Resources to find #funthingstodowhilesocialdistancing

As I was putting the final touches on this blogpost to publish later today, Massachusetts Governor Baker has just issued an Emergency Order for non-essential workers to Stay In Place effective noon tomorrow through April 7.  It is now more timely than expected and is something I have been working on over the past week just in case this occurred.  

As most of my clients and friends know I like to be proactive. When I grew up my parents would not let me go out with friends until I finished my chores.  Thus I was always ahead of the game with getting them done.   In addition, I was a Girl Scout leader and raised 3 kids which also explains my motto of always being prepared.   I have recently been putting these skills to use while exploring all modes of life one can do from their socially distanced space.  I have prepared this information below. 

Please note: This list is for #funthingstodowhilesocialdistancing and does not include any COVID health resources.  These are best available from your local Community Health organizations. I will add to this as I learn of more ideas but this is compiled over the past week and should cover most bases.  

Errands done from home to save and free up your time
  
Online food delivery-they will personally shop and deliver ShipT,  Instacart you can have curbside pick up or delivery RocheBros. Some of these services are on overload and may not have easy delivery slots. 
Need a new book, puzzle or game- you can order these online and either pick up outside the store or have delivered for fee Indépendant bookstores-Wellesley Book Store

No need to go to the Post Office just set up online-  Stamps.com

Need dog/pet food you can order online Chewy.com 

Entertainment/Movies to watch:
Instead of going to live theater check this Globe article for online resources Watching Theater
Also for live streamed music/concerts check here
Love Music Festivals- check these out
 www.stayathomefestival.com; or on Instagram at @stayathomefestival. 

Virtual Travel:
Instead of traveling to a real destination you can stream a movie and then go on tour to the film's location.  check this article
Its cherry blossom time and instead of going to Washington DC this spring you can see them here.

Socialize/Meetings:
Facebook-stay connected but beware of fake ads etc,  I would try to use other tools as much as possible as do not trust potential exploitation from them.  Look at tools such as Zoom and Facetime-you can have actual group meetings -try a lunch date with friends, happy hour, bookclub.

Exercise:
Yoga apps such as Yoga Studio
Meditation such as Buddify 
5 at home workouts featured in the WSJ
Train for a virtual 5K with Prevention Magazine
Join Gretchen Rubin 20on20 Walk Group

Inspirational / Spiritual:
Gretchen Rubin-daily Instagram chats at 4pm
check your local synagogue/church for streaming of services

Kids/family activities:
Listen to stories and do related projects from children's author Kate Messner through her site Read, Wonder and Learn
For some online and new Game ideas
How about making a photo book online?  You can create one and go through old photos on one of the apps such as Snapfish
Keep your kids engaged on current events with free NYI weekly news quiz -maybe reward them if score well



Culture:
Online virtual exhibit at the Reggie Lewis Museum Click here for a link to an exhibit donated by my family.  (Stearns collection)
Virtual Shakespeare
Google has partnered with Art Museums worldwide that you can visit virtually on a site called Google: Arts & Culture
Boca Raton Arts Museum has a program for kids called Keep Kids Smart with Art
See a virtual art exhibit hosted by The Cotuit Center for the Arts called BLUES
Classical Music lover here's the BSO online

Outdoor activities:
Places to go around Boston
Neighborhood walk
Drive around and look at architecture/old houses

Spring Cleaning and Home Maintenance:
For the practical or one who enjoys doing things around the house how about getting an early start so you have more time to play.
This is a great time to declutter, clean and get your home ready for spring. I have prepared a Home Maintenance checklist and am happy to send you a copy if you email me: wendy.bornstein@nemoves.com.

I continually am posting new ideas on my Facebook page @wendybcb (Wendy Bornstein Coldwell Banker Needham) and use the #funthingstodowhilesocialdistancing.  I invite you to visit and like this page.  Please feel free to share any new suggestions there or below in the comments section as well.  Thank you and stay healthy.  We are all in this together.  

