Timely Lessons About Tyranny from the Father of the Constitution By John & Nisha Whitehead June 21, 2024 Share “Take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties.” — James Madison. James Madison, often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution,” once predicted that the Bill of Rights would become mere “parchment barrier,” words on paper ignored by successive generations of Americans. How right he was. Although Madison initially felt that the inclusion of a bill of rights in the originally ratified Constitution was unnecessary to its success, Thomas Jefferson persuaded him that “a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, & what no just government should refuse, or rest on inferences.” The Bill of Rights drafted by Madison—the first ten amendments to the Constitution—was a document so revolutionary at the time that it would come to be viewed as the epitome of American liberty. The rights of the people reflected in those ten amendments encapsulated much of Madison’s views about government, the corrupting influence of power, and the need for safeguards against tyranny. Madison’s writings speak volumes to the present constitutional crisis in the country. Read them and weep. “The accumulation of all powers, Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” — James Madison “The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.” — James Madison “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” — James Madison “A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home.” — James Madison “Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression.” — James Madison “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” — James Madison “I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”— James Madison In the years since the founders laid their lives on the line to pursue the dream of individual freedom and self-government, big government has grown bigger and the rights of the citizenry have grown smaller. However, there are certain principles—principles that every American should know—which undergird the American system of government and form the basis of our freedoms. The following seven principles are a good starting point for understanding what free government is really all about. First, the maxim that power corrupts is an absolute truth. Realizing this, those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights held one principle sacrosanct: a distrust of all who hold governmental power. As such, those who drafted our founding documents would see today’s government as an out-of-control, unmanageable beast. The second principle is that governments primarily exist to secure rights, an idea that is central to constitutionalism. The purpose of constitutionalism is to limit governmental power and ensure that the government performs its basic function: to preserve and protect our rights, especially our unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and our civil liberties. Unfortunately, the government today has discarded this principle and now sees itself as our master, not our servant. The third principle revolves around the belief that no one is above the law, not even those who make the law. This is termed rule of law. Richard Nixon’s statement, “When the President does it, that means it is not illegal,” would have been an anathema to the Framers of the Constitution. Fourth, separation of powers ensures that no single authority is entrusted with all the powers of government. The fact that the president today has dictatorial powers would have been considered an offense to every principle for which the Framers took their revolutionary stand. Fifth, a system of checks and balances, essential if a constitutional government is to succeed, strengthens the separation of powers and prevents legislative despotism. The Framers did not anticipate the emergence of presidential powers or the inordinate influence of corporate powers on governmental decision-making. Indeed, as recent academic studies now indicate, we are now ruled by a monied oligarchy that serves itself and not “we the people.” Sixth, representation allows the people to have a voice in government by sending elected representatives to do their bidding while avoiding the need of each and every citizen to vote on every issue considered by government. Finally, federalism is yet another constitutional device to limit the power of government by dividing power and, thus, preventing tyranny. In America, the levels of government generally break down into federal, state and local branches (which further divide into counties and towns or cities). Because local and particular interests differ from place to place, such interests are better handled at a more intimate level by local governments, not a bureaucratic national government. These seven vital principles have been largely forgotten in recent years, obscured by the haze of a centralized government, a citizenry that no longer thinks analytically, and schools that don’t adequately teach our young