You’ve shopped for everyone else. But now it’s your maternity wardrobe that needs some help. You’ll love getting dressed this winter with this top maternity picks.

ASOS

ASOS has a huge maternity selection. We’ve scoured through pages and pages and selected our favorites. Their maternity collection runs very full. I would suggest sizing down at least one size or order multiple sizes to get the right fit.

Eco sweater dress in fine knit

High Lace Neck Top paired with this Skirt

Sweater Dress in fine knit

Fluffy Sweater with Popper Sides

Oversized Kimono t-shirt with v back

Long sleeve crew neck t-shirt with bump ruching in black

NORDSTROM

Colorblock Maternity Coat

Rainier Hooded Maternity Jacket

‘Thea’ Zip Collar Maternity Sweatshirt

H&M

Knit Nursing Sweater

Knit Sweater

MAMA Tunic

Padded Parka

Blouse with Ties

Padded Jacket

COS STORES

Although not a maternity shop, their items consistently run full and fit loose. Sizing up a size or two usually works great for maternity. Here are some items that might work.

SWEATSHIRT WITH SHIRT HEM

JERSEY TOP WITH BOUND DETAILS

BOXY BRUSHED-COTTON JERSEY TOP

CIRCLE-CUT TOP WITH RIB SLEEVES (comes in navy as well)

BOXY COTTON JERSEY TOP

OLD NAVY

Fitted Crew-Neck Tee. Available in lots of colors. 

Double-Layer Nursing Swing Top – In three classic colors.

Cinched-Waist Hoodie

Maternity Semi-Fitted Performance Tee

Maternity Semi-Fitted 1/4-Zip Performance Pullover

GAP

Ribbed Boatneck Sweater Tunic

TENCEL long sleeve shirt

Side Lace-Up Sweater Tunic

Funnel-Neck Pullover Tunic Sweatshirt

Maternity GapFit Half-Zip Pullover Sweatshirt

The post Our Winter Maternity Faves (for the Most Stylish and Comfy 9 Months) appeared first on Between Carpools.

The month of Kislev is an auspicious time for miracles. You can make a miracle happen for you.

We heard this segulah from both Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi and Rabbi Alon Anava, and we thought it was so special that we had to share. It’s not the typical segulah that calls for an action that we might not understand the significance of…rather this one can’t help but make us a better person:

The great mekubal Rabbi Chaim Palagi says that any person, who for the complete month of Kislev, does not complain about anything, will see a huge miracle in his life.

That means so complaining that you don’t have enough money! Or complaining about your spouse, or your lack of a spouse. This month, only give pure praise to Hashem and thank Him for everything that you do have. And even if something happens that doesn’t seem so lovely from the outside, still…hold the complaints and just say thanks.

If you don’t complain about anything this month, beginning from today, Rosh Chodesh, when we say Hallel, you will see great miracles in your life.

For more on kicking the habit of complaining, see these posts:

Let’s Stop Complaining

Before You Complain About Your Kids…Read This

For help in sticking to your commitment on abstaining from complaining, try downloading and using our habit tracker. 

The post Turn Kislev into Your Own Personal Time for Miracles appeared first on Between Carpools.

Your kids love chicken cutlets, but they really prefer them breaded and fried. This version of grilled chicken is so flavorful, they won’t mind that you didn’t fry them.

The post Grilled Chicken Schnitzel – It’s Not Fried But It’s So Good No One Minds appeared first on Between Carpools.

What will flight insurance really cover? And is it worth that extra small expense?

As a consumer, I don’t usually go for the “extended warranty” sales pitch (unless it’s on something super essential to life, like my dishwashers). My first reaction when asked, “Do you want flight insurance?” similarly, was to dismiss the extra nominal expense. I thought, “What is it really going to do for me?”

Truth was, I was completely ignorant. Flight insurance is definitely not the same thing as the extended warranty on your vacuum cleaner. I asked the experts from Do-All Travel to clear things up so all travelers can really be aware.

 First things, who is flight insurance for?

We all plan to travel, and sometimes things come up. So while it might not be a big deal to postpone your weekend in Miami, if you’re flying internationally and your ticket cost $1000-$2000, you can incur bigger losses if you need to cancel. And sometimes, things come up, whether we expect them or not.  

Most tickets are not refundable. So, if you need to cancel an international trip for any reason, you’d be out the price of the ticket. Let’s say the ticket cost $1500. The $40 or so for flight insurance is a small amount to protect the amount you invested in your trip.

What exactly is covered?

We all hope that most need-to-cancel urgencies come up because of semachot…perhaps a new baby arrived earlier than expected or a young couple close to you is getting engaged and you simply can’t leave right now. With the most basic flight insurance, a cancellation for a medical reason is always covered. If anyone close to the traveler suddenly isn’t feeling well, all the traveler needs is a doctor’s note, and the insurance company will cover the cost of the cancelled ticket, no questions asked. For a few dollars more, someone can purchase “any reason” flight insurance. They’ll receive 80% of the cost of their trip back, and they don’t even need an excuse! They can cancel simply because they feel like it.

Why can’t I just buy a refundable ticket? Or just pay the ticket change penalty if I need to move my travel dates?

Most people don’t buy refundable tickets because they cost much more. It’s much less expensive to buy flight insurance, which can cost an average of $40, depending on the age of the traveler and other factors. Penalties for changing a ticket can cost $200-$500, plus the price difference of the new ticket. This is also much more!

What else does flight insurance cover?

You’re getting so much more with flight insurance coverage than simply a covered flight cost.

If you’re flying to Europe or Israel, flight insurance will also give you medical coverage for the duration of your trip if you need any type of treatment abroad. That’s really important.

Missed a connection? What if something happens midtrip and you need to change a ticket? A last minute midtrip change can be very expensive. Flight insurance covers it. Flight insurance will also cover lost baggage.

But won’t the airline compensate me for my baggage if they lose it?

They might. But the airline isn’t in a rush to compensate you, and it’s much harder to get money out of them. The insurance company is much easier to deal with and they’ll be much quicker to pay.

When do I need to buy flight insurance?

If you’re buying “cancel for any reason” flight insurance, it must be purchased the same day you buy a ticket (i.e. someone can’t decide they want to cancel and then buy insurance). But basic flight insurance coverage, which covers medical cancellations and anything that might occur during your trip, can be purchased up until a few days before you plan to fly.

