By Heather Friedman Rivera, Ph.D.

I’d like to kick off a new feature on our website: Jewish Joy Corner — a space for us to share our personal stories of Jewish joy.

Since October 7, 2023, many of us have carried an extra layer of stress and heartache. I’ll admit I’ve been guilty of doom-scrolling, especially on social media. That’s part of what inspired this project — to help create a little more balance in what we take in and share.

Let’s lift each other up through the power of joy. I want to hear your cherished childhood memories with your bubbe or other beloved family members. Share your favorite Jewish recipes, tell us a funny story from your bar or bat mitzvah, or recount a meaningful Jewish experience. This is your space, and I hope you’ll let your light shine here.

I plan to post monthly, so if you have something to share, please email me at president@konabethshalom.org. We’d be honored to feature your story.

Here’s one of mine to get this blog started.

Many days, my heart drifts back to my grandma’s kitchen — watching, helping, and of course, sampling whatever she was cooking. She’s been gone for over twenty years, but her presence still feels strong in my heart and memory.
My sister and I saw her almost daily; she lived close to both our home and school and was such a central part of our childhood. Her brisket was legendary, her honey cake divine — honestly, everything she made was delicious. But there are certain dishes I especially miss, the kind no one else’s version quite measures up to.
She always made two batches of matzo balls: one light and fluffy, the other dense and chewy. I always went for the dense ones.
When I was young, I sometimes got confused at school because Grandma blended Yiddish into her English sentences. I didn’t realize those special words weren’t “standard English” until they confused my classmates.
One memory that always makes me laugh: she’d challenge my sister and me to see how fast we could finish our ice cream cones. “You’re too slow!” she’d tease as she finished hers first, grinning from ear to ear.
She was the perfect grandmother to us. I miss her dearly, and I carry her lessons and love with me always.
May her memory be a blessing.