Won Ton O Kreplach? How to Raise Children in Our Chinese-Jewish Family

I always knew my Oriental wife was a jew, after all, grew up eating Chinese food!

Grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in Montreal. My mother is Sephardic Italian and my father is a Holocaust survivor from Poland. I speak Italian with my mother and Yiddish with my father and brothers. My wife, Belinda Cheung was born and raised in Hong Kong and came to Canada when he was 17.

I married Belinda in 1999. Our marriage has worked well. Despite our cultural differences, our worldviews and approaches to life are amazingly identical. We are committed to raising our two young children, and our lives are meaningful and fulfilling.

Frames reflecting both Chinese and Jewish influences adorn our home. We are lovers of knowledge of different cultures. We make a point to learn their languages through tapes and books. Although we are both fully fluent in English, my wife chooses to talk to our children, Cantonese and I speak Yiddish. Between us, converse in English. Our children are identified with their names Yiddish and Chinese, in addition to their English names. Our eldest son, Asher (3 years) seems to manage well the different languages. We make an effort to be consistent in our use of language with our children. We expose them to play both Chinese and Jews, as well as Chinese, Yiddish, Hebrew and English books, songs and video.

With an Italian mother and a Chinese wife, I'm probably one of the well-fed boys on earth! On Saturday, my wife often makes "Chinese cholent," I really enjoyed it. She shops for Chinese mushrooms, lotus seeds, ginseng and various kinds of fruits and vegetables Chinese in Chinatown. I am pleased to prepare Italian dishes, and both, like the Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine. Once, my mother-in-law assisted with cooking, and all we had an authentic Chinese meal on the night of Friday. It 'been a pleasant evening and a pleasant cultural shock for my parents. Using chopsticks is still a challenge for me, but it just makes your life more interesting!

I am fascinated with Chinese history, language and culture. Belinda The roots are almost as important to me as my own. I am constantly looking for ways to infuse more Chinese culture in our lives. Even my favorite show links ancient Chinese writings, and I often take them to Saturday. The Chinese and Jews have much in common in their ethical teachings.

We keep a kosher diet and to celebrate all Jewish holidays, including Easter Saturday. We are grateful that my parents, my in-laws of China, as well as our relatives and friends lay people are respectful of our Jewish observances. My brother-in-law, who is Protestant, had joined us on several occasions and experienced the Sabbath and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), and also had a taste of matzah on Passover. We lai-si (red packets containing money, decorated with characters and designs that symbolize luck and wealth) to our children Chinese Year.We can take a dragon boat race during the Dragon Boat Festival, or playing with Chinese lanterns around the August Moon Festival. When we are sick, seek medical care and advice of two Chinese and Western doctors. Last year I had the opportunity to meet many of my wife's relatives and childhood friends in Hong Kong, as well as to visit its schools and talk with his former teachers. Belinda also enjoyed meeting my aunts and cousins in Rome. These experiences are very special and memorable for us.

While we loved both backgrounds, when we have to choose between their Jewish holidays and observances take precedence over the Chinese holidays and customs. Belinda Judaism is meaningful and has learned to love it more than Chinese traditions. Judaism is important to us and helps imbue our lives with meaning and direction ..

How did we get this right? From the moment we started dating, we enthusiastically explored each other's cultures through visiting many ethnic establishments and participating in various cultural activities. Our goal was to broaden our horizons and take the best of both worlds. However, since my parents were vehemently opposed to my dating Belinda because my religion forbids mixed marriages, we dug deeper Judaism, while also examining other religions. We read voraciously on a variety of spirituality. We attended Chinese churches, Buddhist and Taoist temples, attended by Jews for Jesus, the Reform and Conservative Jewish synagogues and Orthodox events, visited a Sikh Gurdwara, a Muslim mosque and toured Israel for a month. It 'been a long journey but well worth it. In all, there has inspired each other in our spiritual growth and helped shape the vision of another life. Belinda eventually converted to Judaism after more than four years of exploration and learning. She really loves the Jews. One important reason that my wife and I adjusted to each other so well is that we had developed a common vision for ourselves before we got married.