people about their history and their rights. Yet here’s the rub: while Americans wander about in their brainwashed states, their “government of the people, by the people and for the people” has largely been taken away from them. The answer, as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries: get un-brainwashed. Learn your rights. Stand up for the founding principles. Make your voice and your vote count for more than just political posturing. Never cease to vociferously protest the erosion of your freedoms at the local and national level. Most of all, do these things today. If we wait until the votes have all been counted or hang our hopes on our particular candidate to win and fix what’s wrong with the country, “we the people” will continue to lose. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >

August Icons: The Broward Center Is Home To Some Superstars This Month Wed Jul 26 2023 16:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Can You Take It With You? Almost 3 in 4 Floridians Want Their Social Media Posts Buried With Them Fri Nov 19 2021 05:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

What Kind Of Food Should You Feed Your Dog? December 12, 2024 Share Have you ever wandered into the pet supplies section of the grocery store and felt overwhelmed by the number of dog food choices? To help unravel this common conundrum, Dr. Katie Tolbert, a Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist and Associate Professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, offers expert advice on what kind of food you should feed your dog and choosing a diet that is well-suited for your dog’s unique health needs. The Basics Of Canine Nutrition Like people, dogs need to eat a healthy diet in order to maintain good health, improve quality of life and even prevent certain diseases. “Consistency and quality are both important,” Tolbert said. “Just like we can start to feel bad when we change our diet or eat unhealthy foods, dogs are also affected by what they eat.” But choosing a pet food diet can feel complicated because there are so many variables that affect owner choices. “The kind of food you feed your dog can depend on where you live and what you have access to, whether you have multiple pets to feed and what kinds of food you can afford,” Tolbert said. “You also need to consider things like your dog’s age,” she said. “Most dogs go through three big life stages — growth, adult and senior. With each stage, the animal’s nutritional requirements and the benefits they get from different nutrients will change. So, a growing puppy needs different food than a senior dog.” Tolbert recommends that every dog owner check their pet’s food label to see if it meets the nutritional levels recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), an organization that helps to set standards for pet foods based on type and animal stage of life. “An AAFCO adequacy statement helps to ensure that you’re feeding your dog a food that is appropriately labeled including providing caloric information, a life stage adequacy statement and an ingredient list,” she said. How To Know When Your Dog Is On The Wrong Food Because there are no universally correct choices for dog food, it’s important to pay attention to the signs that your furry friend may be on the wrong diet. According to Tolbert, the following signs may indicate that it’s time to see a veterinarian about switching your dog’s food: • Brittle coat that is abnormal for the breed • Loss of coat sheen or change of coat color • Hair loss • Activity loss that doesn’t correlate with age • Changes in stool consistency or frequency • Change in appetite or food seeking behavior “While these signs are not a guarantee that your dog is on the wrong diet, they are often early signals of an inappropriate diet or that something else is going on,” she said. “Either way, it’s time to visit a veterinarian.” The Benefits Of Working With A Veterinarian Regardless of what diet you’re interested in feeding your dog, Tolbert always recommends talking to your veterinarian before switching to a new diet. “Your veterinarian can help you decide which kind of food is best based on your dog’s health status, taste and consistency preferences and other factors, like your budget,” she said. “Especially if your pet has multiple health issues, it’s important to ask for help so that you can be sure you’re supporting each condition and its nutritional needs. “It’s also important to make sure that your dog food’s health claims are backed by research,” she said. “Your veterinarian can help you identify which claims are accurate.” Making sure that your canine companion eats a healthy diet tailored to their needs will help them live longer and feel better, while also reducing their chances of disease. Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk - Suggestions for future topics may be directed to: vmbs-editor@tamu.edu . < Previous News Next News >