What about kids? If I buy insurance for my whole family, it can add up.

When two parents buy flight insurance, the children are all covered for free!

Any last tips?

It’s a good practice to hold onto your receipts when you travel. If you spent money on anything unexpected, such as an extra night hotel stay when a flight is delayed, you will need a papertrail.

For the small expense that it is…yes, flight insurance is a good idea! It will give any traveler peace of mind so you can enjoy your trip without worry. Safe travels always!

Ready to fly? Search now for flights! 

This post is sponsored by DoAll travel

The post Is Booking Flight Insurance a Good Idea? appeared first on Between Carpools.

No need to try out all those samples. These expert beauty picks are guaranteed to be a home run.

Beauty products often put us in a conundrum. From the outside, they all look the same. But which are really the best and worth our investment? How would we know without trying ‘em all? For answers, we called up a favorite makeup artist for advice. She declined to share her name (aside from being modest, she is simply too busy for more clients.) So trust us, these are products you didn’t know you were missing in your makeup bag.

Click on the links for more information on any of these products.

A Favorite for Volume Lashes

Best for Lengthening Lashes

All-in-One Foundation/CC+ Cream

Best All Around Primer

Best Setting Spray

For Long-lasting Lips

More Great Long Lasting Color Options for Lips

Lip Glow–Love This!

Best Bronzer

Best Setting Powder

Best Eye Primer

Easy to Carry-and-Use Shadow Palettes

Best Inexpensive Waterproof Pencil

Best Eyeliner for Long Wearing and Good Color Range

The post 14 of the Best Beauty Products for Your Makeup Bag appeared first on Between Carpools.

From choosing the potatoes, to the way the potatoes are processed…making a great kugel is simple, but the details matter.

The perfect potato kugel means different things to different people. But for a real traditional kugel you want it creamy inside and crispy in the outside. I’ve tried every trick out there – heating up the oil, mixing the eggs first in the food processor and found it all to taste the same at the end. What does make a huge difference is the kind of potatoes you use and the grate of the potatoes. For crispier potatoes bake it in a glass baking pans (such a pyrex) or in pot thats oven proof (uncovered).

Choosing Your Potatoes

For a potato kugel with the creamiest texture, you need to use golden potatoes. Watch out for  potatoes that are green tinged?using them results in a kugel with a bitter aftertaste. (Green-tinged potatoes are usually a result of exposure to light, which increases alkaloid levels. This is generally not harmful in low amounts, though it can make the potatoes taste bitter.) Peel away all the green skin and surface layers of the potatoes, but if the greening is very deep the potato will taste noticeably bitter and should be discarded. You can quickly look into the bag of potatoes before you buy them. You may also want to smell the potatoes; they shouldn’t smell rotten. If you come across a potato in the supermarket that looks fine but smells wrong, don’t purchase it.

Once you bring your potatoes home, keep them out of the refrigerator to keep their natural starches from turning to sugar, or you’ll be left with a sweet, gritty potato.

If you don’t come across golden potatoes, you can use starchier potatoes such as Idaho or Russet, however, then you’ll need to add another egg, or a little more oil to achieve that creamier texture.

Choosing Your Grater/Processor

While some prefer the old-fashioned cross-woven steel wires potato grater, I find that it produces a slightly piecey texture, and rather use a grater that has very small holes that produce a fine grate like the smaller holes on the sides of a grater like this one. When using a food processor (highly recommended), I prefer the Braun. Use the “kugel blade” (CombiMax Grating Insert 7000-488) on number 8 speed. When using a processor such as a magimix with no kugel blade, simply grate half the potatoes, switch to the blade and put back on the machine for a few seconds. Repeat with the remaining half. 

Need links to our other kugel posts?

Can I freeze potato kugel?

Kugel Bites

Overnight Potato Kugel  

And potato kugels first cousin – Potato Latkes

The post Basics: How to Make Perfect Potato Kugel appeared first on Between Carpools.

You’re low on air but you’ve got places to go and carpools to run. This is a guide for those who can’t change a tire but need some unprofessional advice.

I’ve had 6 flat tires in the last few months. Or was it more? I’ve become so paranoid, I hear the thump and vibrations of imaginary flat tires in my head on a random drive.

Now that I became an expert on something I knew nothing about, I figured it was time to share my limited knowledge.

Let’s be honest, I cannot physically change a tire myself or even pump it with air. I don’t have the arm strength to actually move off the lug nuts.  Fancy word, no? I had to Google it. Basically it’s those little hexagon or round circles you see holding the tire.

K, so what did I actually learn? I learned how to avoid waiting for hours for someone to help me change a tire.

1. Notice the first moment you feel tire pressure drop. You may get an alert on your dashboard or you may feel a thump and vibration. You may feel your steering wheel pulling to the right or left. PAY ATTENTION. This is a sign to move to a safe stop and check your tire. If you don’t, you may blow out the tire completely. In layman’s terms a blowout is when you basically shred the tire. This can happen while quickly driving over a pothole (you know it may or may not have happened to a friend…) and your tire falls completely flat.
2. Move to a safe stop and check all four tires. If you blew out your tire, stop reading. You cannot drive further and will need roadside assistance. (Chaverim members operate in many areas so you may want to try them first. Otherwise, many car manufacturers offer free roadside assistance).
3. If the tire appears low, Google the closest tire center. If it’s within one mile, drive there slowly. If you are driving way slower than anyone else on the road, turn on your hazard lights.
4. If there is no tire center within a mile but there is a gas station within a mile, I drive directly to the gas station and fill the tire with air so I can buy some time and get to a tire center that’s still close by.
5. If your tire has been punctured with a nail (or something similar) and you didn’t notice it until after a lot of air slowly leaked out, or if your tire is extremely flat from another cause, you cannot drive the car. This is dangerous and you also risk having the wheel frame ruined. At that point, you need air in your tire before you can attempt to drive anywhere. (I once knocked on a random door and the guy had an air compressor in his garage. Another time I discovered a flat tire when the car was in my driveway. Chaverim filled my tire with air and then I drove directly to the tire center).

When I refer to driving the one mile, I’m referring to suburban roads or places without traffic. You may need to reconsider if you’re in the city and driving that one mile takes 15 minutes.

