Mommash: The Oy & Joy of Family with Lori Fein Lori Fein

An absolutely incredible conversation with Avigail Gimpel, mother of three sons and three daughters, author of two books on raising a child with ADHD symptoms, college professor, community activist, and exercise enthusiast. Avigail shares how her early experience teaching a class full of rowdy boys led her to think deeply about root causes for ADHD behaviors, and search for diet, exercise, and behavioral strategies to nurture each child's strengths. She discusses the centrality of fun to family life, sending her children off to war, relying on her kids as a multiplier for her work, and how Jewish practice and belief centers her family life. Avigail also shares reflections on her work preparing women for burial after 10/7. Plus, a three-year jaunt to Moscow with toddlers in tow, running marathons as a family, monthly trips to the Tomb of the Patriarchs (Maarat ha Machpelah) in Hebron, avoiding using your kids as your therapists, and building a close community to guide each other in tough times.


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While raising eight sons and daughters, Ahava Ehrenpreis overcame numerous challenges to provide her children with a rich experience including world travel, academic achievement, and deep support from family. An incredibly positive and spiritual person, and an accomplished author of numerous articles and three books, Ahava shares her experiences raising her large family, including a child with Down's Syndrome, her son Saadya; we dive deep into how the siblings both supported him and grew themselves through love of and interactions with their brother. We discuss fostering Saadya's independence, including riding NY subways and attending college, and draw lessons applicable to all children. We also discuss how parents and families can overcome tragedy, including how Ahava dealt with the loss of two sons. Plus, schlepping kids to Japan, summers in Israel, finding balance in a busy life, and unique ways her Jewish community supported her in good and bad times.



Ahava Ehrenpreis is author of  More than Special: Perspectives from the World of Special Needs, On My Own…but Not Alone and My Special Uncle, a book for children about special needs adults in their lives.


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Best-selling author, top-in-category podcaster, non-profit Director and mother of three daughters and five sons, Gila Ross relies on Jewish wisdom to guide her very modern life. Whether moving her tribe from England to Denver, searching for a family outing suitable for ages 3 to 19, or chilling out together on a Shabbat evening, Gila approaches family life as a way for children and parents to become their best selves, together. Was your kid who has a tantrum in the supermarket was sent here to teach you a lesson in Empathy? Pride? Forgiveness? Plus, embracing imperfection, creating a culture of balance at work, tapping into lessons written thousands of years ago to navigate today's challenges, and the comfort of a mentor's advice on living life at 100%.
Gila is the author of Living Beautifully: How to Bring Meaning, Joy, and Love Into Your Life Based on the Timeless Wisdom of Pirkei Avos, available at https://www.amazon.com/Living-Beautifully-meaning-timeless-wisdom/dp/1957579811/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3VKX74HF5DNE5&keywords=living+beautifully+gila+ross&qid=1703822843&s=books&sprefix=living+beautifully+gila+ross%2Cstripbooks%2C62&sr=1-1

Pray for the release of the hostages!


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Shana Tova! In a wonderful start to the year, Rebbetzin Tova Rapoport shares her Oys and Joys in raising a family of fourteen sons and daughters, born over a twenty-six year span (and yes, there are grandchildren older than her youngest children). She shares how she kept her sanity and "raised a healthy mom," stories of family trips in their 15 passenger van, her thoughts on extracurricular activities, how she changed from her early to later parenting days, letting go of perfection goals, and what kids need most to thrive. May all our community of over 2000 listeners continue to thrive in the coming year, and may you have a meaningful Yom Kippur full of reflection, gratitude, and Teshuvah, returning to your true self and your true purpose. There's Mommash nothing like it!
Please continue to subscribe, rate, review, comment, and drop a note in our Lunchbox@Mommash.com!

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In this bonus episode, Lori recounts some recent family adventures, schlepping seven people to move Daughter #3 into college (the minivan miracle -- it fit!), making a colossal mess on the eve of a trip, summer rituals that imprint for life, and how to make memorable moments of both ordinary and extraordinary, Joy and Oy events. Enjoy Labor Day weekend and your family -- there's Mommash Nothing like it!



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Twentieth Episode!!! Thank you to all our amazing listeners who have helped us grow and grow to reach this point! Write us at Lunchbox@Mommash.com!
This week Mommash: The Oy & Joy of Family features twos mom devoted not only their own amazing families, but to enriching Jewish family life worldwide through their work for Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). JFNA Board Chair Julie Platt shares stories of how she nurtured family bonds, personal passions, Jewish commitment, and philanthropic values in her two daughters and three sons (including your Broadway-obsessed kid's favorite star, Ben!), drawing on her Shabbat-observant upbringing as the only Jew in her 671` student class in Wichita, her star turns in the Camp Ramah shows (with Hebrew lyrics still memorized decades later), and putting her values into action through volunteer leadership across the Jewish world. Bonus guest, Broward Federation CEO Audra Berg, mom of two teen sons, shares her experiences working at Federation and bringing her kids along for the ride. Plus, cultivating close siblings, perfecting the brisket recipe (while abandoning the quest for the perfect challah), camp as a life changing endeavor, empowering our children through our communal work, moving from Chicago to Boca, handling rejection, rallying around the kid who needs it, and plenty of kvelling!
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Write to Lori at Lunchbox@Mommash.com!
We love your feedback -- there's Mommash Nothing Like It!


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