Professor Miriam Hoffman, World-Renowned Yiddish Scholar And "The World’s Yiddishe Mameh," Has Died Jewish Connection News Aug 27, 2026 Professor Miriam Hoffman, The Fiery, Funny, And Fiercely Principled Matriarch Of Modern Yiddish Culture, Has Passed Away. She Was 90. Born Mirl Schmulewicz in Siberia in 1936, Hoffman spent her earliest years in the shadow of the Tobolsk Slave Labor Camp and the Russian border town of Saratov, before walking, at age nine, in a post-war refugee caravan from Poland to the Hindenburg-Kaserne Displaced Persons Camp in Ulm, Germany. That journey — from a stateless child behind barbed wire to one of the most influential voices in Yiddish language, academia and culture — became the foundation of a six-decade career devoted to proving that Yiddish was not a relic, but a living, breathing act of resistance to forgetting and a commitment to reviving the legacy of Ashkenazic Jewry. Hoffman’s academic career began at the storied Sholem Aleichem Folkshul #21 on Bainbridge Avenue in The Bronx and culminated in 25 years as professor of Yiddish language and Jewish culture at Columbia University, where she turned an elective language course into a life-altering experience for thousands of students. Her 700-page textbook, “Key to Yiddish,” remains the preeminent reference for Yiddish educators around the world. An award-winning playwright, Hoffman collaborated internationally on her Yiddish translations of Mel Brook’s The Producers (Montreal) and Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple (Israel). Together with her longtime writing partner, Rena Berkowicz Borow, she was embraced by the late Broadway impresario Joseph Papp, co-writing the libretto for the groundbreaking 1989 Yiddish/English musical Songs of Paradise, staged by The Public Theater — a landmark moment in the modern rebirth of Yiddish theater that paved the way for later Yiddish-language productions of Waiting for Godot, Death of a Salesman, and Fiddler on the Roof. For more than 35 years, Hoffman was a weekly columnist for the Forverts (The Yiddish Forward), where her thousands of essays fused sharp social critique with the warmth of Jewish folklore. “Yiddish will never die,” she insisted, “because it contains too much life — too much argument, irony, and love — to vanish quietly.” In her later years, Hoffman extended her life’s work beyond the classroom, co-founding the Not-For-Profit Yiddishkayt Initiative, Inc. and its global platform, YILoveJewish.org, with her son, actor, director, and producer Avi Hoffman. “My mother didn’t just teach Yiddish — she made the whole world fall in love with it,” says Avi Hoffman, Co-Founder of the Yiddishkayt Initiative. “She survived the worst of the 20th century and spent the rest of her life making sure the language and the people who spoke it would never be erased and forgotten. Every joke, every lecture, every column was her way of saying: “We are still here.” I have spent most of my life making sure her voice would be heard and remembered.” Shiva took place at Country Club Towers, 10777 West Sample Road, Apartment 1105, Coral Springs, Florida 33065 on Friday, July 31st, 2026; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, August 1st, 2026; 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 2nd, 2026; 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers or gifts, tax deductible donations to support Professor Hoffman’s Yiddish legacy can be made to Yiddishkayt Initiative at: www.YILoveJewish.org/donate Professor Hoffman is survived by her two sons, Avi and Benjamin; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild — and by a worldwide community of students, readers, theatergoers, and activists who carry forward her conviction that languages do not die of old age; they die of neglect. About the Yiddishkayt Initiative, Inc. Founded by Professor Miriam Hoffman and Avi Hoffman, the Yiddishkayt Initiative, Inc. (YILoveJewish.org) is a global resource dedicated to preserving and celebrating Jewish and Yiddish culture, education, and entertainment for new generations. Advocating for Jewish Pride, Building Cultural Bridges and Challenging antisemitism through the Arts. https://yilovejewish.org/ Professor Miriam Hoffman Avi Hoffman with his mother Professor Miriam Hoffman. Previous Next

Hosting Advice For A Perfect Holiday Ham Thu Nov 23 2023 17:04:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Celebrating Earth Day: Beach Changes, The Turtle Season And Updates On The Removal Of The Historic Banyan Tree By Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper April 25, 2024 Share As the world has celebrated Earth Day, I believe that we all can agree how important and fragile our natural environment is. Living in Florida we have many reminders of how beautiful nature can be. Whether it is our own yards, condominium grounds, one of our local parks, waterways and lakes or ocean we all have an obligation to maintain and protect these resources. When we do use our resources we all need to respect them. We need to keep them beautiful and free of trash. We need to keep our waterways