Why head to a tire center? I’ve had my tire changed or hole filled within 15 minutes at a tire center. On the other hand, waiting for roadside assistance to come put a donut on your tire can take a couple of hours, and then you’ll still need to get the original tire repaired and put back on.

Have your own flat tire tips?

The post What to Do When Your Tire is Low on Air (and You Can’t Change a Tire) appeared first on Between Carpools.

You can fill up your Del Campo shells and they WILL stand on their own.

Yes.

I kid you not.

This new hack made us all so giddy and happy.

We’ve all had our moments in the middle of the night, laying in bed awake, wondering, “How will I serve tacos to a crowd?”

Ok, maybe our moments were not this dramatic. But ever since Del Campo introduced their mini taco shells, we’ve been wondering how we can present them neatly and easily.

The struggle is real. No, rephrase that.

The struggle was real.

We have the ultimate solution.

Sure, we know. You’ve tried lime wedges and what not. But, listen up. This method works with Del Campo’s soft taco shells too. Yes, you heard me. Soft tacos. Neat. clean. Filled. Standing. Yup, yup, and yup.

All you need is this tie organizer (yes, you read right) and let the images speak for themselves.

For taco fillings ideas that would work well when serving a party see here:

Crunchy Fish Tacos

Shredded Beef Tacos and Mango Salsa

Chanie Apfelbaum’s Refried Bean Tacos

How about an easy taco shortcut? Del Campo also makes gourmet spice mixes. Season chicken or meat with ’em and add to your taco shells for easy meals.

This post is sponsored in part by Del Campo.

The post The Falling Taco Days Are Over! Taco Bars Are Now Possible! appeared first on Between Carpools.

Do you stare at that turkey breast in the butcher’s showcase, but never pick it up because you don’t know how to cook it?

The other day, while shopping, I found this pretty piece of meat that was large enough to feed my family yet looked like one chicken breast on steroids. Well, it was turkey.

I put it back thinking, “This will be super dry, unless I deep fry it, coat it in cornflake crumbs, etc. and that defeats the entire purpose of eating lean turkey.”

The next day hubby showed up with not one, but two of those turkey london broils.

Apparently hubby likes to randomly scour the meat display too.

Now I had no way out. I had to cook it and I was determined to come up with a lean recipe that everyone will like (Read: Not deep fried).

My friends, here’s an epic and quick dinner you will love. It’s different than the usual grilled chicken, yet just as lean but much juicier. Really.

Pan Grilled Turkey London Broil

So what is turkey London broil? Basically, it’s the breast without skin. Fancy shmancy name, but that’s all there is to it.

This recipe isn’t exact since it all depends on the size of your turkey London broil. Bear that in mind.

I like to serve this with a nice slaw or over a leafy salad. It’s the perfect low cal yet satisfying dinner that the whole family likes.

The post Turkey for Dinner, in November or Anytime. Because Turkey is So Good and So Underappreciated appeared first on Between Carpools.

Many of us have tried every gadget out there, but when it comes to the best way to clean tzitzis, we’re still stumped. One of these three tzitzis washing solutions may work for you.

1. The Tin Foil Hack

“The Rabbi from Judaica Plaza shared this tip with me. Wrap the 4 strands of tzitzis, from the knot down, in silver foil. Then, put them in a mesh bag (I buy mine at the Dollar Tree, 3/$1) and wash like that. The strings come out straight and clean. If necessary, I spray the strings before I wrap in silver foil. Try it, it may work for you.” -Abby

2. The Chip Clip Hack

“Wrap the tzitzis strings carefully around Ikea Chip Clips up until the knot. Secure the clip and put them straight in the wash on delicate. Hang dry! Comes out perfect – i’ve been doing it for years.” -Elie Schwartzman

3. The Sock Hack

“Put the knee sock on your hand and hold all the tzitzis strings with the socked hand. Pull the sock over the strings. Either secure the sock in place with hairbands or tie the sock into a loose knot. Occasionally, I use a bleach pen on the strings (do this only when tying the sock into a knot, not when using colored hairbands).” -R. R. Oberlander

Plus…a Bonus Tip

“Empower your sons to check if their tzitzis are passul. Ask a favorite school rebbi or shul rabbi to teach them a few pointers and explain that often, each time they are washed they might need to be tightened. When they grab a pair in the morning they should glance at them and verify the kashrut.” -Ilana P 

Learn more about maintaining the kashrus of your son’s tzitzis in this post.

Do you have a genius way for washing tzitzis?

The post How to Wash Tzitzis appeared first on Between Carpools.

Lil Legs basics never go out of style. They always fit great and look adorable. Now, learn the story behind the brand we love…and get some great deals at their Black Friday sale!

Lil Legs is the brand that has captured the wardrobes (and hearts) of moms and children everywhere.

Only five short years ago, first-time mom, Gitty was approached by her friend Leah (who was then still a single girl!) with an idea to manufacture baby basics. Knowing firsthand the need for adorable, affordable basics, Gitty took the idea and ran with it. After hours of research and Google-ing, combined with lots of efforts, energy, sweat and tears, a new company was born! Starting with only four basic color leggings and a simple logo they approached talented photographer, Betweeen Carpool’s very own Esti Waldman, to help photograph and market their new product. Using the pictures from that first adorable photo shoot, Lil Legs proudly debuted! Not knowing how fast the growth would be, both partners kept their regular day jobs and kept busy with Lil Legs “on the side.” News spread fast and customers all over were scrambling for their Lil Legs and they just could not get enough! The idea of working on Lil Legs as a second job was soon put to rest and Lil Legs became a full-time job.

In the past few years Lil Legs transformed from a small business that was run out of the second floor of Leah’s home to a full-fledged company with their very own warehouse and a full, constantly growing, Lil Legs team. It was just last winter season that Lil Legs introduced their first new collection, the ribbed collection, which took the children’s fashion world by a storm and deepened everyone’s Lil Legs love. In the two seasons since the debut of the ribbed collection, Lil Legs has added many, many more customer favorites to their repertoire of basics and the definition of basics keeps expanding with the growth of Lil Legs. Despite the tremendous growth and success (B”H!) Lil Legs has stayed true to their ideology and motto: adorable, affordable quality basics, and has not raised their prices at all since the beginning!
So what do we love about Lil Legs and their line of adorable quality basics?
The simplicity of it all … take any top, bottom, jumper, romper etc. and you are guaranteed to find a Lil Legs item that takes the one piece you have to an entire new level and makes it a complete outfit! But not only are Lil Legs basics the finishing touch, the completing piece, to your children’s wardrobes, they can also be styled as complete outfits on their own!
We also love that Lil Legs is available in so many locations, in all our favorite stores, so that there is no need to make multiple stops during the busy shopping season just to get all your basics and completing pieces! It’s one stop shop for your jumper/skirt/pants and the perfect layering piece! Click here for a full list of retailers.

