During the Jewish holidays, our families look to us to lead them through. Some of us are looking for ideas. How do we make Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur meaningful? How do we keep things interesting without breaking tradition? Are a round Challah and some apples and honey really enough?

Join me and MamaDrama on Twitter this Thursday night at 9pm EST…the ultimate diaspora…for a special High Holiday hour. We’ll talk about our traditions, food/recipes and all things Rosh Hashanah (and if you want to throw in talk about Yom Kippur, why not?  We just haven’t thought that far ahead). We’ll swap ideas, recipes and stories.  Ring in the New Year, Twitter Style.

When: Thursday, September 13th, 9-10pm EST ( (8-9 pm CT; 7-8 pm MT; 6-7 pm PT)

Hashtag: #HighHolidayHappyHour

Moderators: @peekababy, @primetimeparent, @mommymusings001, @randomhandprints

Prizes:

*Two (2)  Manischewitz bundle of goodies, great for makin’ some fab Rosh Hashana meals

*Two copies (2) of  Get Cooking: A Jewish American Family Cookbook  &  Rockin’ Mama Doni Celebration

*Two sets of Hot Mamalah: The Ultimate Guide for Every Woman of the Tribe and Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe by Lisa Alcalay Klug

RSVP: Let MamaDrama know here if you plan on joining and please invite your friends.  The more, the merrier!

Shana Tova from all of us at MamaDrama!

Did you know that every year, more than 7 million newborns and children die before their 5^th birthday—mostly from preventable and treatable causes, such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria?  Wondering what you can do so that more children survive?

How can we make basic life-saving health care available to children around the world and improve children’s health in the world’s poorest and most remote communities?

To discuss this and more, come to the next MamaDrama (my alter ego) Twitter Party. We’ll have several members on hand who are passionate about the cause including Kristin Wald and Serena Norr.

When: Wednesday, August 29th, 2012, 9-10pm EST

Hashtag: #EveryBeatMatters

Follow: @MamaDramaNY, @EveryBeat, @SavetheChildren, @kdwald, @mamagoesnatural

We’re thrilled to be joining forces with Save the Children to promote their new Every Beat Matters campaign for newborn and child survival, coinciding with OneRepublic’s release release of their new single, “Feel Again”.  A portion of proceeds from each download will benefit Save the Children (the download will be available at midnight Sunday).

OneRepublic lead singer Ryan Tedder wrote this special song, drawing on recordings of heartbeats of children in remote villages of Malawi and Guatemala for inspiration.

Every Beat Matters, a campaign from Save the Children and the Ad Council champions training and supporting frontline health workers as the best investment to sustainably improve children’s health in the world’s poorest and most remote communities.

Watch this video to learn more about the initiative:

And, of course, check out this clip from this morning’s Good Morning America, when OneRepublic debuted its new single “Feel Again” that will benefit Save the Children’s Every Beat Matters campaign:

The “100,000 voices that just can’t sing” represent the children who will die of preventable causes this week, and every week, until we take action.  We must put an end to these needless deaths of children because Every Beat Matters.

Join us to talk about making a difference and changing lives. 

Like the EveryBeatMatters Facebook page / Follow @EveryBeat on Twitter:

-          if you believe that every child deserves to survive!

-          If you believe that every child’s heartbeat matters!

-          if you support OneRepublic’s effort to save children’s lives

-          for news on OneRepublic’s partnership with Save the Children

-          to help frontline health workers bring hope to millions of children around the world.

-          To help children and families around the world to “Feel Again.”

-          To help the “100,000 voices that just can’t sing”

No RSVP is necessary, but if you know that you’re coming, please do leave a note in the comment section here.  See you on Wednesday.

Come to the Next MamaDrama Twitter Party

Sunday, June 17th, 2012, 9pm EST

Missing Mad Men?  Can’t get the finale off your mind?  Let’s discuss with psychologist Dr. Stephanie Newman.

Hosts: @MamaDramaNY @TheCultureMom @MadMenonCouch

Hashtag: #MadMenOnCouch

Are you suffering from Mad Men withdrawal?