clean and yes maintain our trees and landscapes. We need to all do our part, not just for our enjoyment but for the Native Animals, Birds, Fish, and in Florida our Sea Turtles. Turtle Season has begun. This means our shoreline will be monitored by a group of certified volunteers that look to see if turtles have made their way to the beach to lay their eggs.. Only after they give the all clear we cannot clean the beach, nor can residents set up chairs and umbrellas. During Turtle Season our City is tasked with ensuring that Turtle Lighting Regulations are being followed. These rules have been in place for years. All the condominiums have come into compliance for their Common Area Lighting that casts light onto the beach. Artificial Light that is not compliant confuses the turtle and they become disoriented and stuck. These rules were also expanded years ago to require individual condominium units. They cannot have lighting visibly exposed to the ocean. This means shades must be drawn or light turned off. Our Staff goes out to inspect in the evenings and will take pictures of all non-compliant buildings. They then will send a notice of violation to the building. The building is required to come into compliance and will be fined if the Violation/s is not corrected. As our readers can imagine this is not an easy task. Our inspectors are doing their jobs building managers are doing theirs, but some unit owners are either unaware or simply ignoring the rules. I am encouraging everyone that lives on the beach to make sure once it is dark to follow the rules. Our Staff will be providing pictures to managers and hopefully they will be able to communicate the importance of compliance. Just like with turtles we also are regulating beach chairs. We have resolved the conflict of possibly having one vendor for the entire beach. I am happy to report that our City Commission has come to a consensus in regard to courtesy beach chair storage and resetting and commercial concessions. While this is great news, the devil is in the details and there are items that must be developed. The first will be drafting a new ordinance defining beach chairs and regulating them. This must be approved by the commission. The other is a policy relating to licensing agreements and operational plan/s regulating the storing and placing of beach chairs along our beaches. This sounds easy but each building is different in the facts; they have different numbers of units, different access points, differences in the spacing between lifeguard stations and different levels of space between the shoreline and property lines. Neither of these are something that can be accomplished overnight. Our City Manager Dr. Earle, City Attorney Merino and Staff are all working diligently towards documentation and implementation. There is still the rule that there is no storage or presetting on our city beaches. We debated temporary fixes to supersede existing laws but there is still no quick fix. I understand that this has created complications for various condominiums along the beach. Your staff are not permitted to store or preset, so please collaborate with them and be patient. Our Staff as well has been tasked to work within existing codes and will continue to write Violations. Regretfully some individuals, and I stress this is few, believe that they can be abusive and disrespectful to both their service people as well as ours. This is not acceptable. In order to keep peace along our shoreline our City Manager has directed that our Code Enforcement Officers will be wearing a body camera. Our beach attendants and those that maintain our beaches will be documenting any and all interactions. Common sense tells us there need to be rules and regulations for safe peaceful enjoyment of everyone that lives on and visits our beach. I will continue to diligently work towards the resolution along with my colleagues and the completion of both aspects. I know our Staff is doing the same. Individual licensing agreements will be established for each building that desires one. I do not have time specifically for each one. These will be worked on at the same time of the ordinance. The ordinance will come back for first reading Wednesday, May 1st and the second and final reading will be on Wednesday, May 3rd.This time it is required by state statute. The Historic Banyan Tree was removed. What a sad day. After meeting with the community there was a suggestion to create a covered domino area. Final plans will be discussed at our next Commission Meeting. As I said in my article we are working to preserve and add trees. On Earth Day I had a resident reach out about neighbors cutting down trees on their property. Broward County and our City have had very strong rules for preservations. Regretfully the state has preempted many of the laws. We need to work to get them back. If a tree is healthy, it should be protected. I can be reached at: jcooper@cohb.org . Or: joycooper@aol.com . Or Facebook Mayor Joy Cooper. You can always call me on my office number at: (954) 457-1318. Or Call/Text me at: (954) 632-5700 Working for you! Always have! Always will! < Previous News Next News >