Here’s some of our favs & Black Friday deals! Most of the site will be 50% off beginning from midnight Wednesday night until Shabbos on Friday with coupon code THANKS. (See details below)

1) The best pair is Lil Legs with Lil Legs. Let your baby live in a ribbed set with matching bonnet all day and all night. Was $42, now $21. Sets are also available for toddlers. Was $36, now $18.

2) Finish any pretty bottom in your toddler’s closet with a ribbed turtleneck, t-shirt, or onesie. Was $18-18.50; Now $9-9.25.

3) Never stress finding a bottom to match that top you picked up for your baby or toddler. There’s a Lil Legs legging to match. In classic and fashion colors. Was $13, now $6.50*.  *Black, navy, heather grey, and jeans are excluded from sale.

4) Lil Legs has pants for boys who outgrow the leggings! Was $27, now $13.50.

5) Pajamas! Check out their bamboo styles here. 

The Lil Legs Black Friday sale starts Wednesday at midnight and goes up until Shabbos or while supplies last! Fill up your carts to get ready. Find these and so much more basics your baby and toddler needs now! And remember that coupon code: THANKS

*Excluded from sale are basic leggings in black, navy, heather grey, and jeans. All sale items will not be able to be further reduced. Stretchies are excluded from the 50% off sale but they will be automatically reduced 30% from $27.00 to $18.90.

The post Hear the Lil Legs Story + Our Favorite Brand is On Sale This Thursday! appeared first on Between Carpools.

We’ve rounded up our favorite stuff and included your favorites too! Here’s our Chanukah gift picks for adults…and lots of these shops are offering coupon codes just for you! Stay tuned for babies, kids, and teens.

It’s cold outside and we’re dreaming of cozy slippers. The UGG Scuffette II Sparkle Slipper is our pick of the season. Because women are never too old for sparkles. For men, the UGG Tasman Slipper is the guy gift of the season. Real shearling+ suede + wool = real cozy and long lasting UGG quality.

The Roomba…best thing! It’s the gift that keeps the house clean all year. Unfortunately, robotic housekeepers haven’t been invented yet but this comes the closest.

The C’est Moi Dolman Top  is the top that looks amazing on everyone and magically suits every style. It’s super soft, comfortable, and functional. It’ll be her favorite. Get free shipping through Chanukah with code decship.

If she doesn’t already own these lightweight, pretty Fritz-style folding chairs, you know she would absolutely love to be able to take them out when there’s company. It’s an amazing housewarming gift (one that just makes you want to entertain)! There’s many color combos with a gold frame, silver frame, or a 19-inch height (for taller guests). Free Shipping! 

When in doubt…send chocolate. Fames Gourmet Chocolates to be precise. From the pretty gift box…to the luxurious taste…a Fames box of chocolate or a chocolate log are just one of those things chocolate lovers don’t forget. Great for corporate gifting too.

Do you have a foodie friend? Use discount code BCPISFLEISHIGS (all caps) for a discount to a subscription to the newest Fleishigs Magazine. It’s especially great for men who like to cook. Pair it up with a pair of Grill Heat Gloves.

We’re flipping over the sunglass selection and deals at Luxomo, in particular this Valentino pair that we love. There’s free shipping PLUS BCP readers get an ADDITIONAL 15% off the already crazy discounted prices with coupon code BTWNCARPOOLS15. Couldn’t be better.

Any woman loves a new dress. And while giving a lady a giftcard to Pashmina Collection is like putting a kid in a candy store, we might just start by checking out the rib capsule collection, including this rib button sleeve midi. A site-wide 40% off the collection beginning this Thursday through Monday (November 22-26), but BCP Readers get first pick with 20% off NOW with code BCPGiFT. 

We’re so excited this finally exists! Any cook will love getting their hands on the first Kosher Cast Iron Skillet from The Peppermill. And while The Peppermill has loads of great gifts and gadgets for cooks and bakers, we’re adding two of these well-priced pans to our pot drawers this Chanukah.

The Nespresso Milk Frother! It’s one of those simple pleasures your recipient will appreciate every single morning.

While we’d really love a whole set anyone would still be thrilled to receive a Le Creuset Pot.

A Peloton bike. There’s offers available with zero down and no interest for 12 months, so they can be affordable.

The person who loves to set a pretty table will adore a set of swoon-worthy Myrtle and Rum flatware or those iconic multilayered dinnerware sets. We’re in love with the entire collection. Your table has never looked better. Exclusive for BCP readers: Get 10% off your entire online order with code BCP10.

These are not your grandmother’s furs! We adore these short fur jackets from the Lakewood-based Statement Furs…they’re the ultimate gift, for sure. Call/text (917)822-6235 for hours or check out more selection on instagram @statementfurs

A Fit Bit is great gift if you know someone who would appreciate it!

Here’s a great pick for an essential oil diffuser. Smells great and looks pretty. Pick your scent!

Magazine subscriptions. One gift can work for the entire family. They’re super reasonable on Amazon, especially on black Friday.

Love this luxurious Sferra throw! You’ll love it for yourself and will gift it to others. It comes in lots of colors so you can match it to the room. Get one per couch (or two so no one needs to share).

Crystal Baccarat Butterflies – they’re just the right little accent. It’s for the person who really already has everything.

These dips bowl will get used every week.

The Nixplay digital photo frame is a great gift. It’s connected to WiFi so you can email photos to the frame to display them.

The best gift ever is a Brookstone Towel Warmer. There’s nothing like a cozy hot towel after your shower.

A valet for your husband – it gets used everyday. This one is really nice and has lots of places to put things.

A massage pillow – you always try it out in the mall, so let ‘em finally enjoy this at home.

