Let Them Eat Bread
I take all my challah ingredients, throw them in the breadmaker, turn on the machine and walk out of my kitchen. Ninety minutes later, I have a gorgeous batch of challah dough with no work and practically no mess to clean up.
Gift Wars – December 2011
Welcome once again to “You’re Asking Me?” It’s pretty much like your typical ask the expert column, with one minor difference (if you want to get technical): I’m not an expert on anything. Just ask my wife.
The Shidduch Sky Is Not Falling
My daughter in-law was a guest at a recent brunch/fundraiser for women only, during which the guest speaker spoke about the number one topic that seems to be on everyone's minds - shidduchim.
Purim: It’s All In The Face
It’s hard to believe it’s already here, but Purim is just a few days away. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the myriads of things we do in the days leading up to it, here are a few cute, simple, and fun ideas sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces and get them into the Purim spirit!
Of Comas, Mild And Serious
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak recently suggested that Israelis are in a “coma” and unless “unilateral disengagement” is implemented now from Judea and Samaria, it will be too late for a peace agreement once they awaken.
Friends And Family Remember Moshe “Mo” Berkowitz
In his lifetime, he was a positive influence on so many, always inspiring others to be better while at the same time, working on his own character.
Don’t Take The Bait – The Self-Imposed Threat (Part II)
Our children have no idea how vulnerable we are as parents.
President Of Poland Goes To Shul
On Sunday night, the first night of Chanukah, the President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, went to the Nozyk Synagogue in Warsaw.
We Welcome The Disabled… Yeah Right
The law requires disability access in most public places. For the most part, new stores, restaurants and theaters have complied.
What is Calling Me?
When I was fourteen years old I understood that I might never return to Moscow and live at home with my parents. While I had lived the bulk of my life in Moscow, at the start of high school I was going to assimilate into the American system of education and the world of American teenageism. I was excited.
Your Staycation: A Top Ten List
Ahh, Winter Break. Those glorious ten days each year when the kids have vacation and hopefully, you do too. Heading off to Florida sounds pretty amazing right about now, huh? What? You're not going anywhere? Staying home? Yeah, that was us – every single year.* Affording a warm-weather vacation with a bunch of kids is pretty much out of the question for many families and this year is no exception. So instead of taking a vacation, plan a staycation.
Private and Public Acts of Acknowledgement and Empathy
I have often written about the importance of acknowledging someone's pain and showing appreciation for what they have done for us.
Preparing Your Teens For Their Yeshiva Year In Israel
It can be a daunting process sending teens off for their first year of study in Eretz Yisroel. For most teens, this will be their first complete year away from the comfort of home and the guidance of their parents. As if that isn’t enough, they’ll be about a full day’s travel away from home.
Toxic People, A Last Comment
My five-part series on toxic people brought an avalanche of responses the likes of which I have not seen in my four years of writing this column.
North American Director For Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews
The Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews, based in Warsaw, for a long time has had an office in New York City. With limited staff and resources, the chairman of the North American Council of the museum, Mr. Sigmund Rolat, has worked tirelessly to promote the museum through arranging events. Recently with the growth of activities both in Poland and in the U.S. it was decided to enlarge the North American Council staff. To that goal Robert Socolof has been appointed executive director of North American Council for the Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews.
Oceanside, N.Y. – To Be Young Again
Youth is the key to a Jewish community. Sure, there are snowbird synagogues, but bocce ball and bingo aren't going to attract young couples.
The Lion of Judah Rises
Many Jewish people, including myself, avoid Holocaust movies because it is far too painful to watch the dehumanization of those we love. Still, facing what is painful is an important part of life. “Lion of Judah” is not an easy film to watch, but for the next generation it will be a valuable resource for educating children in a world without survivors. More importantly, it is centered on the incredible, Leo Zisman, the Lion of Judah.
Moses And Daniel Peixotto
The Peixotto family played a prominent role in the American Jewish community during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The New Shidduch Crisis: Divorce
Times have changed and divorced people have sadly gone from being singularities to almost a sub-community.
The Life Of A Well Spouse
One question that comes up repeatedly when talking about the lives of well spouses is, "Why do they stay in the marriage?"
Al Chait… (For The Sin…)
Every year as we sit in shul during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we make a chesbon nefesh - a reckoning of our actions and reactions.
Forty Years As Rav Of Baltimore’s Congregation Shearith Israel
Despite his remarkable qualifications, it became clear to Dr. Schaffer that he would not be able to obtain a rabbinical position in either Germany or Russia.
Manuel Josephson: A Learned 18th-Century American Jew
The overwhelming majority of Jews who came to America before the Revolutionary War did not have an extensive Jewish education. One exception was Manuel Josephson (1729-1796), who was born and educated in Germany. His extensive knowledge of Judaism qualified him to serve on the beis din of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York.
Two Founding American Jewish Fathers
"The twenty-three Jews who sailed into New Amsterdam harbor on a September day in 1654 were to found the first Jewish community in what is today the United States.
To Dream The Impossible Dream
Ashira Greenberg is a pretty, talented and articulate young lady who, at the tender of age of seventeen, has just published a book.