Judy Gruen

by Judy Gruen

Dating my husband pushed me to challenge my views on Judaism and what it means to be a Jew.

by Judy Gruen

A mother's passing and a son's bar mitzvah create an emotional whirlwind when both run into each other.

by Judy Gruen

Think precious metals, and remember: I already have a Dustbuster.

by Judy Gruen

How to Cope with Yom Tov Eating.

by Judy Gruen

I had contingency plans for many emergencies likely to strike during my absence. But tiny disgusting insects congealing to my children's heads was one I hadn't figured on.

by Judy Gruen

My son's favorite experiment was "Which Jokes Are Most Likely to Make My Brother Laugh so Hard at the Dinner Table that Water Spurts Out His Nose?"

by Judy Gruen

The teen years are an age of contradictions -- for both mother and son.

by Judy Gruen

How I am spending their summer vacation.

by Judy Gruen

Suddenly, at the end of August, kids not only need new wardrobes, but also a list of school supplies longer than the federal tax code.

by Judy Gruen

I have never second-guessed my decision to be a stay-at-home mother, but getting the head and heart to merge has been tough.

by Judy Gruen

A dying father's words and blessings from the mikvah.

by Judy Gruen

Saving my family money at the Big Food-A-Plenty warehouse store.

by Judy Gruen

Living with Dad wasn't always easy, but it was easy to forgive him. He faced major professional disappointments and the most painful kind of personal tragedy. How could I judge him?

by Judy Gruen

This malady follows a case of Pre-Bar Mitzvah Stress Disorder, characterized by bursting into tears with no warning because your little boy has the audacity to catapult into puberty before your very eyes.

by Judy Gruen

It's astounding that kids in the throes of acne, who can't even remember to close a refrigerator door, are deemed responsible enough to drive.

by Judy Gruen

There is no inoculation for parental separation anxiety.

by Judy Gruen

The Shabbat of Unity allowed me to get out of my own bubble and connect to Jews different than me.

by Judy Gruen

On the strategic benefits of finding a husband at college.

by Judy Gruen

Thoughts on lighting the 20th yartzeit candle.

by Judy Gruen

Baruch Cohen knows the art of the fight.

by Judy Gruen

Honoring a vivacious life tragically cut short.

by Judy Gruen

Old is not ugly. Looking like a mask of your former self is ugly.

by Judy Gruen

Nearly 2.5 million Christian Americans are defending Israel. They call themselves part of the “goyim underground.”

by Judy Gruen

My chances of finding my special pendant in the enormous mall were about as good as my winning the Pulitzer Prize.

by Judy Gruen

At the equivalent of 105 in human years, our dog’s time had come. I miss him.

by Judy Gruen

It’s not enough for Jews to consider themselves the “Chosen people;” we also need to be the choosing people.

by Judy Gruen

Is it sexist or sane policy to insist a third-party come along when a female reporter wants to interview a male candidate on the campaign trail?

by Judy Gruen

The day you were born is the day God declared that the world cannot exist without you.

by Judy Gruen

Yitskhok Rudashevski’s stunning journal becomes an interactive, online museum exhibit.

by Judy Gruen

Violent anti-Israel activists beat Jews outside of a shul and roam the Pico-Robertson neighborhood threatening Jews. The mayor and city leaders vow to make our community safer. Will they?

by Judy Gruen

My lifelong dream to become a writer hasn’t made me rich or famous, but it has taught me invaluable lessons about building a career and a meaningful life.

by Judy Gruen

Research shows that stable marriages offer a proven path to happiness, intimacy and well-being.

by Judy Gruen

The battle against the Nazis relied on machinery, manpower, money, and even a bit of magic.

by Judy Gruen

Why a group of Holocaust survivors are asking, “Is this lipstick color good for me?”

by Judy Gruen

How to improve the world and ourselves through channeling our power of speech for the good.

by Judy Gruen

A frank conversation about suffering with Gershon Schusterman, a rabbi who suddenly became a widower with 11 children at age 38.

by Judy Gruen

Despite WWII-era fascist laws barring Jews from society, Rita Levi-Montalcini, a brilliant scientist, conducted pioneering experiments in her bedroom.

by Judy Gruen

A new study conclusively shows multiple benefits of a faith-based life to working-class adolescents – particularly males.

by Judy Gruen

An indictment of the “Wild West” atmosphere of social media and the price we all pay for it.

by Judy Gruen

A century after it was originally published, the authentic story of Bambi as a parable of antisemitism is coming to light.

by Judy Gruen

New book from The Layers Project breaks taboos and stigmas.

by Judy Gruen

Michal Oshman's new book asks, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”

by Judy Gruen

The first intermarriage in Becky Bordo's family launches her journey to explore her Jewish identity.

by Judy Gruen

The most famous Orthodox family on TV deals with intense new dramas, welcomes new family members, and grieves over losses.

by Judy Gruen

Dorothy Melvin's life was upended by a shocking phone call.

by Judy Gruen

Former Big Tech insiders reveal what made them turn against the powerful platforms they helped create and promote.

by Judy Gruen

No, I didn’t say COVID, I said a COLD.

by Judy Gruen

Public-private security coordination is the name of the game in today’s new reality. Bringing good food helps, too.

by Judy Gruen

Despite her degenerative and debilitating illness, Kaila Hollander’ remarkable joy inspired an entire community.

by Judy Gruen

Quarantine has reminded us that our lives are measured not so much by what we sell or build, but by what we give of ourselves to family, friends, and community.