Airpods. Just stick them in your ears and they connect automatically via Bluetooth to whichever device is around.

If you haven’t yet gifted this, the Tile Mate Finder is simply the most useful little invention. Never lose your keys or phone or whatever you stick it to again.

Know a man with lots of watches? Give this watch box or this higher quality version.

With all our music stored on our phones these days, all a home needs for great sound is a Bluetooth speaker.

Every time he opens a bottle of wine, do you hear him say, “Why don’t we get one of those wine preservers?” Well, why don’t you? If you typically finish less than the whole bottle in the middle, it’s pays for itself almost instantly. Here’s the cheap version or you can spring for the Coravin.

The Ring doorbell. Because if your recipient doesn’t have it yet, they’ll love it.

The post Our Best Ever Chanukah Gift Guide – Part One appeared first on Between Carpools.

Just what do kids want? We’ve rounded up our favorite stuff and included your favorites too! Here’s our Chanukah gift picks for babies, kids, and teens.

BABY

Cozy and yum! We love these Jersey Swaddle Sets from Elys and Co. The super soft blanket and beanie set is such a well-priced gift. We especially love that the blanket is oversized (40 x 40 inches) so baby is extra snug and safe. It comes with two beanies (in two sizes) so the set will grow along with your baby. So smart! BCP Readers: Use coupon code 10FIRST to receive 10% off the entire site! One time use per customer.

The mom and the baby or toddler will both love this one. The RikiChic suction cup placemat really works to take the mess out of mealtime! Food fits goes in the compartments and the placemat really sticks to the table. It’s BPA-Free and dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe.

The Baby Gift Box is the ultimate fun-to-receive baby gift. Each box includes curated gift items in a range of prices and styles. All it takes is one phone call or text. Want to shop online? Use code BCPG10 for 10% off online or phone orders.  Check out the Instagram for more preciousness.  

Simple and useful, Sophie la Girafe never goes out of style for the teething baby.

Yum and cozy Lil Legs Ribbed Sets and Stretchies are on sale Thursday and Friday while supplies last! See this post for more info. 

KIDS

We’ve always loved Pastel’s selection of children’s clothing, but now we’re loving their accessories too! These real pearl necklaces and chokers come in an assortment of kid-friendly colors including white, coral red, bright pink, and light pink. Pair them up and it’ll be her most special piece of jewelry. Wear as long single strands or double up as a choker.

Great exercise disguised as fun! The Flybar Pogo Trick Ball is an exciting way for your kids to get outside and have fun. We loved these when we were a kid. It’s easy to learn and easy to get going.

Ask any mom, and they’ll tell you that magnetic tiles are the most played with toy in the home. This huge set from Shapemags is an amazing deal. You can also add unique items to an existing collection like stairs, curved shape for tunnels, and even a school bus set. 

The new Uncle Moishy DVD is coming out this Chanukah! Stay tuned for more pre-ordering info.

Our boys love these Plexus puzzle balls. It’s great that it’s a toy that’s just one piece.

Our Torah Treasure Online video subscription! Kids love it all year long. (Wanna know more? See our post.)

Subscriptions! They make the recipient think of you year round. For kids, The Circle, a weekly magazine designed just for them, is an amazing choice. There’s 64 pages filled with all the stuff they love…comics, stories, fun pages, contests, and more. The Chanukah Special is $165 ($20 off annual subscription rate of $185). Bonus! New subscribers receive choice of Accidental Detective or Enemy Schemes comic book for a free gift. Visit https://www.circmag.com/pay-now, call 732-592-5437, or email  subscriptions@circmag.com

The Playdough Oven is a very cute toy – if the mom let’s Play-Dough in the house.

Yes, we have a slipper pick for kids too. Adorb Tucker + Tate Unicorn Slippers or this sparkly Moccasin version for girls that are beyond that.

Some things are more fun when you have lots of them. For a little boy, that means a 50 pack of Hot Wheels Cars.

Does your kid or teen love illustrated novels? More and more of their favorite books are now in illustrated novel form, like The BabySitters Club. Please vet the content of individual books.

More than a new Lego set, we’d bet he’d love being able to play with his Legos without Mom perpetually asking him to clean up! That’s easy with this Toy Storage Bag.

TEEN

We’re flipping over this product and are going to get one for our own homes. This will soon be in every Jewish household! Naki Radio is a WiFi radio player for your home that streams 13 stations of Jewish music and stories! The station list is constantly growing…so just turn on the Naki and keep the music playing…there’s also story stations for kids and shiurim for the grownups. Great for the entire family and especially the teen boy who loves music (and psst…it also has an alarm clock). BCP Readers get free shipping with code BCP.

We’d have trouble choosing anything from Twin Stars Jewelry because every piece is so adorable and well-priced. But this year, we’re going with the Initial Lucite Cube Necklaces and Keychains for girls, teens, and even grownups! They’ll love the personalized touch. BCP readers get 15% off the ENTIRE site up until the first day of Chanukah! Use promo code BC15.

No one really outgrows the love of coloring. Color It Lucite is the one “craft” you’ll actually keep and use daily. Color a Chanukah candlelighting lucite card, Shema for your bedside, Shabbos candlelighting, and more. There’s six versions and they come in packs of six, making it the perfect party activity and souvenir.

Teens go places. And they really need a cool overnight bag they can take along. Our pick are these metallic puffer duffles from Butterfly Accessories. Super fun to carry, great price, and they come in three great colors: black, gunmetal (as shown), and silver/rainbow.

The avid reader will consider a Kindle the best gift ever (note that you can choose with ads or without ads). Pair it with a leather Kindle cover.

The avid reader will also love kicking back in a personalized bean bag chair. Don’t forget that the insert is sold separately (but make sure to use coupon codes!).

Fun slipper socks are an inexpensive gift that’s loved by all ages.

Does your older child need help getting up on his own? Get him the The Sonic Boom alarm clock.

An Instax camera is great, especially for a crafty scrapbooking teen.

Or you can go with a real camera. The best deal you can get are the refurbished Canon cameras, like this ELPH 190 in blue or this Powershot SX620. Refurbished cameras are a great deal, but hurry as they sell out fast! Pair it with a stylish camera case.

Teen girls love to keep their jewelry in a jewelry roll. Here’s another travel jewelry case that’s roomier.

