Together. We are Pressman.

My father just celebrated his 92nd birthday this past Thursday. Until two years ago, he still did what he loves best: work. For the past forty years he has been practicing law, first in an office in Tel Aviv and then in an office at home. As a child, I remember my Aba always in his office at the back of the house. Writing fiercely, sorting papers into files and piling them into what looked like towers on his big wooden desk. He was always working. Only during meals, my mother would make him stop and join the family. We would eat and talk and laugh, but the moment the meal was done he was gone again. Now that the majority of us are home all day long, I can’t help but wonder about my own role as an Aba. The shift to distance learning was rapid and demanding. Learning new technology, creating new schedules and structures, and supporting our teachers, students and families in adjusting to this new reality. That’s a lot of work! My son is knocking on my door again. He cracks the door open a...

I am a person who thrives on order, structure and routines. I work hard to be organized and, though I have actively worked on becoming more flexible over the past decade, it is still not easy for me when things do not go as I have carefully planned them. So I have struggled in the past couple of weeks as my life, like all of yours, headed down a completely new and unexpected path of school closures and social distancing. But I have also discovered something fascinating - that is, that I have embraced preparing for Passover.  Most years I feel overwhelmed by Passover preparations, stressed about how I can get all of that done while still working all my usual hours. This year, though, it is the routine, and the familiar rhythm, of those preparations that are bringing me a feeling of safety and security during a time that might otherwise feel chaotic and unmanageable.  I imagine that many of you, and maybe your children, are experiencing your lives as chaotic and unpredict...