The Language of Ahava

Episode #20 We are the Dads

This is the final episode of this podcast season. What better finale than to bring Dads into the spotlight! We have two very special dads joining Rabbi Steinhardt and me on today's conversation. Welcome to Jamey Eisenberg and to Karl Kaufman - two amazing, thoughtful and loving Dads who are care very much about raising little people who are equally thoughtful and loving. But I know that gets complicated when children are little and parents are trying to connect all the dots. Listen in as we talk about Dad Life, Dad friendships and the role models help shape fatherhood. You will love this episode!

Episode #19 What will be your family's Covid story - Memories of a very strange year

Today is one of those special conversations that began when Tobi Steinhardt shared a book she made for her grandson and I knew immediately that her process and her gift needed to be shared with other families. It was a photo book of A Very Strange Year - the Covid Year! And the questions I want to ask are: What will be your family story? What do you want to remember from these historic times? How will you frame experiences that flipped "normal" into something completely unprecedented? To help us answer these question, we also have Dr. Caren Neile joining us. Caren is a magnificent storyteller herself and she teaches all of us to be better storytellers. Dr. Neille has taught storytelling studies at Florida Atlantic University for over 20 years. She is an author and co-produces and co-hosts The Public Storyteller weekly segment on Florida Public Radio WLRN, as well as countless storytelling events. Caren is the perfect guest to help us curate our own family stories and navigate all the layers of emotions and memories of these Covid years. You can find out more about Caren's work at www.carenneile.com

Episode #18 It's a Mitzvah to be Happy but is it possible?

It's a mitzvah to be happy but is it possible? Is it authentic? Should we pretend to be happy in front of our children? Always? Sometimes? Should we ask our children to be happy...despite how they are feeling? How do we validate our emotions and still strive for joy? How can we laugh when there is suffering - in the world and even in our children's experiences? It's not surprising that the "answers" to so many Jewish questions are layered and nuanced - giving focus and perspective to living in complicated times. Listen to this great conversation with Josh Flig and Rhiannon Reichenbach as we try to find a way to be present for our children while connecting to essential values and emotional skill building. Thank you to our awesome guests this week!!!

Episode #17 The Developmental Impact of the Covid Years

When was the "last normal school year"? For 12th Graders, it was 9th Grade. For 6th Graders, it was 3rd Grade. For Kindergartners through 2nd Grade, NEVER! Our preK children were in the 2's. And our Family Time children are all "Covid babies" born during the pandemic! So, we want to know: How has the isolation, the masking, the social precautions, the talk of catching and/or spreading a virus shaped our children? Is it a short term hiccup based on changes in children's social routines or will there be long term losses and gains that will change social and educational assumptions for a large number of children? With co-host, Rabbi David Steinhardt and Dr. Marnee Schneider, a Pediatric Clinical Neuropsychologist from www.drmschneider.com