Since 1906, the Forward has been answering reader dilemmas about daily life in “A Bintel Brief,” Yiddish for a bundle of letters. Send your queries to [email protected], and listen to a podcast version of our signature advice column.
Bintel Brief
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Life Steve Almond Has Some Advice for Forward Readers
Steve Almond is the author the story collections “My Life in Heavy Metal” and “The Evil B.B. Chow,” the novel “Which Brings Me to You” (with Julianna Baggott), and the non-fiction books “Candyfreak” and “(Not That You Asked).” His most recent book, “Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life,” came out in Spring 2010. He…
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Life A Lesson in Finding Your Funny Bone
Dear Bintel Brief, I aspire to be a comedy writer, but I am told that my work is just not funny enough. I have taken classes, watch comedy television and attend improv shows, and I can recite certain “Simpsons” episodes by heart. But something is missing. I know humor can be subtle, and that figuring…
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Life Comedy Writer Rob Kutner Has Some Advice for Forward Readers
Emmy-winning writer Rob Kutner, who has written for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” and who — until very recently — wrote for “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” will be answering readers’ questions during the month of February, as the Forward’s guest Bintel Brief advice columnist. Kutner is the author of “Apocalypse How: Turn…
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Life How Can I Regain My Confidence of Yore?
Dear Bintel Brief, When I was growing up, and throughout college, I would characterize myself as a pretty confident person. I felt excited by the world, and all the possibilities in it; almost nothing seemed impossible. But a couple of years out of school, and into the working world, my faith in my own abilities…
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Life How Can I Gently Encourage My Daughter To Lose Weight?
Dear Bintel Brief, My single, adult daughter is about 40 pounds overweight. I really want her to lose weight — primarily for health reasons, but also for more superficial reasons. I raised her and her siblings to believe that it’s what’s on the inside that matters, and I really do believe that. However, I also…
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Life The Legal Implications of Cohabitating Out of Marriage
Dear Bintel Brief I know plenty of couples who have, for various reasons, chosen to partner instead of marry. These couples love each other, spend holidays with each other’s families, own property and pets together and some even procreate — all without the legal contract. Some couples claim their reasons for doing this are financial,…
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Life Help! I Don’t Want My Daughter To Be a ‘Coastie’
Dear Bintel Brief: My 18-year-old daughter is applying to the University of Wisconsin, Madison. We are Jewish and I understand that approximately 14% of the university’s roughly 30,000 undergraduate students are Jewish. Our daughter is not a Jewish American Princess. However, she does don some of the stereotypical trappings: Ugg boots and North Face outerwear….
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Life A Precarious Cocktail of Friendship and Real Estate
Dear Bintel Brief: My husband and I live in New York City and are getting ready to buy our first apartment. We realize that a home purchase is a sizable financial commitment, and we are preparing to take the plunge. Adding to what is already a tremendously stressful decision-making process, we are considering buying a…
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