When the news arrived, it was unclear as to the severity of the situation. The boys were teenagers; and teenagers sometimes disappear for a few hours. However, as time continued to pass it became apparent that something was very wrong. And then the official announcement: three of our boys, our sons, our pride and joy, had been abducted by those who want to kill
The 28th of Iyar, is the day when in 1967 the city of Yerushalayim was liberated and reunited. The Kosel HaMa’aravi was returned to Jewish hands and for the first time in almost 2000 years, Jews were granted by Hashem total free access to the Western Wall. For the first time in almost 2000 years, any Jew of any affiliation could approach the Wall at any time of the day or night; on any day of the calendar; in
As I write these words it would be very easy for me to join the club. Which club is that? The club which is enraptured and captivated by the excitement of Lag B’Omer as hundreds of thousands of frum Jews from all segments of Jewry are seemingly sharing a rare moment of unified celebration. The estimates are that over half a million people will celebrate in Meron at the tomb of Rav Shimon Ben Yochai.
On Sunday, I had the privilege of attending a meeting with Jews of different opinions and beliefs (you can see a write up about it here) in Monsey, New York. Some are referring to the meeting as “A Groundbreaking Meeting”; maybe for some it was. However, personally for me it was more of “Bread-breaking meeting” as I had the pleasant opportunity to meet and talk and "break-bread" (there was a really tasty and free catered
Today is the Yahrtzeit of Sarah Schenirer (July 15, 1883-March 1, 1935); in fact she passed away in Adar Aleph as 1935 was a leap year. Sarah Schenirer was really an amazing individual. Although she lived only 51 years and never had any children, she literally impacted the lives of thousands of women and men!
By now we have been inundated by the story of Chris Christie and the George Washington Bridge. The basic facts are well known. Mr. Christie’s staff decided to inflict political revenge on the Mayor of Fort Lee for his recalcitrance in supporting the re-election of the incumbent Governor Christie. The manner Christie’s underlings chose to take revenge was by ordering a four day partial closure of the busiest bridge in the entire
Growing up in Brooklyn, I knew there were ‘frum’ or observant Jews and there were non-religious or non-observant Jews. Bottom line, we were all Jews. Suddenly, when I was first thrust into the heartland of BT
The other day a fellow called me and asked me if I could help him drum up clientele for a new business venture he is considering. One of the approaches he considered was having an open house where potential clients could come and sample his services for free. He asked me what I thought about... Read more »
As Shabbos concluded and the news arrived from Sandy Hook Elementary School, a feeling of numbness came upon us. The unthinkable and incomprehensible had really occurred.
