One of the most important ways we can leave a legacy for our loved ones is by drafting the appropriate testamentary documents. An individual can designate who should receive his or her assets when he/she dies by signing a Last Will and Testament and making specific “bequests,” or gifts, therein. When an individual dies, the will must be admitted to the court for approval before the assets can be distributed.  This process is called “probate.”  The Court “proves” the will and ensures that everything was done properly. 

What went wrong at this year’s “A Different Pesach Program” and who saved the day? Last year, Ben Atkin, the owner of A Different Pesach Program, ran two Pesach programs. This year, he combined the two into one and planned to have 1,000 guests. He hired an operations manager so he would not need to be on site. Ben put deposits on 120 homes, advertised extensively, and, as Pesach grew near, he was in the unenviable position of having about only half the guests he expected and a fraction of what he had last year. The reservations he was expecting just did not come through in the numbers he expected. Financially, the program was no longer feasible but it was also very late to cancel. Where would his guests go? Many were flying in and had already purchased tickets. Some money was already lost on canceling homes that were not needed, advertising dollars could not be recouped, and food was already being prepared by the truckload. All of the homes were paid for, except about $900 was still due on each of 11 homes.

The Jewish religion has commonly accepted divorce as a fact of life, even if it is a very unfortunate one. The Jewish community generally maintains that Shalom Bayit, domestic peace and harmony, is the most desirable state, and it’s better for a couple to divorce than to remain together in a state of bitterness and strife.

Dear Alice,

 You may have addressed this already, as it is a common problem, but maybe discussing it again will help me and others like me. I start off every day so well. I am determined to lose weight and eat my breakfast, lunch, and snacks carefully and on plan. When it comes to dinner, however, I mess the whole thing up. I don’t have time to prepare my own dinner, so I end up eating whatever I made for the kids. I tell myself that I will just have a portion-controlled amount, but I end up eating more dinner than I planned. Then I sabotage the rest of the night because I am exhausted, stressed, and upset that I messed up my diet by dinner. How do I end this vicious cycle?