Mothers Day

Dear Friends,

In Israel, there once were two Mother's Days. One in Haifa and one in the rest of the country. For a country that still doesn't have a head of state after four elections, having two Mother's Days sounds, well, predictable.

These days, Mother's Day has been replaced by Family Day in Israel. A 2006 Department of Education explains the change: “The division of roles in the family has changed and has become more egalitarian. Mothers are a significant economic factor in the family, and fathers share the relationship with the children from the stage of pregnancy and take a large part in their education and growth. These changes led to a change in the essence of the special day and its transformation from Mother’s Day to Family Day.”

I am usually very supportive of making things inclusive rather than divided by gender. Somehow, though, Mother's Day is different. I am not so sure that I would like Family Day instead of Mother's Day. It seems like a day just to celebrate mothers is a good thing. What do you think?

Shabbat shalom. And, Happy Mother's Day.

Rabbi Debbie Cohen


A Reading for Mother's Day

Through the generations, our collective mothers have struggled and sacrificed, celebrated and rejoiced, persevered and flourished and for this we are grateful. We thank them for all they have done and tried to do.

On this Mother’s Day, we think of all mothers, that they find strength, clarity, patience and love to be all that they can and want to be.

On this Mother’s Day, we think of those who are missing their mothers, mourning their absence or whose relationships are tinged with regret.

On this Mother's Day, we think of those mothers whose hearts are broken and who are missing their children.

On this Mother's Day, we offer support to those who are seeking to become mothers.

On this Mother's Day, we offer thanks to those whose love and care provides mothering throughout our community.

And may we all navigate our days with grace and love so that our Motherhood journeys will be counted for a blessing.

Adapted from Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder