Lauren Theodore

Lauren Theodore (she/her) is the former public relations and communications manager for the Union for Reform Judaism. She is a proud alumna of NFTY-EIE High School in Israel and also a URJ Eisner Camp parent. Lauren and her family live in Suffern, N.Y., and are active members of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom in Mahwah, N.J. She graduated from Brandeis University.

What Being Jewish and a Girl Scout Have in Common

Lauren Theodore
Jonathan A. Theodore

Scouting promotes so many values we want for our daughter: love of nature, respect for the environment, equality and teamwork, and responsibility for our fellow humans. Judaism, of course, imparts these same teachings.

A Jewish Family's Unique Fourth of July Tradition

Lauren Theodore
Every year on the Fourth of July, my mother and stepfather host about 50 people, newborns to retirees, at a multigenerational backyard party at their home in suburban New Jersey. We schmooze around the grill, cool off in the pool or with a beer, and shuck corn on the cob. My sister Barrie makes an American flag berry cake, and my sister Cheryl makes a cake that looks like a hamburger. Fireworks light the night sky. It’s all typical Independence Day stuff. But we also do something unique that I wish were more universal: We mindfully read aloud the Declaration of Independence.