And the winner of the Call-Your-Mother Gift Box Is...

Congratulations Michael W. and his mother who have won the Cool Mamalah's Call-Your-Mother Gift Box!

Here is what Michael says about his mom:

My mother would truly love this gift box tremendously - I would love to even purchase one for her for Mother's Day. My mother was only able to have one natural child (my oldest sister) and adopted three others, and treated all four kids like they were their very own blood and none differently than the others. My mother has stuck by me and supported me all my life, albeit in times when she may have found it difficult to hold her tongue, she allowed me to fail in a way that got me to straighten up and fly right. She treats my wife like a true daughter and member of the family - and puts up with all the guff and never says a bad word about it. I remember as a young boy growing up in a reform jewish home, that whenever her father would come to visit from Chicago, all the pork products would have to be hidden so he wouldnt find them. And she was such an excellent cook and baker, and even had a lock on her freezer door to keep her children from eating all the goodies she would make in advance for parties and such. She is still a trip, I am glad she is still with us, and miss her dearly between visits.

She deserves to be remember every day, not just on Mother's Day :)

All of the Cool Mamalahs: Jennifer, Lisa, Maya, Doni, Meredith, and I are so touched by the entries to this giveaway. Thank you for sharing the descriptions of the special women in your life.

We would love to stay in touch with you and invite you to join the Cool Mamalah's Email Lists.

All who join this list will receive:

• $10 Gift Code from ModernTribe.com -- good for $10 at ModernTribe.com

• 50% off Gift Code for the Modern Jewish Mom's t-shirt when it becomes available this fall. Meredith (the Modern Jewish Mom) & I are planning a contest to develop a beautiful graphic design celebrating all Modern Jewish Moms. We will notify you of the contest and invite you to vote for your favorite designs. When the t-shirt is available, you will be able to purchase it for 50% off.

• 15% off Gift Code for the new Cool Jew t-shirt featuring the cover design from Lisa's book.

Join The Cool Mamalah's Email Lists

Email:

• The Call-Your-Mother Gift Box is presented by the Cool Mamalahs.

• You can purchase items from the Call-Your-Mother Gift Box on ModernTribe.com.

The CALL-YOUR-MOTHER GIFT BOX Giveaway!

Why does your mom, grandmother, sister, friend, cousin, aunt (any special woman in your life) or you deserve the Call-Your-Mother Gift Box?

Submit your answer in the comments below to enter.

A winner will be randomly chosen from the answers and announced on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10th. (No purchase is required to enter. This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.)

The Call-Your-Mother Gift Box contains over $150 worth of gifts:

A Fistful of Lentils Sephardic cookbook by Jennifer Felicia Abadi

Three-CD set of original "Funky music with a Jewish Twist" by Mama Doni

Gift certificate for customized "Shomer Negiah Panties" by artist Maya Escobar

The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat by Meredith L. Jacobs

Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe by Lisa Alcalay Klug

Pomegranate vases/candle holders by Israeli artist Racheli Peretz
provided by Jennie Rivlin Roberts

• The Call-Your-Mother Gift Box is presented by the Cool Mamalahs.

• You can purchase items from the Call-Your-Mother Gift Box on ModernTribe.com.

Comment below to enter!
(If you must comment anonymously, please email us with your comment so that we know how to contact you if you win! contact@moderntribe.com)

Yes, You Can Register for Judaica for Your Jewish Wedding

You know your parents' friends are going to buy you Judaica anyway... you might as well get what you want!

You're engaged, you're planning your wedding, and at least one of you is Jewish. So when you have some downtime from choosing the caterer or finding an officiant, you can do something fun for yourselves - register! And the best part is that registering for gifts for a Jewish wedding can take on a new dimension. Sure, you'll request the basics: crystal, china, towels, a bread machine. But also can take this opportunity to suggest that friends and family help you start out your new life as a Jewish couple with some beautiful Judaica that you may even want to pass down to your children someday...or at least some items that you'll be proud to display in your home during the holidays.

First, take inventory of what you already have.

Did you already get a kiddush cup for Shabbat dinner at your bar or bat mitzvah? Do you have a set of candlesticks from your great-grandmother that you already prefer to use to light holiday candles? Or are you starting out fresh and need everything and anything that is available?

Next, make a list of the holidays that are most important to you.

Which ones will you really want to celebrate in style, year after year? Then research places offer the Judaica that fits your style and that allow you to create a registry that can be sent to family and friends.

For what items would you register?

A sample registry for a Jewish couple just starting out will likely include:
• A seder and matzah plate for Passover
• A menorah for Hanukkah
• Some decorative dreidels and other items for Hanukkah
• A kiddush cup for use on Shabbat
• Candlesticks for use on Shabbat and other major holidays
• One or more mezuzahs
• Decorative items such as groggers for Purim
• An apple and honey plate for Rosh Hashanah

Tip: Include a variety of prices.

The important thing with any registry is to give your guests items for any price range. Feel free to add some extravagant items just in case one person is feeling generous or a group of your friends want to chip in for one big gift, but make sure to also select some smaller, simpler items. This is your opportunity to ask for Judaica that matches your personal style, so choose carefully. Have fun - and mazal tov!