Now we're linked to a Torah community, close to where people are accepting of us and our Asian-looking Jewish children. We were warned by the rabbinical court, who presided over the conversion of my wife that there would always be some Jews who, through ignorance of Judaism, look down at converts and their children as "not really" Jewish. Thank God we have not experienced this type of degradation.

We hope that our children grow, they question, examine and renew their commitment to our Jewish heritage, and also respect and honor their Chinese roots. Who bring their Jewishness in their relationships and raise their children with healthy and life affirming values and practices.

This article originally appeared on http://www.InterfaithFamily.com, a member of Jewz.com Media Network.

People Literacy

popular literacy is the ability to read and understand the differences in behavioral style of others.

Each manager has experienced the frustration of not understanding why a management approach that works beautifully with one employee is ineffective with another. This is because what we think the motivation is not always motivating to someone else.

The same principle applies to client relations and co-worker. We "click" or connect with some individuals and understand. But we also work with people who approach things differently. Research shows there are four different dimensions of behavioral style. Understanding their characteristics can help us become more effective in our interactions with each other.

Four Dimensions

The Personal Profile System ® is a tool that helps identify how we tend to behave. It identifies four different behavioral dimensions: dominance, influence, steadiness and conscience. Even if we behave with all four dimensions, we tend to use one or two more often.

Dominance. People who demonstrate the dominant ("D") behavioral style are usually fast and task-oriented people. They thrive on the challenge of solving problems. Those with the "D" behavioral tendencies are responsible for quick decisions. Do not expect to be given sufficient authority, take it. Do not swamp these people down with fluff or details only the results of their interest. "Ds" are more comfortable when they can control their environment. They work best when they are free from controls and supervision. They exceed the opposition to get the job done.

Those with the "D" behavioral tendencies tend to get immediate results, actions or proceedings, accept challenges, make quick decisions, question the status quo, take authority, manage and troubleshoot problems. They seek an environment that includes power, authority, prestige, challenge, opportunity, scope, freedom and variety. But they need others who weigh the pros and cons, calculate risks, make sure the structure a more predictable environment, research facts, deliberate before deciding, and recognize the needs of others. Actually, to be more effective, those with the style "D behavior need to realize that they need people, identification with a group, awareness of existing sanctions, and restrain and relax more.

Influence. Individuals with influenza, or "I" behavioral tendency are also fast, but more people-oriented. These are "people people." They prefer to be around others and are enthusiastic and fun. Popularity is important to them. Get their work making allies with others. They enjoy contacting people, making a good impression, articulate speaking, creating a motivational environment, generating enthusiasm, entertaining people, and participation in groups. They seek an environment that includes popularity, social recognition, freedom of expression, group activities, democratic relationships, freedom from control and detail, the ability to verbalize proposals, coaching and counseling skills, and favorable working conditions. They need others who focus on the job, seek the facts, speak directly, sincerity, respect, to develop systematic approaches, prefer to deal with people, a logical approach and demonstrate individual follow-through. To be effective, individuals with "I" need to control behavioral style of the time, the objectivity of decision-making, participatory management, more realistic assessments of others, priorities and deadlines, and be more firm with others.

Firmness. Like those with the style of influence, people who demonstrate the firmness or "behavioral tendency S" are people-oriented, but at a much slower pace. The style's not like making quick decisions, but consistency value instead. The style "S is patient and faithful. They are also very good at listening to people and other soothing when they get angry. Individuals with the "focus style of behavior on cooperation with others to accomplish their tasks.

Individuals with the model of stability tend to play in a consistent, predictable. Have the desire to help others, demonstrate patience, develop specialized skills, concentrate on the task, show loyalty, be good listeners, and calm excited people. They seek an environment that includes security, predictability, minimal work infringement on home life, credit for work well done, sincere appreciation, identification with a group, and minimal conflict. They need others who react quickly to unexpected changes, extending to the challenges of an accepted task, be involved in more than one thing, are self-promotion, apply pressure on others to work comfortably in an unpredictable environment, the priorities of work are flexible work practices, value and contribute to the work. To be effective, individuals with the need to condition set style before changing, the validation of its value, information on how best to contribute, work colleagues competence similar guidance, encouragement and confidence in others.