In-Person Summer Art Camp Programs Are Back: At The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) March 17, 2022 Share Make lasting memories and art at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA)! This summer, MOCA is offering a contemporary art experience with its summer art camps. Children ages 6-13 may join the museum for in-person camps including Studio Arts Camp and Dynamic Design Camp. Each session will offer a different theme to introduce students to a variety of contemporary art or design techniques. Studio Arts Camp is a well-rounded studio-based art program. Students will be introduced to contemporary art through discipline based hands-on learning. They will participate in daily discussions about their individual art projects and present their work to family and friends in a nurturing environment. Projects are inspired by MOCA exhibitions, fine art techniques, and contemporary or historic artists. The museum is their classroom. Dynamic Design Camp is a design-oriented immersion program where students will learn to appreciate the applied arts of architecture, graphic design, textile design, digital art and more. They will learn about materials and processes fundamental to daily life during field trips, in the museum during discussions, through making 2D and 3D projects in the classroom, and digital artwork on the supplied Surface Tablets. Campers are welcome to bring a healthy lunch as well as snacks that do not require refrigeration. Hot lunch is free for all students who wish to have it. Studio Arts campers will have a morning snack at 10:15 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. and Dynamic Design campers will have a morning snack at 10:25 a.m. and lunch at 12:40 p.m. The art camps will entail five, two-week sessions with different dates and themes, starting the week of June 13 through August 19. Studio Art Camp (Ages 6-9): Session 1 (June 13 - June 24): Clay Creations – Learn the basics of clay hand building and create functional and decorative sculptures. Learn how to use coil, slab and pinch techniques to make different objects out of air dry clay. Session 2 (June 27 - July 8): Creative Collage – Campers can learn all the different collage and assemblage techniques to create their own mixed media masterpiece. Jump from 2D to 3D in each project by layering materials and found media. Session 3 (July 11 - July 22) Wonderful Wearables – Lights, camera, fashion! Campers may create their own wearable textiles, jewelry, and patches and showcase a new understanding of fabric. Session 4 (July 25 - August 5): Marvelous Moving Images – Learn all about the magic of movies and animation, exploring stop motion, camera-less film projects, and the art of storytelling. Session 5 (August 8 - August 19): The World of Art – Explore the wide world of art techniques, making stops in Japan, Mexico, Ghana, Haiti, India and much more. Learn not only about these diverse cultures, but also celebrate the art and techniques that make them so unique. Dynamic Design Camp (Ages 10-13): Session 1 (June 13 - June 24): Stupendous Sculptures – Discover the many ways to create 3D art using mould making, casting, air dry clay, plaster and much more. Create functional or decorative design objects inspired by 3D artists and craftspeople Session 2 (June 27 - July 8): Precious Paper – Discover the one of the most dynamic materials in the world, paper! Campers may create their own handmade paper, books, jewelry, and sculptures using paper casting techniques. Campers may participate in a lantern building workshop to assemble their own, light-filled creations. Session 3 (July 11 - July 22): Fashion Fiesta – Discover ancient and modern techniques of fabric dyeing, weaving, and textile design through this course. Students will create scarves, patterns, and much more. Session 4 (July 25 - August 5): Movie Magic – Campers will learn the finer points of digital animation, how to create storyboards, design movie posters, and screen their own final short film. Session 5 (August 8-19): Anime-tion – Learn all the different styles of cartooning in this camp, through the history of manga in Japan all the way to today’s drawing and animation styles. Campers should come with a positive attitude and be ready to have fun. Also, they should dress for a mess and it's recommended to pack an extra t-shirt. Campers should wear comfortable clothing including shorts or pants and must wear closed toed shoes. Crocs are not permitted unless they are worn with the back sandal strap on. Campers will be spending some time outside. If parents would like them to wear sunscreen or bug spray, they must administer it at home in the morning and should bring a healthy lunch and a snack. All backpacks and lunch boxes should have the child’s name on them. No peanuts or peanut-based products are permitted. Campers should not bring toys or