A Mini Retreat in Your Socially Distanced Home

What are your plans this weekend?  What would you have said three weeks ago if you were given the opportunity for a quick getaway where the only thing you had to do was nothing ie:  no carpooling or errands to do.  You are offered a time to just relax and spend time by yourself ( if self-quarantined) or with loved ones in a private location without distractions.  

Fast forward to today.  We are all stuck in our homes and social distancing.  Each day can look like the next without any break in routine.   No matter your religion either Saturday or Sunday is shabbat, a day of rest and a time to break away from the monotony of everyday and spend some time toward inward thinking.  

My proposal is to set the stage for this same overnight retreat in your head.  You will spend Saturday in an isolated cabin away from it all.  To truly enjoy this experience you need to prepare ahead of time.

 Suggested items to have available include:

- an exercise mat and some work out clothing.  
- a reading device or media to be able to watch local movie releases on demand.  
- favorite toiletries 
- comfortable fun clothing and a dress up dinner outfit
-2 to 3 bottles of wine
-a prepared home cooked dinner

Take some time to pamper yourself. The rules are to keep the news off, put your phone away except for emergencies and resist social media.  

Its time to leave all your work and negativity behind.  

Here is a proposed itinerary but you have the choice to make it your own.  The only suggestion is to break away from the routine you had all week. 
Saturday afternoon-If its nice out you may go for a walk around your block and then come inside and either read or maybe do a puzzle. 

May be do a mediation app or just listen to some nice music.  

In late afternoon you are a bit hungry and can have a healthy protein snack of cheese and nuts while preparing a nice Italian feast for dinner.  

Saturday pm-Prepare a nice home cooked dinner,  Pour some wine and enjoy the candlelight ambience.  After dinner you retreat to a comfortable couch to watch a first run movie on demand or stream a show you haven't had time to see.  


Sunday am-Do an online yoga class.  After the class you will treat yourself to a self spa day.  You can take a long shower or bath, smell incense,  polish your nails, and give yourself a facial. 

Sunday early afternoon- have a nice brunch!!

Hope you are inspired to get away.  Our imaginations can make our reality a positive and fun experience.  I am trying to use mine to think outside the box.  Shabbat Shalom.  

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham who loves blogging, reading, walking her dog and thinking outside the box to make the world a better place. 

The world of reading at the tip of your fingers

As most of my blog readers and friends know I love to read.  I enjoy all types of book and find that a really good novel can be almost like a mini vacation transporting me from everyday life to a th expanded outside world.  As many need to shelter in place or social distance this is a great way to broaden your horizons.   For those who also share the love of reading or may want to learn how to have better access to reading materials please read below:

I just participated in a motivational Instagram group chat hosted by  Gretchen Rubin.  For those unfamiliar with her she is a great resource and authored The Happiness Project and Outer Order, Inner Calm as well as several other books.  I have read many and subscribe to her daily podcast and newsletter.  During the chat, she launched a virtual book club for the listeners and suggested reading  Love, Loss and What I Wore by Ilene Beckman.   The first date of this bookclub will be April 1.   It was recommended to buy the book at a local bookshop.   She reminded listeners that due to the COVID crisis many small businesses will be forced to close their doors and it important to do our part to help them stay in business.  

Coincidentally this morning I got an email from one of my favorite local brick and mortar bookstores, WellesleyBooks  informing customers that they were temporarily closing but would have online ordering available with easy pickup or mail delivery.  (Likewise in today's Boston Globe there was an article siting area Indie bookstores also offering curbside pickup and delivery.) I went to their website for more information and noted that their monthly lunchtime book club (April 6 which is canceled) featured the book Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver .  After reading about the book description I was inspired to start a virtual bookclub with my Next-door online neighbors.  Since my local bookclub isn't launched yet I went ahead and ordered the Beckman book for now so I can read it by April 1.  

