, in youth groups and summer camps. Then, we moved to Edmonton and visited Talmud Torah and saw all the advantages of a community school – this community school, in particular – operating within the public school system and it was clear where we wanted to land in Edmonton.

In the (almost) two years since arriving, we’ve become very involved in the school. I serve on the board of the Talmud Torah Society and I sit on the steering committee for the TT100 celebrations. (I’m also the Mayor of Talmud Torah for any of you Foursquare users.) I am proud to be a part of a community organization with such deep roots in this great city.

However, I am most proud of my twins for embracing their identity and acknowledging their gratitude to their teacher Moreh Ari whose own passion and enthusiasm has filled them with inspiration and shown them the joy of learning.

So, if you’re interested in following along, here are their speeches.

If you had trouble hearing the speeches, here is the priceless handwritten text that each of them prepared. I swear that neither me nor my wife provided any help to write these speeches. Both kids expressed gratitude to their teacher and Ben even gave a shout out to his “peers” for helping him “earn” it. (Where does a grade 2 kid get language like that?) Ella, of course, has always been told she can be anything she wants and do anything in Judaism that boys do. She has wisdom and compassion beyond her years and she would make a great rabbi.