If you want to take your sparkles outdoors…UGG has a boot to suit…the UGG Short Sequin Boot.

This Bluetooth speaker is fun for teens as it comes in lots of colors.

They’re not just for summer! Every boy needs a pair of slides (Notice: Crocs are out, slides are in). All the teens want them for when they’re keeping it casual at home. There’s also a women’s version for your teen girls.

The post Our Best Ever Chanukah Gift Guide – Baby, Kids, and Teen Edition appeared first on Between Carpools.

Don’t know where to start finding just the right deals on stuff you need or want? We’ll be posting our favorites right here all day long…so keep checking!

Get $5 off one Amazon Book over $20. You can order 2 books or more that value $20 .
Use PROMCODE: NOVBOOK18 

Kim Kushner newest Cookbook – under $20 with code
Fresh and Easy Kosher Cooking
Our Table
Secrets of Skinny Cooking
All Kosher Cookbooks

Self Help:
Marriage Secrets 
Empowered Wife (the newest version of the Surrendered wife)
The Miracle Morning

Real Life Stories: 
Incredible 
As long as I Live
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Ticket to Ride for only $24.99 (see further down to Ticket to Ride Junior)
Hurry this won’t last! 

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Monopoly Deal add on item (add to any amazon order) for only $4.99 (all our kids love this card game! And we love it because it doesn’t drag on forever like traditional monopoly)
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Blokus Strategy Game is now only $9.99
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Full Gorgeous Crib Set now 25% off on Amazon. Just click coupon code to get the price reduction.
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It’s going to snow. Get ready with this shovel for $14.

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Think ahead for summer/ camp season. Order your camp lables at 30% off (lowest we’ve seen). Use code: BLACK30. Our favorites are the iron on, and stick and wear lables.

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Buy the doona for $499 and get $100 gift certificate.

BLACK FRIDAY PROMOTION DETAILS:
Score a free $100 Gift Certificate with all Doona car seats! Plus receive free gifts with select colors. Accessories shown are the accessories that are included with purchase. No exchanges on the free gifts are allowed. Gift Certificates will be sent out after promotion is over and can only be applied to a future purchase. Click here to purchase.
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Think ahead to summer. We wrote about this Coleman Portable Grill in this post.

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Nab a kid-friendly (as in safer, because it’s low to the ground) trampoline for $99.

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A ping pong table is a great family Chanukah gift.

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Great loafer alert! Karl Lagerfield leather loafers only $45 with code: AMAZING.

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Amazing selection of faux fur sweaters (or these) for $25 with coupon code: AMAZING.

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A crazy deal on pots!! Normally $119.99 now $29.99. Get NOW for Pesach!

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Did you ever want to own your own chafing dishes for entertaining? Normally $59.99 now $31.99

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This Avocado Tool is going to be your favorite kitchen gadget! It’s really so useful for removing the pit and scooping out and slicing the flesh.

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DEAD Bosch Universal Plus 800 Watt 6.5 Qt Kitchen Stand Mixer $319 + free shipping

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Personalized 150 piece Art Set $39.99

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Laser Tag Blaster, set of 4 (boys love this!)

Dead Hoverboard for only $127.00

L

Little Tikes Princess Cottage for only $78.98

DEAD The Game of Life for only $10

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Little Tikes Toy Basketball Set for only $19.99 (makes a great upsherin gift!)

iRobot Roomba for only $194.00

Vitamix for only $188.95

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Kitchen Aid 4.5Q for $189.99 use Code: DEAL

Marc Jacob Crossbody Bag for $79.97

Furlax Pom Pom Beanie extra 50% off using code: FRIYAY

Armani Navy Suit extra 50% off using code: FRIYAY

Playmobil Jet for $12.95
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DONE 8 quart Instant Pot from Amazon for only $59.00
8 quart Instant Pot from Walmart for only $59.00 (one more left)
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Lable Maker for 9.99
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Ticket to Ride: First Journey – the perfect board game for ages 5-8 years old
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Mitzvah Notes Use code: HOLIDAYZSAVE
You can personalize it in English or Hebrew!
Girls Personalized Mitzvah Note Pad for 8.60
Girls Personalized Mitzvah Post It Notes for 5.60
Boys Personlized Mitzvah Note Pad for 8.60
Boys Personalized Mitzvah Post It Notes for 5.60

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4 Take & Toss Spill-Proof Sippy Cups
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Sandwich Maker for 10.49
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Bikes only $36 + free shipping

Huffy 12″ Sea Star Girls’ EZ Build Bike

Huffy 12″ Rock It EZ Build Kids Bike for Boys

Huffy 16″ Sea Star EZ Build Kids Bike for Girls

Huffy 16″ Rock It Kids EZ Build Bike for Boys

Huffy 20″ Sea Star EZ Build Girls’ Bike

Huffy 20″ Rock It EZ Build Kids Bike for Boys

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BISSELL Proheat Advanced Full-Size Carpet Cleaner Carpet Washer, 1846 Only $88 + free shipping

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Instant Camera for 49.99 in select colors
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Black + Decker Lithium Ion Drill/ Driver for only 29.00

Blink XT Cam Systems for up to $150 off

It’s cheaper and easier than ever to protect your property and family. The standard Blink cameras are designed for indoor use, but if you have outdoor areas you want to monitor, look to the Blink XT. Those weather-proofed models are on sale now. Here are your options:

Blink XT 1-Cam System: $79 ($51 off)

Blink XT 2-Cam System: $150 ($80 off)

Blink XT 3-Cam System: $230 ($90 off)

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Refurbished PowerShot ELPH 180 Only $69.99
Refurbished PowerShot ELPH 190 Only $99.99
Refurbished PowerShot ELPH 360 Only $119
Refurbished PowerShot SX620 Only $129.99

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HP OfficeJet 6954 All-in-One Wireless Printer with Two-Sided Printing (P4C81A) Only $49
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Nikon D3500 DSLR bundle: $499.99, reg. $849.99

This is the splurge worth making. For proffesional or ameteaurs just starting out, you wont regret owning this bundle.

The post Our Favorite Black Friday Deals – Updated All Day! appeared first on Between Carpools.

Bring your Chanukah party table to life with these tempting party breads! They’re easy to prepare and will be gone within minutes.

