With only one experience under my belt, I don’t know whether the phenomenon I witnessed was singular or representative of a larger trend. After tremendous collective anxiety about applying to seminary in Israel and the subsequent wondering and waiting came to an end at the beginning of yeshiva week, two amazing things happened. First,

Today’s dating scene is often hyper-focused on externals. “Great catches” are described as people who are professionally successful or physically attractive, rather than people who possess character and integrity. But behind the impeccable resume and beautiful presentation there is a real person. How does one get to know the

Step # 4
Part 3

פתח תפתח את ידך לאחיך לעניך ולאבינך בארצך

“Open your hand to your brother, to your poor and to the needy in your land.” (Devarim 15:11)

The noted psychologist

When my father returned to the States after serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he bought a pet supply retail store in Greenwich, Connecticut, called The Pet Pantry. In those days it was not unusual for people to feed their dogs fresh ground beef and ground horse meat. My father’s employee would grind the meat and

I was eagerly gearing up for my international trip. I planned on traveling to Europe and touring Greece. In order to prepare, I began studying the language of the country and researched the different sites I hoped to visit. I really wanted to be ready for all the new experiences, so I also started eating various Greek delicacies. I

Stanton Street Shul, a historic and active synagogue on the Lower East Side, is hosting its latest art show: “The Pen and the Knife: Jewish Papercuts.” The show is running through this Sunday, November 24.

Papercutting has been a common Jewish art form since the Middle Ages, connected with various

This is the story of two brothers. Not two biblical brothers, with opposing personalities and years of raging jealousy and trickery. Two ordinary brothers, six years apart in age, and miles apart in personality. As ordinary brothers are wont to do, sometimes they get along well, but most of the time, they get under each other’s

My father’s 22nd yahrzeit fell on the weekend of a bar mitzvah we attended in Charlotte, North Carolina. While out of town on the occasion, it meant a lot to me to be at services celebrating another religious event.

The stained-glass windows of Temple Israel

Step #4

Part 2

פתח תפתח את ידך לאחיך לעניך ולאבינך בארצך

“Open your hand to your brother, to your poor and to the needy in your land.”

A Story of the Chafetz Chaim

Paraphrased from “Love Your Neighbor” by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, pp. 302-303.

When he

In last month’s column, we left off with the cliffhanger question several of my clients have asked me: Now that we have purged so much from our rooms/house do we have enough to hold a yard sale?

To make a credible yard sale, you must have several components:

“What, exactly, is a life coach?” I get asked this question all the time. Sometimes I don’t actually get asked this… but rather receive a curious look when people hear of my new career path.

Many people think it is synonymous with a therapist. Others think that it’s a cheerleader.

 Are you planning a vacation with your family this year? Have you packed everything you need? If you are looking for some quick tips for a safe family vacation, you must read this article till the end. An ideal family vacation is one in which there’s no stress about what's happening back home and about the way the tour turns out to