I read both physical and online books.  I always keep a book on my kindle and on my phone kindle app as sometimes I am stuck somewhere and have wait time to read. I am fortunate to have local bookstores near me and often try to buy my physical books through them vs Amazon.  

For those who do not have local bookstores nearby or just prefer to read on a device I thought I would share online ways to read books.  - here are some great apps you can download.

Bookshout, Kindle and Books are apps where you can purchase content.

The Overdrive app connects you with your library to be able to borrow downloadable books.

Libby is the platform the borrowed books can be accessed on as well as various reading apps.

Goodreads is an app building a community of readers where you can make book recommendations and share books you have read.

Lastly we all have books sitting on our shelves at home.  Now is a good time to clean your home and get organized.  Chances are you will find books you forgot you had or never got around to reading.   

No matter the source of your reading materials there are so many books to read.  Think outside your box and try a new genre such as  fiction, non-fiction, professional development , educational material for students, spiritual and motivational books and much more that you haven't had time to read before!! Be an explorer from the socially distanced book resource at the tip of your fingers.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  Like the books she reads, she is only a click away if you have any questions about your local real estate market during this time period.  

ReCLUTTERing our Decluttering by Panic Shopping

I have written several posts about decluttering and downsizing and through most of my posts have tried to un-cover methods to get rid of things we don't need.  As the outbreak of COVID-19 is threatening pandemic proportions I am seeing the antithesis of this behavior and now have a greater appreciation for the hoarding mentality.  See BBC article on the psychology of panic buying here.  (It is my understanding that if exposed to COVID it is recommended to self quarantine for 14 days.)

There is something innate to our behavior that can make us become hoarders.  Can't we agree it is comforting to surround ourselves with a stocked pantry of favorite foods?  Our inner survival instincts drive us to buy in excess in fear of potential shortages.

Lines at the supermarkets and big chain warehouses have been out the doors.  There are shortages of hand sanitizer and cleaning products as people buy whatever is remaining.  This is creating a huge shopping frenzy as noted in Fortune Magazine here.  I am guilty of this too and have thus stocked up on non-perishables that could exceed a good 30 days.  I bought extra vanilla extract and chocolate chips yesterday in case I need to bake emergency toll house cookies.  I am also well supplied on paper goods but do we really need a that much toilet paper? (see Forbe's Magazine  )  Although comforted and well positioned I have recluttered my cabinets with things I don't necessarily need.  One does have to ask.......did the risk of buying three months worth of toilet paper at Costco outweigh the chance of exposure to a COVID carrier?  I guess I won't know this until 14 days pass and I still remain healthy.  (See added link re : Toilet paper stockpiling)

Consumers are irrationally stocking up on things they probably don't really need in fear of it not being available.  Once COVID passes will we realize we overbought and need to start the declutter process again?  At a recent meeting last week with a social worker, she suggested we all slow down a bit and take a deep breath.  She recommended I buy an app called Buddify and when I feel a major impulse or impending stress to take a walk or do a 5 minute guided meditation.  Perhaps we all need to do this and stay calm.  Perhaps we get a quick adrenaline rush of comfort by overbuying things we may already have adequate supply of.  

Like other viruses and health issues COVID will too come and go.  Most of us will be fine if we take the recommended health precautions.  Let's all calm down a bit and think rationally when out shopping.  Take inventory of what you really do need in at home in case you are quarantined.  But don't overdo it.  I came home from my Costco run only to realize I already had 3 boxes of Post Raisin Bran after buying a new box while there.

As one who has shared posts about declutting perhaps we need to remember that today's impulse buying may be tomorrows clutter.  There are shortages of things for no reason.  There are others who may really need some help with their food supplies.  If you realize you have excess that is not needed please remember its always welcome to donate to a local food pantry and to help those in need.  
                               

Wendy is a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys writing, talking and helping people by sharing her unique insights into the local area around her.  

Is an inheritance actually the cherished gift as intended or a burden to the beneficiary?

