Fran Ostendorf

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I spent a beautiful and enriching weekend in Connecticut recently, kvelling as my niece led a full congregation in worship as a Bat Mitzvah. No matter that Rosie is 15, the rabbi told us. She had … more

Fran Ostendorf | 5/6/22

Celebrating freedom … with an eye on the news

Much is going on in the world around us. And in this issue of Jewish Rhode Island, which focuses on Passover and celebrates freedom, I can’t help but look at what’s happening in the world … more

Fran Ostendorf | 4/1/22

Helping our brethren in Ukraine

Like many of you, I have been glued to coverage of the war in Ukraine – in print, online and on TV. Yes, I have my favorite media outlets. But I tend to flip from one to another during this … more

Fran Ostendorf | 3/6/22

Keep up with those connections

As I sit down to write this column, Rhode Island is in the midst of a blizzard, the first in a number of years. The pre-storm hype had whipped our friends and neighbors into a frenzy. Grocery … more

Fran Ostendorf | 2/6/22

Launching into an exciting 2022

Putting together the January newspaper presents a time to look back and think ahead. What a year it was. What a year we hope it will be! In 2021, we had a roller-coaster of ups and downs. That new … more

Fran Ostendorf | 1/10/22

Which team are you on?

Have you listened to the first podcasts from Jewish Rhody Media? It’s a terrific series on leadership called Chutzpah! There’s a new episode every other Thursday, featuring Adam Greenman, … more

Fran Ostendorf | 12/4/21

A tribute to a much-loved tree

There will be no more weeping for the willow in my backyard. Sometime in the wee hours of a recent Wednesday morning, what was left of the once majestic, multi-trunk tree came crashing down. No … more

Fran Ostendorf | 11/7/21

Ramblings on the times of our lives

Life is in transition again. Nature is doing its annual shift from long, hot summer days to dark, cool fall evenings. As I write this, our backyard is showing a scattering of yellow and brown … more

Fran Ostendorf | 10/9/21

New year, new thought: Let’s embrace what’s good right now

Sometimes, when I sit down to write this column, I stare at a blank page on my computer screen and I wonder where to begin. My aim isn’t to be scholarly or to impart wisdom based on years of … more

Fran Ostendorf | 9/6/21

Precious memories, neatly boxed

I had time for some real moments of reflection this month as I rooted through a couple of boxes in my parents’ basement. They have lived in the same house since the mid-1960s and, as you can … more

Fran Ostendorf | 8/5/21