In Today's Issue - January 18, 2012

OUR FAVORITE GIFTS THAT CELEBRATE LOVE

Spotlight on Ahava/Love Gifts
---> Gifts that Celebrate Love

Sale of the Week
---> Free shipping on all items through 1/25/12. Use coupon code FS25.

What's New at Jewish Gift Place
---> Review of The Dovekeepers - A New Blog Post

Favorite Links
---> Interesting articles, videos, photos, and blogs posts

Risa's Wrap-up
---> Where's the snow?

Hi Everyone!

I hope your year is off to a great start! It seems like the holidays came and went so quickly. It's not too soon to start thinking about Valentine's Day, so below are my very favorite gifts with the theme of love. Let's get straight to the good stuff!

Spotlight on Ahava/Love Gifts

I love Valentine's Day because it is a holiday that recognizes, celebrates, and brings joy to those people that we love. Although it originated as a holiday for a Saint in the 3rd century, in 1969, Pope John Paul VI removed Valentine from the Roman Calendar of Saints. The meaning of Valentine's Day has changed over the centuries and became a holiday associated with love in the High Middle Ages (11th, 12th, 13th centuries) when the tradition of courtly love flourished. So in the spirit of courtly love, below are my very favorite Valentine's Day gifts.

FAVORITE VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS FOR WOMEN

One of my very favorites gifts is the Cynthia Gale Envelope Necklace, which I've given as a gift to my sister and friend for their birthdays. I love this gift because you can personalize the little card that comes inside. Below are the personalized notes that I designed. So, be creative and write a meaningful note to someone you love.

FAVORITE VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS FOR MEN

Sales of the Week
----> Free shipping on all items through 1/25/12. Use coupon code FS25.

What's New at Jewish Gift Place
---> Review of The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman. Read the entire review.

What a book!! I was given this book in December (thanks, Lana!), and I think it's the first non-business related book I've read since Joshua was born (12 years ago). From the very first page of this book until the last word, I was riveted. The Dovekeepers is a gripping, riveting, chilling, incredibly descriptive book that tells the story of four women, Yael, Revka, Shirah, and Aziza and the paths that brought them to Masada. Read my blog post to learn more about the book and a brief fascinating history of Masada.

Favorite Links
----> Favorite articles, blog posts, videos, photos

• Video of Bet Shemesh Flashmob - Have you seen this AWESOME video of a flashmob of 250 women dancing to the Queen hit, "Don't Stop Me Now"? The women are protesting the treatment of women in Bet Shemesh, Israel.
• The 27 Rules of Conquering the Gym - Getting to the gym more is one of my New Year's resolutions and so far, I'm getting there a few times a week but still seem to be suffering from #19 and #27...
• Picture of the Brain of a Teenager - This picture and blog post are so funny and sad at the same time. Oy!

Anything interesting you've seen this week? Please share! Send your links to news @ jewishgiftplace.com.

Risa's Wrap-up
My kids are anxiously awaiting snow here in New York. A few flakes started to fall as I put my 10 year-old, Daniel, to bed on Monday night, and he got all excited about playing in the snow the next day. Well, there's no sign of snow. This weekend we might take the boys an hour north and give the big boys (Josh and Daniel) snowboarding lessons and give Ben (7) skiing lessons. This will be his 3rd winter trying to ski, and I think 3rd times the charm!

Have a great week! Please keep in touch. Follow me on Twitter @jewishgiftplace, or on Facebook . If you send me a tweet, I'll tweet you back!

Risa Borsykowsky, Owner
www.JewishGiftPlace.com