Conscientiousness. People who demonstrate consciousness or behavioral tendency C "are slower paced and task-oriented. The "C" are concerned to do the job right and pay excessive amounts of attention making sure it is. Unless the quality will be improved, change the "C" does not like sudden or abrupt. They get their job, working with existing circumstances to promote quality.

These people participate in key directives and standards, focus on key details, use a systematic approach to situations, are diplomatic with people, check for accuracy, think critically and use subtle or indirect approaches to conflict. They seek an environment that includes security, standards, security, reassurance, stability and collegiality. They need others who delegate important tasks, make quick decisions, open doors, use policies only as guidelines, compromise with the opposition, state unpopular positions, initiate and facilitate discussion and encourage the work of team. To be effective, individuals with the "C" behavioral tendency need precision work, the possibility of careful planning, exact job descriptions, performance evaluation plans, respect for their worth, and tolerance for the conflict.

Adapting to another dimension

Different behavioral dimensions are not a liability. This is a good thing since the restriction of a person to another force. If you understand and respect the individuality of others, we can make another person what they need to feel good and you can build on their limitations. For example, if you run "Democrats" need to understand and respect their need to control the environment. Do not try to force your behavioral dimension on them. If you do, will balk. Let them set their agenda and the work is still better for them. Those with the "I" style want to be sure have a lot of interaction with other people when they do their work. Think of projects in terms of how much fun they will be. The "S-style worker wants to know you are reliable. They need to be sure they can count on you and that you are available for follow-up.

The "C worker size can get so wrapped up in perfection, it may take some time to complete a project." C "pay close attention to key details because they want to ensure that each point" i "and cross every" t "

The only way you can learn to identify the size of the behavior of others is to practice, practice, practice and collect the points and signals. Then you need to practice adapting yourself to their size. As we increasingly technologically advanced, we tend to ignore the human side of productivity. This is a mistake. We can not neglect the people who run the machines and computers. To be more effective in dealing with others, you have to understand what motivates them and gives them what they need. This ability to simply reading another behavioral dimension, and the flexibility to adapt your own, can go a long way towards a more productive work or business relationship.

See the future

Human civilization is now at the top (utopia - dystopia) of the total global awareness. The dawn of a new beginning of enlightenment and transcendence awakens the human spirit with the advent of a paradigm of peace and its new possibilities. The world is flourishing with people that disinterested desire to transform this world and prepare for the future. These beings follow the jurisdiction of the biological, physical and spiritual laws. They see themselves as people who can determine their destiny through the will, conscience, language, reason, subjectivity, purpose, moral and spiritual light of a direct connection to the universe. They see what humans have in common is more deeply rooted in what separates them. They believe that humanity's future will be shaped by the spiritual welfare and the existence of a unified race that will reveal to humanity its true purpose and understanding of the intelligence behind the universe alive.

Expand cosmic consciousness of humanity will evolve into beings of truth and light. human minds empty fear, uncertainty, psychic phenomena and mental waste of their conscience. The battle between good and evil will no longer polarize the human mind in false judgments as these phantoms of deception and control will soon disappear from the forefront of human thought. Infection of dependence and consumption are also passed, as the dissolution, fragmentation, fragmentation and destruction of knowledge and source of wisdom. Twisted wrong knowledge and wisdom must not be used to control the human mind or spirit. Nothing is hidden. The human mind moves in a perpetual state of exploration, association and happiness in the breath infinite universe.

Every human being must have a real unique identity and filled with unassailable integrity that will allow humans to interact with any on or off world cultures, no matter how strange. Human beings must have a great guiding light of ancestral knowledge that enlightens every experience, as the revelations of the universe unfold. Humans do not accept the idea of life throughout the universe, able to recognize and appreciate life.