electronics. Camp hours are from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., pre-care drop-off begins no earlier than 8 a.m., camp drop-off begins no earlier than 8:45 a.m., and pick-up is from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Extended Care must be booked a week prior and is available 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., drop-off for extended care begins at 8 a.m. Any camper still in MOCA’s care after 4 p.m. who is not pre-registered for aftercare will go into aftercare for an additional late registration fee of $15 per day, per child. The cost is $125 per week for MOCA Family Level Members, $150 per week for non-members, 10% off additional family members registered and $50 per week for Extended Care, if needed. Payment can be made in cash or via credit card. Advance purchase is recommended, as the Summer Camp programs frequently sell out prior to the event. A limited number of scholarships are available to students with proof of enrollment in Miami Dade County Public Schools Free and Reduced Meals Program. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited. Registration forms for 2022 summer camps are available at MOCA’s front desk. For more information about scholarships available, please email: education@mocanomi.org . Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) 770 Northeast 125th Street Miami, Florida 33161 About the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami MOCA North Miami presents contemporary art and its historical influences through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. Inspired by its surrounding communities, MOCA connects diverse audiences and cultures by providing a welcoming place to encounter new ideas and voices, and nurturing a lifelong love of the arts. MOCA developed from the Center of Contemporary Art which was inaugurated in 1981. The establishment of the permanent collection coincided with the institution’s move into their current building designed by Charles Gwathmey of GSNY in 1996. Under the direction of Executive Director Chana Sheldon and a newly installed Board of Trustees, MOCA premiered AFRICOBRA: Messages to the People during Art Basel Miami Beach in 2018. AFRICOBRA: Nation Time, the next chapter of the exhibition, was selected as an official Collateral Event of Biennale Arte 2019 in Venice, Italy. Original exhibitions include: My Name is Maryan curated by Alison Gingeras (2021), Michael Richards: Are You Down? co-curated by Alex Fialho and Melissa Levin (2021), Raul de Nieves: Eternal Return and The Obsidian Heart curated by Risa Puleo (2020), and Alice Rahon: Poetic Invocations curated by Teresa Arcq (2019). Located in one of the most diverse communities in the country, MOCA North Miami welcomes 35,000 visitors per year, and its award-winning education programs have served thousands of children and teens. MOCA North Miami exhibitions and programs are made possible with the continued support of the North Miami Mayor and Council and the City of North Miami, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. The museum is supported by the Green Family Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Nathan Cummings Foundation, Terra Foundation for American Art and individual donors. < Previous News Next News >

Christmas Conflicts: Study Finds 1 in 4 Florida Family Gatherings Descend Into Drunken Arguments December 23, 2021 Share If Hollywood holiday blockbusters, like “Home Alone,” “Elf” or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” are anything to go by, the festive season of family feuds is upon us! On a serious note, many people consider the holidays a difficult time of year to come together in high spirits with relatives from near and far as there’s almost always an argument that ensues. This time of year, the internet is filled with tips and tricks on how to avoid or resolve family conflicts during a time that’s meant to be overflowing with joyous spirits and holiday festivities. But, when alcohol is involved, things can get even more boisterous around the dinner table. • 38% say family arguments involve the presence of alcohol • Politics is typically the main reason for family arguments over the Christmas period • 4 in 5 have at least one extended family member who annoys them American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction treatment and resources, conducted a survey (3,405) to find out how families deal with alcohol-fueled feuds over the holiday season. It was uncovered that almost 1 in 4 (23%) of Florida family gatherings involve drunken arguments over the holiday season - above the national average of 21%. In fact, of all the joy-depleting family feuds there have been in the family over the years, the average Floridian said 38% of them involved the presence of alcohol. It seems that families in Delaware were most affected by these alcohol-fueled family feuds, with 1 in 3 stating these types of arguments generally take place in their household over the festive period. Comparatively, households