Other Sites Where My Stories Have Appeared

Invoking Marla
Published on the Aish.com website on August 5, 2004

Am I cheapening Marla's memory by using her death to teach a point about living?

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In Israel, a Relative State of Calm...For Now
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on July 29, 2004

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Cycle of Quiet
Published by Israel21c on July 11, 2003

Contemplating a trip to Israel is no longer so overwhelming and frightening.

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No Wilderness in Sight, but Camping in Israel Still Pretty Wild
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on June 25, 2004

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FIRST PERSON. On Independence Day, Father Fights against Fear — and Shaving Cream
Published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on April 20, 2004

A small Independence Day battle.

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This story also appeared in the following newspapers:
- Virtual Jerusalem - click here to read.
- Chicago Jewish Community Online - click here to read
- Dallas Jewish Week - click here to read
- "J" - Jewish News Weekly - click here to read

Passover in Israel is an Entirely Different Bag o’ Beans
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on April 2, 2004

What’s the difference between celebrating Passover in Israel and the U.S.? According to Brian Blum, it’s a big one. Is it more meaningful to celebrate in the land of Milk and Honey?

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The Jacuzzi Loop
Published on JewishFamily.com on February 28, 2004

If one is not mindful, daily life in Israel can become filled with “what-ifs,” reports Brian Blum.

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Bumping Into the Wrong Bus in Jerusalem
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on February 27, 2004

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Mmm...Crunchy
Published on JewishFamily.com on January 21, 2004

Cholent is a tried and true recipe in many Jewish homes. But ‘s a cook to do when some uninvited guests make their way to the kitchen?

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Cold Turkey
Published on the Aish.com website on February 11, 2004

After some bouts of panic, a family decides to kick the TV habit.

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An Earthquake in Israel — What’s Next, Frogs?
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on February 13, 2004

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FIRST PERSON. A Bomb? A Plane Crash? An Invasion? Thank God — It’s Only an Earthquake
Published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on February 11, 2004

A former Californian takes stock of an earthquake in Israel that was a distraction from daily terror alerts.

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Also appeared on the Virtual Jerusalem website - click here to read.

When Joy and Sorrow Collide
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on February 6, 2004

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Pick up the Phone
Published on the Aish.com website on January 18, 2004

I hadn't thought much of Michael in the last three years. Until a few weeks ago when I heard that he had died of a sudden heart attack.

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At the Camp Drop Zone
Published on the Jewish Western Bulletin (Vancouver) website on January 16, 2004

A kid's nightmare ? the overly demonstrative parent.

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The World as We See It: Spinning the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Every Which Way
Published on the American Press Institute website on January 14, 2004

Alan Abbey provides a summary of Israel-oriented websites and includes a mention of This Normal Life.

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Krispy Kremes vs. the Traditional Chanukah Jelly Donut
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on December 22, 2003

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Israeli or American? A Transplant Wrestles with Temptation after a Carefree California Summer
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on November 14, 2003

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The Schmooze Factor
Published by Israel21c on October 27, 2003

Making sure you get your priorities right in a new synagogue.

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Jody's Breasts
Published on JewishFamily.com on October 21, 2003

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we present Brian Blum's story of his wife Jody's first mammogram.

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Yom Kippur Groupies: Services Like You've Never Heard Them
Published in the Hagshama-WZO Website on October 1, 2003

Ebn mixes Israeli pop tunes, snatches of reggae, classic folk (Greensleeves is a favorite), Sefardi nigunim, the best of Carlebach of course, and urban rap.

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Yom Kippur is a Blast and Our Leader is its First True Rock Star
Published on the "J" - Jewish News Weekly website on September 26, 2003

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FIRST PERSON. After Terror, Israelis Move On Because They Have No Choice
Published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on September 18, 2003

Brian Blum discusses how he and other Israelis deal with terror attacks as part of their lives ? finally realizing that they cope because they have no other choice.

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FIRST PERSON. The Story of a Terrorist Attack in Israel: Chaos and Normal Life Again in Jerusalem
Published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on September 12, 2003

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Making the News
Published on the birthright israel website on August 14, 2003

Sometimes the journalistic penchant for even-handedness becomes just plain obscene.

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A Hogwarts Bar Mitzvah Could Diversify Potter Series
Published in the Northern California Jewish Bulletin on June 20, 2003

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Bar Mitzvah at Hogwarts
Published on JewishFamily.com on June 20, 2003

On your way out to buy the new Harry Potter book? Read about Dobby's Bar Mitzvah here first.

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Dancing with the Snakefish: Celebration and Mourning in Jerusalem
Published in the Hagshama-WZO Website on June 10, 2003

A free concert was recently held in memory of the two American students killed at Hebrew University. Blum explores the seemingly incongruity of the event.

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Scouting the Normal Life
Published in the Friends of Israel Scouts on June 1, 2003

Growing up, these weren't words I would ever have imagined using in the same sentence. It's not that I have anything against the Scouts. It was just that I never seemed to fit into those institutions that were so much of the American mainstream. I always preferred playing the rebel. I had my own drum to beat.

Click here to read the story.

Also published in Israel21c. Click here to read the story.

Verifiably Single
Published in the Oberlin Alumni Magazine on May 18, 2003

At the airport they are looking for terrorists. The rabbi is looking for a liar.

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Scouting the Normal Life
Published by Israel21c on May 18, 2003

Israeli campsites are dripping with history and symbolism.

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Running the Land of Israel
Published on JewishFamily.com on May 15, 2003

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It's a 'Blog' World
Published by Israel21c on April 27, 2003

Allison Kaplan Sommer reviews Israeli 'blogs' - including This Normal Life

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For Sephardim, No Need to Pass Over Sushi at Pesach
Published by The Northern California Jewish Bulletin on April 11, 2003

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Passover the Sushi
Published by JewishFamily.com on April 9, 2003

Writer Brian Blum takes a look at some of the differences between how Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews approach Passover.

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I Worry About My Single Friends on Valentine's Day
Published by The Northern California Jewish Bulletin on February 14, 2003

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Saying a Special Sh'ma
Published by JewishFamily.com on February 9, 2003

Brian Blum shares his families? reflections on the Columbia tragedy and looks at why a communal response is so important to recovery from trauma.

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A Tragic 'Where Were You When' Moment for Israelis
Published by The Northern California Jewish Bulletin on February 7, 2003

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Changing with the Times
Published on Jewish News of Greater Phoenix on January 31, 2003

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Immigrant from US Finds That Voting Highlights the Significance of Home
Published on JTA on January 28, 2003

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A Matter of Life and Death
Published on israel21c.com on January 26, 2003

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Wired Life: Web Offers Wide World of Alternative Opinions
Published on The Sacramento Bee, January 16, 2003 Issue

David Hoye's article mentions "This Normal Life" in a round up of blogs from the Middle East.

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Ode to a Friend
Published on The Source: Israel Info-Access Magazine, July-August, 2002 Issue

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Multimodality: The Key to a Richer Mobile Experience
Published on Wireless Future Magazine, March, 2002 Issue

Not about Israel at all, here's a story I wrote about "multimodality."

Click here to read the story.