@Ariel.Loves / ArielLoves.com / @jewishfamilymagic
The Jewish Week’s annual 36 Under 36 honors young leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers who are making a difference in the life of Jewish New York. For the full list of this year’s “36ers,” click here.
What do you do?
I am the founder of the motherhood blog Ariel Loves, where I share Jewish living inspiration. I’m also the creator of Jewish Family Magic, an online platform that supports parents with resources to bring Judaism to life in their homes and a community where parents raising Jewish children can connect and collaborate. I have cultivated a devoted Instagram community by keeping it real and taking followers behind the scenes of daily life as a Brooklyn mama to two energetic daughters. My work has been featured on Red Tricycle, The Bump, Hey Mama Co, TheEveryMom, and Kosher.com.
How did the pandemic influence your work?
Shortly after the pandemic began, I found myself taking care of a one-year-old and homeschooling a three-year-old full-time from our modest two-bedroom Brooklyn apartment while my husband worked remotely out of our bedroom. Finding time to create content and keep up with the blog became increasingly difficult without any childcare help. But the pandemic also forced me to get more creative with practicing Judaism at home. Despite the fact that we had a virtual seder over Zoom for Passover 2020, I made sure to cook special recipes and teach my daughters about the holiday through fun crafts and activities. The same was true for the High Holidays and Hanukkah later that year. I was inspired to share my experiences of raising kids with a strong love for Jewish traditions more on social media and I got an overwhelming amount of positive feedback. And thus, Jewish Family Magic was born!
What’s your favorite place to eat Jewish food in New York?
Shelsky’s in Brooklyn
In one sentence, what was your best experience as a Jewish New Yorker?
I love celebrating Simchat Torah in Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn every year. Jews from all walks of life gather to celebrate. The energy of the dancing and singing and prayer is like nothing else.
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