After the finale of the fifth season last Sunday, we all have questions: Is Don reverting back to his old ways? Does he help Megan, knowing that “if you help someone, s/he moves on?”  Why is he in a bar in the final scene?  What is the future for Don and Megan? Will there be ramifications from Lane’s tragedy? Is Pete the new Don? Is Matthew Weiner setting up Peggy as someone who has to start her own agency to really get ahead? Now that Joan has become a partner, how will her life change?

Why can’t we get the show off our minds?  It has glamour, intricate story lines but most of all, richly drawn characters stumbling through their personal and professional lives that get under our skin and keep us invested.  And we can’t help by try to analyze each one of them.

Wouldn’t you like to do that with an expert with a trained professional eye for traits like narcissism and more?

Dr. Stephanie Newman, a clinical psychologist/psychoanalyst with over 15 years’ experience, has written a book called MAD MEN ON THE COUCH that explores the psychological aspects of the show’s primary characters, and examines them through the lens of modern psychology. And she’ll be right there at our chat guiding the way. Live and in real time.

We have a lot to talk about, and, as always, we have prizes!  We’ll be giving away a copy of the book every ten minutes.

So, join us to dish about your favorite show and dive into the psychology behind the characters you’re grown to love and hate. Dr. Newman has a unique perspective, unlike any you’re heard to date, about why these characters act the way they do.

To RSVP:

• Leave your Twitter handle in the comment section below.
• Join Mad Men on the Couch on Twitter and Facebook!
• RT on Twitter: I’m going to the #MadMenOnCouch Twitter Party on 6/17 at 9pm EST hosted by @mamadramany.
• Join us on Tweetchat or Tweetgrid (#MadMenOnCouch) the night of the party.
• Tell your Twitter followers and Facebook fans!

If you can’t make it, pick up a copy of Mad Men on the Couch on Amazon today.

I was asked to co-host an upcoming Twitter Party with one of my favorite web sites, Kveller.  Kveller.com is a website for those who want to add a Jewish twist to their parenting.  I’ve been a fan of the site for a while and I’m honored to be a part of something they haven’t done before.

This is their first Twitter party, and it’s taking pace  on Monday, December 19^th from 9-10 pm(EST)!

They’ll be talking about their favorite Hanukkah treats and decorations, share their gifting strategies, and discuss how they celebrate with our families. Plus, they’ll be giving away four $50 gift cards to Magic Beans to party participants.

Party Details

WHAT: Hanukkah Twitter Party! Bring your own latkes.

WHEN:  Dec. 19, 9-10 pm ET (8-9 pm CT; 7-8 pm MT; 6-7 pm PT)

WHO: Hosts Sheri Gurock, Magic Beans, @sherigurock; Pam Lewis, @outsidevoice; Devra Renner, @parentopiadevra and me! Moderated by @Kveller and Ciaran Blumenfeld, @momfluential.

HOW TO JOIN:  Follow the hashtag #Kveller or if you’re a Twitter party pro and aren’t scared off by a Tweetgrid, join the party here.

RSVP here

Here are a few links you can tweet out:

I’m going to the #Kveller #Hanukkah Twitter party on 12/19 at 9pm ET. Join me! http://bit.ly/tdnv36

I’m talking latkes and dreidels at the #Kveller Twitter party on 12/19 at 9pm ET. Hope to see you there! http://bit.ly/tdnv36

Share #Hanukkah stories and traditions w/ me and other parents at #Kveller Twitter party on 12/19, 9pm ET. http://bit.ly/tdnv36

Disclosure: I am not being compensated for my participation at this party and all opinions expressed are my own.

Godspell is irreverent without being either sacrilegious or blasphemous. It is cheerfully irreverent, high spirited, joyous, and it teaches the story of Jesus’ life and death.  It also teaches a lot of valuable lessons through its parables, and if you stay on top of your toes, there are a lot of good lessons to be learned and for your children to learn.  Another unique aspect of this production is that there is actual audience participation.  They invite audience members up during much of the first act to help illustrate the lessons of several parables, and then everyone is invited for a cup of grape juice during intermission.