in Hawaii tend to keep the peace with just 5% of people who said they experience family gatherings featuring drunken arguments over the season. Talk about harmonious holidays! Of course, bringing together close and distant relatives of different ages and varying mindsets has the potential to end up badly, especially when alcohol is involved. In fact, an overwhelming number of people (81%) said they have at least one extended family member who annoys them. And when it comes to drinking, over half (57%) of respondents said they also have at least one extended family member who becomes confrontational or argumentative when they have alcohol at get-togethers. The occurrence of drunken arguments affects some so drastically that 68% said they would consider an alcohol-free family Christmas in order to avoid these festive-dampening feuds. Some say politics is among the top topics you should definitely avoid discussing over the dinner table - and for good reason: one-third of respondents said politics is typically the main reason for family arguments over the Christmas period. Longstanding family tensions (29%) and money (17%) were also significant contributing factors to family bickering. Additionally, 17% stated that taking games too seriously is the root cause of arguments over the holidays. There’s no rivalry like a sibling rivalry, so it seems: 5% of people said this is the main cause of their holiday arguments and lastly, 3% of people said their family tends to argue over the cooking! We have all been under a lot of stress the past couple years, so let’s take this study as a learning tool to avoid conflicts during this holiday season. Be mindful, be thankful and be sober. < Previous News Next News >

MODS Awarded Grant For Character Development Children - Building a Better World Together Permanent Exhibit to Open in 2026 December 25, 2024 Share The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) has been awarded a $2.5 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to advance the Museum’s commitment to fostering positive character development in children. The grant will support MODS’ efforts to cultivate essential character traits through its exhibits, programs and events. Central to this mission is the development of Building a Better World Together, a permanent exhibit designed to empower the next generation by integrating character development into the Museum’s offerings and inspiring young people to become confident, thoughtful leaders. MODS received the prestigious grant through Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums, a Lilly Endowment initiative that aims to help museums develop new or expand existing efforts that explore and encourage the development of positive character traits such as curiosity, empathy, compassion, integrity, kindness, teamwork, respect, responsibility, courage and community awareness in children. MODS is one of just 15 children’s museums around the nation being funded through the initiative. Slated to open in 2026, the 5,000-square-foot Building a Better World Together permanent exhibit will engage children and adults in a creative atmosphere that inspires innovative thinking and empowers them to make meaningful contributions to their families, communities and to the world around them. “At the core of Building a Better World Together is a powerful question: How can a child take meaningful action to address today’s challenges and build a better world?” said Joseph P. Cox, President and CEO of MODS. “We champion education, which fosters knowledge, capacity and character traits — essentials for 21st-century learning. We are deeply grateful for this grant, which will enable us to place character at the forefront of our efforts to inspire hope, spark innovative solutions and empower the next generation to shape a brighter future.” In 2022, MODS was designated as the Hub for Resilience Education by the Community Foundation of Broward, recognizing the Museum as a pivotal force in leading the community's conversation, education and action regarding sustainability and resilience. What sets this project apart is its focus on character development. Through extensive research and feedback from more than 1,500 Museum guests, educators, community partners and staff, MODS identified four foundational traits — critical thinking, caring, cooperation and confidence — as essential for empowering children to navigate challenges and act with purpose, rooted in hope. Building a Better World Together will be an immersive exhibit designed to inspire children of all ages to take meaningful action for a sustainable future. Highlights will include a digital theater exploring Florida’s past, present and future; live coral reef research station and an aquifer model showcasing conservation efforts; and a mangrove-themed climber that builds resilience and confidence. Interactive features like LEGO® Build the Change activities and a community pledge wall encourage teamwork, creativity and stewardship. Through age-appropriate