Orly Benaroch Light, at The Blogs

May 11, 2025, 9:52 AM

L’dor V’dor: Honoring Life and Land on a Jewish Farm

The author with her daughter at Coastal Roots Farm

Seven months ago, my daughter shared news that brought joy to my heart—she was expecting her first child. My baby is about to become a mother. As Mother’s Day approached, my daughter, her husband, and his family planned a...

Apr 19, 2025, 9:49 PM

Mimouna’s Blessings: A Call for Healing and Connection

Mimouna Celebrations in Israel (IStock by chameleonseye)

Back when my parents were growing up in Morocco, the end of Passover wasn’t just a family affair—it was a neighborhood celebration. Kids would race from house to house—everyone did—greeting neighbors with cheerful cries of “terbah,” a blessing in...

Mar 9, 2025, 7:07 AM

Stop Kvetching, Make Sandwiches

Istock Israeli flag on top of sandwich with meat on black background.

The Jewish world is small enough that nearly all of us know someone directly affected by the Hamas-Israel war, the hostages in Gaza, or the looming threat of an Israel-Iran conflict. We’re also watching the political turmoil within the...

Jan 24, 2025, 11:43 PM

The Tragic Gap: Reflections on 4 More Years of Trump

The author in the tragic gap, faithfully holding the tension between reality and possibility.

I’ve always been full of big ideas. From the age of seven, I was constantly on the move, organizing everything and everyone. I wasn’t the most graceful—a three-inch scar on my thigh from an unfortunate encounter with a barbed...

Jan 11, 2025, 12:51 PM

Bem Vindos, Judeus! (Welcome, Jews!): My Journey Back to Portugal and Spain

The author celebrating the acquisition of her Portuguese citizenship in Portugal's Douro Valley.

My mother had a deep love for all things Spanish and was determined to pass that passion on to her children. Every morning at 5 a.m., as she prepared for work, her cassette player filled our home with the...

Sep 25, 2024, 9:44 PM

Dear Daughter: Vote for the Issues, Not the Candidate

The author attending a women’s health conference she organized in the Washington, D.C. (2018)

I want to begin by saying that my intention with this letter is not to lecture you or start an argument. Writing allows me to express myself my thoughts more clearly than texting or phone calls, especially on such...

Jun 13, 2024, 11:09 AM

How the Childhood of Tyrants is Affecting Us All

Valencia, Ninot de las Fallas 2018. Photo: Mikel Ponce. Archdc. Credit: Album / Archivo ABC / Mikel Ponce. Alamy Stock Photo

It is hard to remain oblivious to the fact that we are living in exceptionally violent and uncertain times. Bad news has become the norm. We are almost becoming desensitized to it in order to preserve our own wellbeing. Tragedies...

Apr 11, 2024, 11:06 PM

Forgiving the Unforgivable Is a Personal Choice

Last Sunday, I immersed myself in a day of community, learning, and exploration at the Jewish Community Center in San Diego. One of the sessions I attended was “The Broken Well: A Personal Perspective on October 7,” led by...

Mar 27, 2024, 9:14 PM

Two Lives Touched by An Israeli Guide Dog

Birthdays are typically a time of joy. They come with an unspoken expectation that we will embrace happiness and gratitude for another year of life. But last year, my birthday, October 24, was just 17 days after the devastating October...

Mar 13, 2024, 6:52 PM

How Politics, Pandemics, and Wars Impact Personal Relationships

On my journey through mid-life, I have come to treasure friendships more deeply than ever. Friends, often seen as our chosen family, help shape our world. They can offer a unique comfort that even our biological families cannot provide,...

About Me

Orly Benaroch Light is an entrepreneur who started a continuing medical education company run entirely by women. These days, she's focused on something close to her heart: supporting women over 50 through her "Mid-Life Women" platform. She wants to fight back against ageism and create a space where women can share their stories and tips for living well. When she's not working on that, you'll find her writing, cooking her favorite Mediterranean dishes, fighting for women's rights, peace and security, or spending time being a mom.

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