In the understanding of humanity, according to the human way of thinking and, as a result of human principles, human beings are more than one system of ideas floating or causality of conscious beliefs and fears. Collectively, humanity can grow in knowledge and wisdom to realize that there is a first unmoved mover. A first case in the chain of causes. A designer rational universe that is total, absolute Alpha and Omega.

What we can see in this life is life after life. As a collective, humanity will realize that it has become a beast of ego, competitive, political separatism and endless ethnic divisions, aggravated by bad governments and religion. The flow of human events will quickly arrive at a new destination, where human beings decide to stick to their old ways of material concerns and move in a concerted fashion again at the end of destructiveness and violence overall. This new awareness and change ripple through the mental circuitry of millions of minds from around the world enough to correct the flow of negative current of human events. A large number of people become masters of kindness and generosity compassion through their work, actions and example. Full of beliefs, hopes and dreams of true lovers, and the reason the sentence is to make peace in all the human passions unattended. Individuals become peacemakers and lovers of life, can contribute to the collective reasoning compassionate to allow humanity to live through his daily rebirth and rise above the ashes of destruction yesterday.

The future of humanity is full of light. Human beings will realize the truth that unquenchable surface by a sudden paradigm shift in the intellectual and spiritual capital. A new equilibrium will emerge in societies around the world, offering ways to create collective growth through innovation and cooperation means economic equality.

The reins of power must be squeezed by a responsible and safe communities begin to address both intellectual as globalization, environmental change, widespread poverty and a rapidly growing human population in the context of a race, a planet. Human rights, political participation, economic productivity and scientific development will increase considerably, forcing the current political and economic models to be re-conceptualized, transformed and balanced. This will develop a more united, global human society oriented to form a non-political one-world government with centralized authority over all cultures, languages and economies. New "embrace and support" will emerge to include more global control of the state of commodities, import and unnecessary waste of materials. The first engine during this transitional period will be the creation of an intellectual revolution that will fuel the movement's cultural and spiritual self, to transcend all the mechanisms of control systems and environments currently governed by any "accumulated wealth" countries and institutions.

A cosmic sense of purpose and faith in himself the more critical and creative thinking is the only true way to see the possibilities of the future. It 'clearly a question about the natural world and the intellectual adventure of pioneering fundamental truth in a larger pattern of appeal to the universal potential of human understanding.

You are free to publish, reproduce and copy this article as you want! Instead, please get ... but do not change the content, please.

Gift for foreigners

It 'happened to us all. There is a Christmas party, or a new family in the neighborhood, or maybe we meet our family signifigant for the first time. You know you should bring a gift, but what to wear for someone who know nothing or very little? You do not want to risk emberassing yourself with a gift that is bland, but do not know the recipient likes or dislikes. This article describes my thought process when I am put in this situation. It is hoped that the suggestions presented here will help you as well!

Opportunity is always a gift. If this is the holiday season, then you should be able to find gift packs everything from fruit and wine, in Cologne and bath products. However you should know the recipient to some extent before presenting this type of gift. What if the alien does not drink alcohol or are allergic to some frangrance?

No matter what the reason for a gift or who the beneficiary is, we are all able to put
We are in the position of another person to a certain extent. Although we do not know much about
the person, we know some things. Let's go identify them.

1. This person is male or female.

2. We know where we met or will meet this person.

3. This person receives a gift from us.

Now we can put the shoes there for a few minutes. Suppose I am buying a gift for a lady who just moved into my neighborhood. I know that I am a girl who receives a gift from a neighbor I have never met, probably on my door. Now I know I need a gift
a format that is easy to carry and hold, while in a doorway. I need a gift that is not
too specific. I need a gift that I would if I was under the stress of a new
move.

Now brainstorm with what we know.

1. An assortment of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and covers a wide variety of tastes. Would
be easily managed by standing in a doorway. It informs the recipient that you know
worked very hard and could use a break.

2. An address book and the pen would be useful to anyone entering a new district. This
also light enough to not be an obstacle. I could throw in a list of places offering restraunts
to add a personal touch and eliminate the need for her to cook a meal!