activities, guests explore ecosystems, develop critical thinking and learn about the importance of caring for our planet. Cox added, “As children grow, their experiences and lessons evolve and they have the opportunity to gain deeper understanding and a greater capacity to contribute. This project goes beyond teaching facts; it inspires lifelong values and empowers them to make a positive impact on the world.” Building a Better World Together is only part of the Museum’s commitment to promote character development in children. The Museum’s intention is to cultivate character traits throughout its exhibits, programs and events. Key programs include the STEMobile, a mobile makerspace serving thousands of children annually, the Discovery Spot, an exhibit encouraging early learners and their families to explore the wonders of the Florida ecosystems, and leadership-building initiatives such as the EcoExplorers high school internship program. MODS is also introducing new resources, such as the 4C’s Family Resource Kit, to help parents nurture their children’s growth and establishing Character Corners at Broward County regional libraries to bring these values into the broader community. “Children’s museums are places where children of all ages can learn informally, discovering new ideas through play, multi-sensory experiences and self-expression,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s Vice President for education and youth programs. “We are excited to see how the museums funded through this initiative will help children and their families to explore various character traits and reflect together on ways these traits can be practiced and strengthened.” For more information, visit: https://mods.org . < Previous News Next News >

Mouthwatering Recipes to Beef Up the Holiday Menu Thu Dec 08 2022 17:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Planting Seeds Of The Divine - Torah Commentaries To Cultivate Your Spiritual Practice By https://jps.org Sep 18, 2025 Experiencing Deep Personal Fulfillment, Happiness, And Sustenance Comes From Feeling Connected To Our Authentic Selves, Which Involves Building An Ongoing Relationship With The Divine Presence Within Us, Says Author Yiscah Smith. Quite Organically, Then, We May Begin Sensing The Divine In Our Interactions With Other People. This Is Because, For Each Of Us, “Our Essence, As A Creation By God, Is God.” Planting Seeds of the Divine elucidates how Judaism’s sacred texts can provide the foundation for the “end destination” of experiencing intimate encounters with the Divine Presence within—the God-consciousness that so many of us find elusive. Imagining ourselves as spiritual gardeners, we can cultivate our unique gardens with seeds centered on middot (emotional dispositions, character traits, spiritual sensitivities). Each seed corresponds to an aspirational Torah commentary, consisting of a selected Torah verse linked to one of the middot, a summary of the biblical text preceding the verse, classical commentaries, teachings of Hasidic and Neo-Hasidic masters and the author, and step-by-step experiential practices to help us internalize the middot and encounter the Divine. Each seed contributes to the garden’s beauty—the beauty of the self in God-consciousness—which hopefully blossoms into a magnificent garden of the soul. Praise “Yiscah Smith has done a remarkable job of painting a wonderfully textured method of reading the Torah as a guide for spiritual development.”—Ariel Evan Mayse, Assistant Professor of religious studies at Stanford University and Co-Editor of A New Hasidism: Roots and A New Hasidism: Branches “An important contribution to this emerging school of Torah commentary that is smart and intellectually sophisticated while also embodied and psychologically and spiritually informed.”—Rabbi Josh Feigelson, President and CEO of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality “By offering readers a practical and powerful pathway to cultivate the Divine spark within, Smith creates a rich legacy of her own.”–Diane Gottlieb, editor of Awakenings: Stories of Body & Consciousness, for the Jewish Book Council Save 50% on orders of 10 or more copies of this title with code 6SEEDS50, visit: https://jps.org/books/planting-seeds-of-the-divine/ About The Author Yiscah Smith is a thought leader and spiritual activist committed to empowering and ennobling others in the spiritual practice of encountering the Divine spark within and beyond. She teaches Jewish contemplative practice and spiritual texts at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and for the online platform Applied Jewish Spirituality. She is the author of Forty Years in the Wilderness: My Journey to Authentic Living and founder of Conscious Community Nachlaot, an alternative prayer space in Jerusalem. Her Authentic Jewish Living with Yiscah podcast episodes are available on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Visit Yiscah Smith's website at: https://www.yiscahsmith.com/ Author Yiscah Smith Previous Next