My mother whom I love dearly has continually revised my life story within the context of a complicated family history that includes more than the usual share of divorce step-children dysfunction and obfuscation. I've spent most of my adult life attempting to deconstruct that history and separate fact from fiction.
To be Jewish is to be specifically identified with a history. And if you're not aware of that when you're a child the whole tradition is lost.
Throughout history no one has suffered more than God. He has suffered because his own children fell away from him. Ever since the Fall God has been working tirelessly for the restoration of mankind. People do not know this brokenhearted aspect of God.
We also have to make sure our children know the history of women. Tell them the rotten truth: It wasn't always possible for women to become doctors or managers or insurance people. Let them be armed with a true picture of the way we want it to be.
We can't understand when we're pregnant or when our siblings are expecting how profound it is to have a shared history with a younger generation: blood genes humor. It means we were actually here on Earth for a time - like the Egyptians with their pyramids only with children.
This is the greatest society in all of human history the greatest country ever. Many of the decisions being made in Washington today by both parties are threatening that greatness. And if we stay on this road we're on right now our children are going to be the first Americans ever to inherit a diminished country.
We wonder if we will be the first generation in American history to leave our children with fewer opportunities and a less prosperous nation than the one we inherited.
Generally speaking historically in this country the care of a child has been thought of as female business.
What is sad for women of my generation is that they weren't supposed to work if they had families. What were they going to do when the children are grown - watch the raindrops coming down the window pane?
Well there are about 10 million children that aren't covered by health insurance. About 3 million qualify for Medicaid but don't get it so we're going to reach out and bring more of those kids into the Medicaid program.