Passing down property assets to the next generation always starts with well meaning intentions. Parents and grandparents often want to pass their cars, collectible tangible property and sometimes real property to their heirs. While it sounds exciting and wonderful, though, often there is a burden to fulfilling this wish.  

Before setting anything in stone, in a perfect world the owner of such assets should ideally discuss the practicality of intentions with the intended recipient before finalizing their estate plan.  Often though this can become emotional and there may be different goals for each party.  If the gift is supposed to truly benefit the recipient it is in the best interest however to be sure the recipient a) wants the intended gift and b) has the resources to maintain the assets  required to retain value.  I also think it is important to meet with an Estate planner/lawyer to create a plan that will be easily passed onto future beneficiaries.   This professional may be more objective and help guide sometimes difficult conversations.  

When my Dad passed away in 2013 his dream was to give his 2008 Lincoln Town car to my son (then 24 years old).  He lived in Brooklyn New York.  My parents housed the car in Tarpon Springs Florida and it had never been north.  First of all how many 24 years old would be seen driving a Town Car around NYC?  The car needed to be winterized and parking in NY is near impossible even with a compact size.  The cost to garage the car in NY would be prohibitive and even alternatively keeping it in Massachusetts where I live would be over $2000 month,  added to insurance costs to keep it running periodically. Although my son was hesitant to turn down such a gift from his deceased Grandfather, we quickly learned the gift would in fact actually become a short lived memory with a longer experienced financial burden.  Ultimately we ended up selling the car and giving my son the proceeds and the retired license plate as a token memory.  (of note,  my Dad was a teacher of Jewish History and often spoke of the story of Masada as his inspiration of standing tall against oppression- thus his customized license plate lives on in our family).  

Likewise my Dad collected tens of thousands of books and antiquities in Florida that were near impossible to relocate to Boston where we live.  We tried selling and donating many of these items.  It took close to 2 years to downsize and clean up a large portion of items that we could not possibly store.  We thought briefly about keeping the condominium they owed and retrospectively could have kept it as an investment but found it easier to sell since my brother and lived out of state.

I often hear clients who own multiple properties such as a beach or mountains home say that they would like to keep them in the family.  While all sounds good,  one needs to step back and really consider the practicality.  Often kids live far away and visit infrequently.  They have their own local areas to vacation.  Remote property management is costly.  There was a great article in this weeks WSJ addressing this topic which you can read here.

I have read many books on downsizing and preparing for final moves as we age.  A few good books on the subject include:  

Moving in the Right Direction by Bruce Nemovitz-click here
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson-click here

If you do decide to retain a real estate property you may want to look at opportunities to form a 1031 exchange which is a tax vehicle to make the property an investment option. There are certain time period requirements on the acquisition and disposal of a qualified property and although, I am not an expert on this area I do work with specialists who are.  They can help guide you on the legal and financing end, while I can help with any real estate needs.  

The key take away from this blog post is the importance of having a plan and having it documented while you are able to make decisions that are practical and will actually benefit your beneficiaries.  While we may perceive gifting tangible items to our loved ones,  remember they are your loved ones and you want to look out for their best interest although sometimes this may conflict with your own expectations. 

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys working with senior clients. Having gone through the process of downsizing and being on the beneficiary end of the cycle a few times and has learned much and is happy to share her knowledge. She can be found at www.wendybcb.com.

E Coli risk and the inherent health risks we face today including Coronavirus

I am a salad lover.  Up until last week I would always choose a salad over a sandwich or other appetizer when eating out.   I recently read an article about E Coli risks and have thus been researching this subject since there have been multiple outbreaks.  From what I have learned I thought it important to share my data.

We hear the touts of deregulation helping our economy and how the economy is booming.  Just listen to the SOTU last night as an example but in realty there are many ways that deregulation is creating increased day to day risks for our well being.  I am not here to talk policy but just to highlight a few health concerns that should alarm all of us.

