Last weekend was one of those weekends that held a little bit of everything.
I spent time in Rochester with one of my daughters doing some due diligence on some health concerns, and then headed to Minneapolis to move another daughter into college for her junior year.
And funny enough, I barely took any pictures.
I didn’t take a picture of her apartment. I didn’t really take pictures of us moving her in. I didn’t even take the traditional “first day of school” picture of any of my girls this year.
There’s something strange about that. Social media has somehow taught us that if we don’t take a picture and post it, maybe it didn’t quite happen. And I’ll admit, realizing afterward that I didn’t document those moments made me feel a little bad.
But I also think it says something about where I am right now. Life feels a little different. Some seasons are easier to photograph than others. Sometimes you are just living it, getting everyone where they need to be, worrying about the people you love, and moving through the next thing in front of you.
While I was in Minneapolis, I also had the pleasure of attending services and seeing how another community does things—similar in so many ways and different in others. But the saying is true: wherever you go, somehow you find the Jewish connection.
I certainly did.
I even had a funny conversation with a rabbi. I mentioned that I had been told Minneapolis could use more kosher catering, and he laughed and basically said, “You’re right. We could really use you here!” I promise, Mosaic is staying in Milwaukee. 
But it was a fun reminder of how small and connected our Jewish world can feel.
Meanwhile, back home, Mosaic was busy. We were proud to be part of the JCC’s Tapestry event, where we had the opportunity to showcase some of our Rosh Hashanah foods and other items alongside the artists.
As always, I’m incredibly thankful for the staff who held down the fort while I was gone—including my middle daughter, Eva.
Eva was working our Sunday market when the winds started getting a little crazy. She made sure to communicate with me that she needed to take down the tent and food a little early—but also made it very clear that she was absolutely going to wait until everyone else was finished before leaving. I appreciate her work ethic, her sense of responsibility, and the fact that she takes seriously representing something our family has worked so hard to build.
And now, somehow, the New Year is almost upon us.
For those of us who have experienced major changes or losses this year, the holidays may feel different. I know they will for me.
There is sadness in realizing that someone who was always part of your traditions won’t physically be there this year. And yet, maybe one of the ways we honor the people we have lost is by continuing those traditions—setting the table, making the foods, gathering the family and creating something meaningful even when it doesn’t feel exactly the same.
This reflective time of year always makes me ask myself questions.
How can I do better?
What do I need to change?
Where do I need to push myself?
And maybe, this year especially: where do I need to give myself a little more patience and grace for everything I’ve gone through?
I’m also incredibly thankful that this past year brought the transition to Mosaic Catering and brought Mordechai into the business as my partner.
It was a huge leap of faith.
The food business is not an easy one. There are days when I wonder where I’m going to find the energy to keep pushing, growing and figuring out the next challenge. But I continue because I genuinely love what we are building and what it means to serve this community.
My hope is that the work continues to be meaningful and fulfilling—and, yes, that it also allows me to sustain my family and our life financially. That’s part of the goal too. Doing something you love, serving people well, building something lasting and being able to support your family through it.
Thank you to every one of you who supports Mosaic, supports me, reads these words each week, places an order, comes into the café, recommends us to a friend or simply cheers us on.
I’ll have one more blog before we officially usher in the New Year.
Until then, remember to get those Rosh Hashanah orders in! And we’re hoping to see lots of you in the café this week as we get closer to the holiday.
Shabbat Shalom. 