We know we don’t need to say much because these photos pretty much ensure that you’ll want to serve a buffet of party breads at your party. So, shall we get right to the instructions?You’ll need the long baguettes that are sold in the bakery section of your local supermarket.

First, slice the bread on an angle, about 1 ½ inches apart. Slice again on an angle in the opposite direction. Then simply stuff the toppings into the crevices! See instructions for specific breads below.

Pizza BreadAdd: Pizza or marinara sauce; tomatoes cut into chunks; 8 ounces shredded cheese (or more). Bake in oven until cheese is melted.

Mushroom BreadAdd: 3 Portobello mushrooms, diced and sauteed with a large diced onion until soft; Prepared pesto; shredded cheese. Drizzle the top with olive oil.  Bake in oven until cheese is melted.

Falafel Bread

Toast bread for a few minutes after slicing if desired. Fill with fresh falafel balls (you can cut them in half), Israeli salad, and lots of drizzled techina.

Olive BreadAdd: Mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, olives, and Italian seasoning.  Drizzle top with olive oil. Bake in oven until cheese is melted.

Goat Cheese Bread

Add: 5-6 ounces goat cheese, caramelized onions, and sliced Pink Lady apples. Drizzle top with olive oil on top. Bake in oven until cheese is melted.

The post Your Guests Will Dig Right Into Our Chanukah Party Breads! appeared first on Between Carpools.

Naki Radio will soon be a staple in every Jewish home. I can’t wait for mine to arrive. Here’s why.

“When I was growing up, there was always music playing in the house. Why can’t we also have music playing all the time?” my husband asks.

We do play music and we do dance. But not all the time, not everyday. I try to think of the reasons. Because all my music is on my phone; if I play music, that means my phone actually has to be charged and connected via Bluetooth to the speaker. It means I have to have my phone out, instead tucking it away in a cabinet when the kids are home. As for CDs, I no longer own a CD player (my car doesn’t even have one either!), our CDs are probably all scratched by now.  

When I heard about Naki Radio, my first response was, “This is a dream! This is something I envisioned we’d have in the days of Mashiach!”

Imagine owning a radio where every station was Jewish…where you can have music playing all day with no effort on your part…where you could change the channels with a little turn of a dial and hear children’s stories or shiurim. Well, that vision is available now.

Naki Radio was created by askanim and members of TAG who wished there was a convenient way to listen to Jewish content without needing to turn on a general radio or open an internet browser to stream content. Some Jewish channels are only available on the radio in specific locations and some only stream online. What if all the Jewish content was in one place on one kosher radio? And now it is!

There’s currently over a dozen channels and there’s more constantly being added. You can turn on music channels, then switch to kid’s music or kids stories with a turn of the dial (for a list of channels, see below). There’s also content constantly being created special for Naki, including streaming shiurim that you can play on demand.

The radio has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10 hours, so if you want to take the radio with you, or simply move it around the house without worrying about the plug, you can. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection. The sound quality is amazing.

I’m sure that Naki Radio will soon be a staple in every Jewish home.

Now, before Chanukah, you can take advantage of the introductory Chanukah special of $99 (on sale from $135).

Plus! Exclusive for BCP readers: get free shipping with coupon code BCP.

Click here for more information or to get your Naki Radio now!

The post Perfect Chanukah Gift Alert! This Radio Plays Jewish Channels from Around the World. appeared first on Between Carpools.

These additions are easy to prepare and your guests will enjoy them so much!

Want to warm up your guests and give them reason to stay and enjoy a little longer? A Hot Cocoa Bar is the perfect addition to any milchig menu and a sweet way to add a finishing touch. A Soup Bar is great for either milchig or fleishig meals…everyone will appreciate it so much. And most of all, they’re both so easy to set up.

Hot Cocoa Bar

Once you have a color scheme, you will find more accessories in various craft stores. I found theses straws at Michael’s.

I ordered plain hot cups online. They came with covers and paper sleeves too. They give that finishing touch. You can also find different wooden stirrers and wooden spoons online at really low prices.

Underneath the hot cups I placed a square of fur that I purchased at Stitch n’ Sew for a few dollars.  I wanted to add some ‘warmth’ to the scene.

These chocolate covered spoons are so easy to prepare and so much fun. Just melt white or dark chocolate and top with your favorite toppings. To display, cut out a piece of Styrofoam to fit the tray and just stand them up. Cover the Styrofoam with mini marshmallows to conceal.

Display fun add-ins and toppings on your Hot Cocoa bar. I included fudge (chocolate syrup), peppermint, white chocolate, chocolate chips, and chocolate-covered marshmallows (great for stirring or just eating).

I rented out this teal bookcase (that I used as a table), shelves, and dished from Set It Up NJ Prop Rental. This was so easy and inexpensive. I got to use fun, up to date dishes at minimal cost. (And I didn’t even have to find a place to store them after the party is over!)

The Soup Bar

Soup bars are so much fun when setting up a party in winter. Whether you are having a milchig or fleishig menu there’s so much you can add in form of toppings and accompaniments.  I included different crackers, croutons, bread sticks, pumpkin seeds, and Terra Stix on the buffet. The soups featured here and the beautiful soup warmers (which are available for rental) are courtesy of The Green Bowl (they’re a beautiful way to serve wholesome soup!).

You can find these inexpensive wood boards that come with the hook at Michael’s and spray paint them to match your color scheme. Then use a sharpie to customize them, with your own cute slogan.

Easy Buttery Garlic Knots

These just work well with soup. Or salad. Or anything. I just eat them plain too, come to think of it. Hey, let’s get real here. These usually don’t even make it to the serving dish; they just get eaten straight from the pan in our kitchen. Yep. That good.

The post Create a Great Hot Cocoa Bar + Soup Bar at Your Chanukah Party appeared first on Between Carpools.

We pull out this fried chicken recipe one per year and we always can’t get enough.

My mother-in-law has one recipe that has been consistently on her menu anytime she’s hosting a fun party or get-together. It’s her famous fried chicken.

Over the years the recipe has adapted slightly (replacing salt with the chicken soup consomme/mix) to be a little more health-conscience. However, I believe that if you are going to make fried chicken once a year, if you do have consomme, use it. And after all, it’s fried chicken (so don’t make believe we’re making it healthy). With all the right ingredients in place, there is something quite addictive about this dish.