Periodically there have been recent E Coli outbreaks.  Some can cause irreversible health issues and even kidney failure or death.  The risk can be quite dangerous.  One common thread in some of the literature I have read is that due to deregulation there are less inspectors to insure higher safety precautions before lettuce is brought to market.  As illustrated in a photo below there are three points where contamination can occur in the process of growing lettuce to its delivery to the consumer.  This may also be true in other products but I am focusing on lettuce here.  As a consumer it is up to each of us to be educated on what we eat,  what we consume and how to be our own advocates.   It is becoming increasing clear that each person is out for himself.   It is important to wash and if possible cook produce to kill any infectants.   A few articles below site the cause of these breakouts, how to prevent them and how to mitigate exposure.

-Don't eat romaine lettuce - a warning in a December article during an E Coli breakout is here

-An explanation of the role in deregulation in causing E Coli outbreaks is here

-Methods to mitigate ones risk in today's Boston Globe is here

-Untimely communication of potential risk by CDC and FDA increased our risk click here

As for other health concerns such as coronavirus,  I have heard mixed reviews about wearing masks to limit exposure.  One health professional today said the risks to the American public warrant the same procedures one would take with a flu outbreak.  If you saw the movie Contagion a few years ago you will understand why I am writing this blog post.  If you have hypercondriac tendencies like I do you may not want to watch it.  I keep having images echoing in my head that these outbreaks occur and the public not being adequately informed before becoming pandemic.

update 2/6 Attached is an up-to-date link to a map of the Coronovirus outbreak from today's NYT.

There are many health risks we can not avoid and some where we can use common sense to mitigate danger.  My advice is to be your own advocate, wash your hands frequently and if in places where you feel there are major crowds perhaps wearing a mask is a good idea.  I still love salads and wish I could order these whenever I go out to eat.  I will now, however,  only consume cooked vegetables when available if I am not absolutely sure of the sourcing.  I hope this can change in the future.  Lets all work together to stay healthy and minimize public risk.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys helping people and writing her blog to share perspectives on how to make the world a better place.

The Relevance of Childhood Fables and Stories - The Emperor's New Clothes

                                          

How many remember the bedtime stories you listened to while growing up?  

I vividly remember a few including The Three Little Pigs and The Emperor’s New Clothes.  Both of these teach life long lessons that have laid foundations for me, personally.  Perhaps both my profession as a Realtor and marriage to an engineer have solidified the importance of building a strong foundation to whatever one does.  We all know that the house of bricks or strength will hold up the longest against evil forces.  I see this everyday when I look at properties for sale in my market place.  The solid homes sell for close to asking price and the ones with cut corners often end up costing more in the long run.

Likewise, Truth Matters.  Over the past few months I have been actively involved in producing an original musical/version of The Emperor’s New Clothes conceived and written by Temple members Gil and Margie Brodsky.  The story loosely based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale has contemporary music and flare.   Although it does parallel our geo-politics today, in many ways, the intent of the show is to be neutral and share a universal message of the importance of truth and community.  The show is comprised of Temple members aging from 7 to 80 years old and the focus has been to build a strong sense of our local community.

In this production, we learn that even a “Little White Lie” can backfire.  A narcistic leader who only looks out for himself often hurts the well -being of those surrounding him.  This story is quite relevant today as we see more and more such leaders surrounded by “swindlers” as has been coming out in the recent news-cycles.  Only when the relevant truth comes out through checks and balances can the community achieve its needs.  

The show I am producing is quite entertaining and gives a new perspective on this theme.  I am usually behind the scenes but will have a small role in this production as "Business Person #1".  The show is great for audiences of all ages and I invite you to bring children and /or grandchildren. Perhaps the show will lay a moral foundation for their future character.   For more information or to order tickets click here.

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham. She enjoys reading, writing, travel, walking her dog and in her free time she is involved with local community theater.  When seeking your castle please visit her website at wendybcb.com

Coming Home and Farewell to My Friend

It is the holiday season and many Americans travel home for the holidays.  We often see reflections of coming back to the “idealized home” on Hallmark and Lifetime movies with drama about family arguments or misconceptions about a past perceived experience.  In the movies, family members often return home and the focus is to resolve a past issue.  In real life coming home means much more and this week has made me reflect deeply on this subject. 

