If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear. Mark Twain. At the beginning of my principal tenure I was heavily criticized for rushing into decisions without getting sufficient input and feedback. I had been under the clear impression that certain changes needed to be made quickly in order to gain the trust of the board that had hired me.
There are a lot of good things about cell phones; however, there are also lots of problems with them. Mind you, I am not referring to 'Internet usage' … that is a totally different question. And I am also not referring to their ability to disturb davening which is a big problem. Rather, I am just talking about the fact of having a cell phone! There is much discussion about 'Kosher' cell phones and that is good
In 1812, as Napoleon and his Grand Arme̒e were approaching Russia, many Jewish leaders were eagerly anticipating their arrival, hoping that it would bring the liberty, equality and fraternity promised by the French Revolution, and with that some measure of relief from the persecution that was the
Mail -- it's one of those things you cannot live with and cannot live without. On the one hand it is a useful way of communication, on the other hand, it never seems to stop and it just keeps piling up. As a rabbi, you might not be surprised to learn that almost every Tzedaka organization in the world seems to have my shul on their mailing list.
I am embarrassed this morning. I am embarrassed for two reasons. I am embarrassed that this week my computer imploded and I am faced with the loss of all of my 'creative writing' for the past five years. Why I am embarrassed about this? I am embarrassed that I am so upset about this!
On 15 Sivan, 5774, Naftali Fraenkel, 16, Gilad Shaer, 16, and Eyal Yifrah, 19, were kidnapped and murdered on their way home from yeshiva.
And here we are, one year later. One year after that terrible day when we heard of the kidnapping of the three beautiful boys. One year after those harrowing weeks when all we could think of was how precious each Jewish child is. One year