3. An assortment of candles gift would help set my destination for a night of much needed relaxation. Again it is easy to handle in the doorway. After the excitement of moving in settles down, would be a nice decorative addition to his new home.

This technique can be used under any circumstances. If you are put in these types of
situations often you get to practice this skill and become a master. Why not start now
and of buying aquantances casual for no particular reason. Then it will be ready when pressure
is on, and one could make a lasting friendship!

English Slang For Perplexed Tourists

I watched the British version of 'Big Brother' recently. This is the TV show that is a human hamster cage. Viewers go 'ooh' and 'aah' about what they like or dislike, and vote to decide who leaves the house. Meanwhile, contestants do tricks for the amusement of the audience. The last man earns £ 100,000. The production company makes millions. All contestants lose any shred of dignity and anonymity.

The 2005 version had a boy and a girl Essex Essex on it; modern Cockneys. Their speech was full of annoying, redundant phrases, verbal fillers, if you like. This 'has the balls' (nerves) so much that I decided to compile a list of these phrases. Now, every visitor to London and surrounding areas can understand the natives.

- Respect: high demand by those least deserving of it, street thugs, wide boys, guys, Z-list celebrities and rap acts from Chipping Sodbury.

- Àow Roight?: Hello, so good (between us)?

- Right?: Questions used to punctuate sentences. A trick to ensure the public is listening to what is probably trivial example: "I went Inna coffee on the highway, right? Geez and I look weird, right?, A 'I Wasn' nuffin doin ', right? So I told 'im, I says ...

- Health: Thank you. Derived from the greeting of the drinkers'.

- At the end of the day: Meaning 'when all is said and done'. A cliche. Emphasizes what comes after, which is also trivial example: "At the end of the day, you look after yourself, know woh average?"

- Know what I mean: It emphasizes what comes before it, usually trivial. A verbal trick, to get the attention of the listener. Used by those who are not sure whether they express themselves clearly. What is the most time.

- Seriously: Another 'emphasiser'. It means 'I am serious about following' for example, "Seriously, I'm pissed off with you, Craig. Or as a question: "My mate (friend) Sandra had a boob job (breast enhancement). To which you reply: "Really?".

- To be honest with ya: Meaning, I'm not usually. They are, rather, to be serious. An overused phrase. What follows is not guaranteed to be sincerely say, or trust.

- What is good: a suggestion on an exaggeration, and in bad faith. for example, "I won a big yesterday, on a scratchcard. Which is good."

- Scary: could scare two years. Used by women or gay forward faux distress. A bad haircut can be 'scary'. A spider making a dash for the sudden discharge is 'scary'.

- How 'appens: a hint of exaggeration here, for example, "I was down the dogs (dog track) yest'day as' appens (happens).

- 'F th' pronounced as' how to 'Wan Foo, Fwee, Foah' (One, two, three, four). There is a definite sense that this is done deliberately. A return to a child-like speech-impediment.

- Abaht nuffin dan't Oi kna 'it: I know nothing. He said with an air of complaint, as ...

- Oi know, I?: You must somehow be aware of my ignorance, perhaps by telepathy. This phrase is key. If you can penetrate his rebuke, heart complaints, English or understand the modern woman.

- No disrespect to: I'm about to criticize the next person, but do not want to assume the responsibility to do that I AM disrespect so and so.

- Sweet, or 'sweet as' (a nut): response to a successful operation, or an unexpected bonus. It is often said when you have gained something that is not you for example the right to robbing a shop than two hundred cartons of Benson & Hedges cigarettes, and got away. 'Sweet!'.

- Sha p! (Shut up): I agree with what you say, but not the spirit, patience or vocabulary to divorce, so you'll tell 'ap Sha' instead. Repeatedly.

- I am not 'Appy (around ...): I am a Lord of Creation, hear my wrath.

- End (End of story): I made a final statement, there is no need to say more on this topic.

Warning: The biggest lie that Social Security

As I said, if you are poor and on social security do not, I repeat, do not read this article. Why? Because I'm going to blast the recent article that was in USATODAY August 16, 2005.

What he said: "Millions of Americans go on Social Security alone."