Last week an old friend from middle and high school, Robert Bickerman Bicknell passed away.  He spent the past 20 plus years living in Vietnam although he grew up in Newton. I reconnected with him over the past 3 years via facebook and had engaged regularly in conversation.  He was a true friend to all who knew him and would fight for his friends and beliefs.  In Vietnam he married and had one daughter who is now a teenager.  Although he lived there, he recognized roots of Newton Massachusetts as home and his final wish was to be buried back here.  We just learned that the Chabad in Vietnam made it possible for my friend to be brought back to the States and to be laid to rest this morning, next to his parents in Sharon Memorial Park.  It is with great gratitude that I thank the Chabad of Vietnam and Sharon for facilitating and expediting Bobby’s final wishes.  

This experience has made me really think about the importance of roots and family.  We live in a global economy and our families are scattered all over the place.  I for one, have kids living out of state and far away and am the last of my immediate family to remain in Massachusetts.  My parents had also moved to Florida to spend their latter retirement years. They wished to be buried here in Massachusetts when they passed away four and six years ago, respectively and as such are nearby in West Roxbury for their final resting place.  There is something deep within us to have this longing of going home.

My friend Bobby is being reunited with his family after passing as I write.  I am not sure of the last time he saw his family and friends since moving out of the country.  There are limited traces of his past years and in fact during the funeral ceremony it was difficult to determine his Hebrew name for burial.  Bobby taught me the value of home by his commitment of returning to Massachusetts for a proper Jewish burial today.  He also shared the importance of legacy and not being forgotten. Before he passed away his shared his fears of being forgotten in an article featured in Vietnam Golf Magazine.  During the past three years he reflected on his values and importance of his homeland. He lived to preserve these values and that is part of his legacy.   (Not to be morbid but as part of your estate planning be sure to leave your last wishes on record and have key contact information.)

I thank him and am thankful that he will now rest in peace. 

When one builds a house,  a builder has to install a solid foundation.  Likewise, when a child is raised, famiy and friends, help build the foundation of our character.  The values and lessons shared by loved ones teach us to become moral human beings.  Count your blessings this week and enjoy the time you can with your family members and thank them for the time they shared with you as you grew up.   Don't let the drama you see in the Hallmark movies become your reality. These are the people who helped build the foundation of who you are.  Do what you can to make the world a better place and appreciate the roots and values that helped build the foundation of your life. Be sure to share your wishes and leave a footprint of your thoughts and beliefs. This is the legacy you will leave behind.  For all of my family and friends I hope you will find peace and happiness as you head home for the holidays this season.  

Wendy is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys writing, reading, walking her dog and spending time with her family and friends.  

There's No Place Like Home

We all want to feel grounded and have a special safe place we can journey towards or return to for comfort.  I recently saw the movie "Judy" and was reminded of this theme as I listened to Renee Zellweger chant the words of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" as she portrayed the role of Judy Garland.  (She did an amazing performance and in my opinion deserves an Oscar Nomination.) What struck me most as I sat through the movie was how important the ideology of this song is and it's relevance today.  

To me the idea of home is having a place of comfort to return to at the end of a long day.  For many it is a destiny that will bring happiness to our mundane lives.  During the holidays we often fantasize about returning to the home where we grew up.  As an adult this can be a positive feeling or a void of lost memories.  I tend to get emotional when I hear this song.  All young people wanted to be "Dorothy's" and seek their futures on the other end of the rainbow.    Towards the end of the movie you learn what a tragic life Judy Garland actually had and that her rainbow place was just a fantasy.  Sadly she succumbed to many outside pressures and was never able to define the image of her true home.   

Home can be a tiny cottage,  a large house,  a tent or for some just a place away from danger.  Home is the environment you hopefully choose to live.  Ideally it should be a place with people that make you comfortable and things you enjoy being surrounded by.   