The two most important parts are cutting the chicken in smaller pieces, and properly letting it marinate so that the coating sticks to the chicken.

My mother-in-law always uses fine bread crumbs. For our photoshoot I used golden breadcrumbs (yellow colored bread crumbs that are slightly more coarse.) Both will work well.

To buckets of chicken and fun times together with family and friends!

The post It’s the Right Time of Year to Make the Best Fried Chicken appeared first on Between Carpools.

What is the yeshiva behind ChanceX12 all about? Shaarei Adirim is giving boys who never had a chance a unique opportunity to succeed.

If you’re not the type that has luck with raffles, ChanceX12 is definitely the raffle for you. The odds are an incredible 1/292…compare that to the odds of winning the Powerball…which is 1/292,000,000.

There’s a winner drawn every single month. The next drawing is THIS THURSDAY, November 29th!

But, I wanted to know, what’s the cause behind ChanceX12?

And I learned, it’s a great one that we’re proud to get behind.

ChanceX12 benefits Mesivta Shaarei Adirim, a yeshiva endorsed by Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva, and Roshei Kollel from around the Midwest and beyond.

“There are lots of good kids that want to be matzliach. They’re quality bochurim. They might have struggled in yeshiva academically, but we provide them with many opportunities to shine outside of the academic curriculum. Once they feel successful at life, they shine academically too. Our goal is to get them ready to be matzliach in life.” -Rabbi Mordechai Elbaum, Rosh haMesivta

Each year, Shaarei Adirim runs a confidence campaign where bochurim work on building confidence to overcome their personal “I can’t” moments. The following story took place during last year’s campaign:

For Chaim, a 9th grader, it was the first time he was away from home. So when he needed medical attention on the shortest Friday of the year, his mother researched and found the right Chicago-based doctor that could help her son. But Chaim was scared to go alone.

“I never went to this doctor before, and I’ve never been to downtown Chicago. I can’t…” he told Rabbi Elbaum.

Rabbi Elbaum went back to his office and called Chaim’s mother to talk it over. They came up with a plan, deciding that a friend would accompany him and his mother arranged for an Uber to take them directly to the office. Rabbi Elbaum went to tell Chaim the solution, but before he could speak, Chaim said, “Rebbi, I have the confidence. I will go.”

That Sunday afternoon, Chaim attended his acrobatics class. He had been working on a technique that was very difficult, where one bochur leaps onto the shoulders of another. It’s a complicated move that takes practice and skill. But, today, Chaim gathered the confidence he had armed himself with on Friday and mastered it. And then, while on the other bochur’s shoulders, he also learned to juggle.

The next morning, he arrived early to yeshiva. “Let’s start a Tosfos,” he told his rebbi, “I have confidence. I can do it.”

When a bochur is matzliach in one area, they learn they are capable. Even if they’re matzliach in something that’s out-of-the-box, it carries over into all areas of their day, including academics.

Mesivta Shaarei Adirim, based in Chicago, is the midwest affiliate of Shaarei Arazim of Monsey, NY. It’s under the leadership of Rabbi Mordechai Elbaum, the Rosh haYeshiva Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Ausband, and Rabbi Shlomo Caplan is the General studies principal. In addition to their limudei kodesh, where they learn Gemara during morning and night seder, in addition to Mishnayos and Chumash, there’s a full limudei chol schedule [Shaarei Adirim is accredited and registered with the state of Illinois], and the boys are afforded with many more experiences that give them opportunities to build confidence. When they come into yeshiva, the first extracurricular project they undertake is building their own desk in woodshop. On Sunday afternoons, they learn acrobatics, training with world class coaches. They learn life skills; what it means to be a good brother/son/friend and later husband/father. There’s daily physical education; the boys can take electives in photography; they’re also safrus, which makes them feel so important. They play on a rugby team. They’re part of a marching band. There’s a lot going on and the day keeps moving with no downtime.

Every single one of the programs was not chosen arbitrarily. They’re chosen specifically for the life skills they teach. “The prism we use when deciding what programs to bring to the yeshiva is asking the question: what is the growth?” Rugby is a team sport that builds team-working skills. Martial arts builds self-discipline. A bochur that builds core strength feels good and confident; likewise when he builds his own desk.

“Bochurim who leave out yeshiva will have what it takes to be successful at life. They’ll sit and learn with a Gemara and with a chavrusa, or go to a shiur if that’s what they prefer. They’ll be koveah ittim. They’ll get a job and know what their responsibilities are when taking care of a family. He’ll have it together. Not everything that Hashem sends us is in our control. Our chiyuv is to be mechanech our bochurim and give them to tools to be successful, with whatever abilities they were given,” says Rabbi Epstein

Shaarei Adirim is filling a need that’s recognized and supported by all the rabbanim. There is a need to reach and teach every child.

You Can Be Part of Giving Boys a Chance with ChanceX12!

How It Works:

Your monthly donation of $36 to Shaarei Adirim ensures a base of support for the yeshiva and enters you in a monthly drawing for $10,000. You have another chance every month! Enter before the drawing date to be eligible for this month’s prize and every one thereafter. The odds are an incredible 1 in 292.

Congrats to the winners so far:

ChanceX12’s September winner: Steve Berkovitch

Chance X 12’s October winner: Aderet Blazer

Learn More and Sign Up!

The Micro/Macro Game is like a modern version of charades, but no one needs to make any funny motions.

This is one of those games that will get the kids and adults both chiming in at the same time. It’s great because it also works with crowds of any size. You can play the game at a Chanukah party with a big crowd–or play a cozy game with just your kids.

What to Do Ahead of Time:

Take the “micro” photo, close up photos of several items around your home or anywhere. The photos should be close enough so that it is hard to distinguish what exactly you’re photographing.

Take zoomed out photos as well. These “macro” photos will serve as your “answers.” They should show the complete item.

Develop the photos! (Haven’t printed photos in awhile? Try Alura Photo for best quality or Wal-Mart if you need them in an hour.)

Get some prizes for the people with the most correct guesses!

To Play the Game:

1. Show your guests the “micro” photos. Let them guess what the item is!
2. One someone has the correct answer, show the “macro” photo to prove it!
3. First one to guess gets a point. Award prizes for most guesses (or most adult and most kids).

Here’s more examples we shot for you!