Intermission of Godspell on Broadway

With a vibrant, youthful cast and updated versions of the songs, this version of the show remains true to the original show.  After a successful five year run at off-Broadway’s Cherry Lane Theatre beginning in 1971, Godspell transferred to Broadway on June 22, 1976, before closing at the Ambassador Theatre after 527 performances. The musical features classic songs including “Day By Day,” “By My Side” and “All For the Best.” The show is directed by Daniel Goldstein and choreographed by Tony Award nominee Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific), and the show has clearly benefited from being updated. Even though I didn’t see the original, it’s been 40 years since the original was brought to the stage and any play of that age can use an update.  There are references to Facebook, Gadhafi, the Stimulus Package, a rap song and even Donald Trump that are all meant to bring this classic tale home.

The cast of Godspell features Hunter Parrish as Jesus, Wallace Smith as Judas, Telly Leung, Uzo Aduba, Celisse Henderson, Morgan James and Lindsay Mendez. The cast was well chosen and all are good singers who clearly love this show.  Steven Schwartz‘s songs are as strong now as they must have been when this show debuted.  As soon as the cast jumps on stage to sing “Prepare Ye”, you know you’re in for a treat.  The theater is in the round, and there are musicians strategically placed throughout the theater to create a cosmic sound.  When the cast gets to the famous song, “Day By Day” (sung by Anna Maria Perez DeTagle who just so happens to be a cast member on Camp Rock, Hannah Montana and also opened for the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato on tour…according to my daughter, of course), the skies seemed to open up.  It’s a very uplifting, beautiful piece.

Godspell is a collection of stories and songs.  The performers take turns and each gets a turn to display their vocal abilities.   Through their songs and laughter, they teach lessons, all important to teach to your children.   It will either build your faith, or perhaps crush it.  Its interpretation is up to you. Both of my children, ages 6 and 8, were engaged throughout the production.  I’m not convinced that they understood it completely, but they certainly appreciated the singing, orchestra and costumes.  Fortunately, they have learned to appreciate a good theater production, but I’d be inclined to say the show is for slightly older children.  At the end, when Jesus is brought to his death by Judas and his followers, I don’t think that my children understood.  We got to meet the director, Daniel Goldstein, after the show, and he said that many audience members wait for his resurrection.  I was okay with the show ending this way.  I just wished that when Jesus started singing Hebrew prayers near the show’s end, my children understood why.

Nonetheless, my daughter must have liked the show, for when she heard they were signing programs, she jumped up and dashed out of the theater to get their signatures.  She also delighted in meeting Goldstein, who has just a baby himself and has been carefully handling his parental and directing responsibilities.  What a juggling act.

Daniel Goldstein, Director of Godspell

Getting Telly Leung's Autograph

All in all, this is afun play to take your family to, particularly with the holidays approaching.  Whether my own children understood the context of this play or not, it was a full-blown Broadway production and they valued the singing, dancing and music.  We were all clapping at the end and we left the theater dancing, always a good sign.  I’ll have to teach them about Jesus and Christianity another time, though.

Godspell  is now playing at Circle in The Square Theater on Broadway. (at 50^thSt.).  When ordering tickets here, use discount code: GSMDR79. Tickets cost $79.50 / $89.50 (Sat Eves). Certain black-out dates apply.  Valid through 12/23/11.

For more blog posts on Broadway’s Godspell visit MamaDrama on BroadwayWorld.com.

Be sure to join the Godspell Twitter Party on Wednesday, November 2nd @ 10 PM. Use hashtag #BwayGodspell and join @MamaDramaNY for more details and news on the best theater NYC has to offer.

Disclosure: I received two tickets to this performance in exchange for a review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.  I am also a partner of MamaDrama but my involvement did not influence my views.

Join us next Monday, April 26th, for the Dinner for Busy Moms Twitter Party! Author, Jeanne Muchnick will be on hand to answer our questions about planning our shopping, keeping our pantry organized, making healthy food for our children (yes, we are all a part of the Food Revolution that is sweeping our nation!), strategies for family meal time and much, much more.

Join us as we tweet about all of the above and more including:

-Dealing with picky eaters

When: Monday, April 26th from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET

Where: #Dinner4BusyMoms on Twitter

Who: Be sure to follow your host, me! @culturemomblog or @dinner4moms

-We will have book giveaways during the party. To be eligible, you must be present.

-All tweets with the #DinnerForBusyMoms hashtag between 9pm EST and 10pm ET on the 26th will count.

Please leave your name below in the comment section to let us know that you will be joining us!