I had started this blog post over a month ago but hadn't quite finished it.  In holding off,  I read a great article today about story telling in the WSJ.  The thesis of the article was the importance of story telling that should be shared and passed from one generation to the next.   Although one may not appreciate hearing some family lore these are often part of who we are (the foundation of our homes).  When we think about home and sharing time with family and friends over the holidays perhaps it is the string of stories that bring commonality and comfort to each of us.  

The older I get the more I wish I had listened and taken better notes of my family history as many of the first hand storytellers are no longer with us.  (Embrace the chance to listen to each other and only take out the your technology tools to take notes and keep records vs. checking your social media.  The opportunity cost of FOMO is higher amongst those who are present with you to share their stories. You can always catch up on your friends posts at a later time.)  As the holiday season approaches I hope you will embrace this time and enjoy positive feelings as you voyage towards that place you call home.  

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She loves helping people find their dream homes.   Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or find her on facebook @wendybcb.   

Keeping Grounded with "Traditions"

As I watched the new documentary "Fiddler On the Roof:  A Miracle of Miracles" at AMC Theater today I had so many thoughts and reflections that have compelled me to write a blog post about it. The original play came to Broadway in 1964 and the movie was released in 1971.  The story of Tevya and his daughters has been a theme for the majority of my life.

As I grew up my parents reflected on the importance of traditions and instilled a sense of Judaism throughout the formative years even down to the scene in the show when Tevya rips his shirt and says his daughter is "dead" to him for breaking the tradition of choosing to intermarry.   I grew up in a  very traditional Jewish home and was told this would happen to me if I inter-dated as a teen.  Today this practice has become more acceptable across cultures. (My parents became a bit more relaxed with some traditions as they became grandparents as well)

As I have aged I have come to reflect on different phases of my life in context of this show, first as a daughter, then as a newlywed, as a parent and more recently as a caretaker.   (Of note, the show has special meaning to me.  Five years ago during the 50th anniversary celebration of my Temple, I helped produce the play while my Mom was inflicted with pancreatic cancer.  She was staying with us while I served as her primary caretaker.   She loved the show and the themes were a commonality we shared during this difficult time.  She encouraged me to continue in my role as producer although I was overwhelmed with her care.  Seeing Fiddler was a highlight of her time with me before passing later in the year.  I often reflect on the special bond we shared during this time throughout the production.  

Although the story focus reflects many family matters, as Tevya's daughters come of age, it is much more.  It is about a culture facing the changes in the world, journeying from a more religious background to the newer world of modernity and the battleground for personal freedoms.  It takes place in the tiny village of Anatevka, Russia where the community is forced leave their homes during the pogroms in the early 1900s.  

Fiddler is much more than this, however, and is very relevant to today's world.   We all have Anatevkas in our hearts.  It can be an actual or a spiritual place called home.  When threatened our lives can be in turmoil and our sense of balance disrupted.  Although over 50 years old, the themes are important in context of today's world.  This show is a story of refugees fleeing persecution, it is about immigrants being forced to leave their homes.  It is the story of accepting individual ideas in a society of long traditions such as the young women, Tevya's daughters standing up for their rights to choose a spouse as opposed to arranged marriage.   It is the story of how one can stay grounded in a rapidly changing world.  A "Fiddler on the Roof" is a metaphor for this difficult balance.  

The documentary highlights the relevance of the story across cultures and religions.  It is a story that we can all relate to no matter one's history.  The refugees of the early 1900s' became the immigrants of the early years of many of our communities.  It is a universal theme and the music and songs have been adapted worldwide.  Lin Manuel even performed a version of "To Life" for Vanessa's wedding toast.  

I highly recommend seeing this film and hope you will reflect on the important traditions that keep you and your family grounded as we start to approach a new year.  

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She loves reading, theater, cooking, travel, walking her dog and spending time with family and friends.  She would love to hear your thoughts on the film.