Stand back ... I warned you.

Here goes ...

What the hell are you thinking people. And by 'people' I mean you poor dumb ass no success driven, lazy, good for people food for cats.

WHY 'you do not have the money?

What comes from the mouth will now be an excuse ... Pure and simple.

Because I was a housewife or a farmer or not I worked a lot, either I or this was what I had.

10.6 million Americans living on Social Security alone. It hurts. The United States is the land of opportunity and some people can not even feed themselves.

What is wrong with you?,

If we were still living in the trees in Africa and had not yet evolved, your ass would be starved out long ago. Only the strong survive.

Now that may be strong-willed, strong spirit, or any other type of force that is expected not to be eating cat food.

That's part of the article laugh:

"For some older people, only admitting they need help is hard. They are proud people," says Hulsey. They want to live independently for as long as possible .... One reason they hold on: They do not want to have to depend on Medicaid, the government program of health. If they get Medicaid, they can not have more. Johnson said that in Oregon, if you go on Medicaid, the State may be reimbursed by your property when you die, leaving heirs with little. People want leave an estate when they pass on, Johnson says. deseperate They hold up to the last. "

Okay ... 99/100 and now when you die you're just living on Social Security, you do not have a property. Your heirs will get stuck with the bill.

Now I'm done ranting.

Although it might be too late for those 10.6 million Americans living on Social Security, is not too late for some of us. I urge everyone to read about Wealth Building, and then intervene to it.I do not want to read the newspapers too.

Social security should be used to pay your green fees.

The desire for success

Owen Stobbe

Cure Autism Now with a silver charm

Purchasing a silver charm is just one of the ways you can help support autism research. Autism is a brain disorder that affects their ability to communicate and associate with others normally. Symptoms are usually detected during the first three years of life. Autism affects about 1 in every 166 persons in the United States, however, there is currently very little information about autism. Cure Autism Now (CAN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of autism research in order to find better treatments. If you are looking for a way to help, there are several ways, including: a purchase of silver bracelets organization, participating in a WALK NOW event, becoming a corporate partner, starting your fundraising, or doing a monetary donation.

silver bracelets are now available through the CAN website to raise more funds for autism research. Each charm silver bracelet features a silver heart charm. For an extra donation, you may also receive five additional silver charms with different designs (a boy, a girl, a cross, a sign of peace, and a star of David). This charming silver bracelet was designed by actress Rene Russo, an honorary committee member of CAN. The charm bracelet is also available in gold along with other accessories that will help benefit CAN with your purchase.

Besides the charm silver bracelet, you can support CAN by participating in a WALK NOW event. WALK is now a 5 K (just over 3 km) walk to raise money and provide awareness for autism. In any event WALK Now there is a information center where parents and others can learn more about autism and what current research has found. There are also arts, crafts and other activities for children will be entertained. There are several events today WALK annually in different locations to give a chance for everyone to participate.

Another way to help CAN is to become a corporate partner. CAN is always looking for sponsorship. Some of the current members of CAN include company Johnson and Johnson, RBC Mortgage, and MBNA America. If you have a company that would become a business partner, CAN would truly appreciate any help you can offer.

It can also help CAN creating your fundraising event or campaign. This method requires a large amount of planning and organization, however, is a way you can let your imagination. One of the most creative fundraising events for CAN was the "Express Your Love" Motorcycle Ride in Chicago. However, there are some guidelines and procedures from CAN that must be followed if you want to create your own charity event.

Finally, if you want to donate money, but are not interested in a silver charm bracelet, there are many other ways to make a monetary donation. You can do it online, by mail, or through United Way. You can also donate appreciated stocks and mutual funds or you can even include CAN in your will. CAN appreciate any way that you can possibly help them financially so they can continue to provide quality autism research.

Purchase of a charm bracelet silver, participating in a WALK NOW event, becoming a corporate partner, creating your fundraising event, making a donation are all ways that you can help support CAN in order to find appropriate treatment for autism. With this research, there is hope for tens of thousands of people find a decent treatment or possibly even a cure for autism. CAN works to bring hope.