In an update of this story at press time, candidate Tova Plaut is ahead of fellow candidate Jesse Lunin-Pack by 37 votes in a recount for the Lawrence school board election, according to Lunin-Pack. The race will not be finally decided until all counts, including absentee and provisional paper ballots are in and confirmed. more

25 members of TEAM OHEL completed 42 miles this past Sunday, May 5th, as part of the TD Bank 5 Boro Bike Tour. All proceeds raised from our TEAM OHEL riders will helps kids in our foster homes and domestic violence shelters. more

This week, on 9 May, Rabbi Moshe Levinger received the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism. In 1967, Rabbi Levinger took responsibility. He led the public to settle Hevron, and from there proceeded to the remainder of Judea and Samaria. It was not the state that did this. The settlement enterprise grew from the grassroots: it was the public that pushed and recruited the political echelon and the state. The war on terrorism equally must not be left to military men and politicians. more

What is your name? Salam Zaghal. Tell me about yourself. Wait, is my lawyer almost here? No, and you’re not going to see him for a few days yet either. Now—three years in jail wasn’t enough for you? It’s not so bad there. We get 1,600 shekels every month from the Palestinian Authority to buy stuff at the canteen. Also a salary. We watch TV. Get family visits. Play with sports equipment the Red Cross brings. Great food. We’re treated as prisoners of war. I tried throwing rocks to kill, I didn’t manage, I got just three years. I got out of jail, went back to killing, and this time I did it. more

A number of students at the North Shore Hebrew Academy High School have been involved in a program called “Stepping Up” Long Island Jewish Teen Philosophy Pilot Program. Guiding the students through this philanthropic program was Debra Gold, Community Service Advisor. more

Miriam Baum-Benkoe has once again cooked up a way to act on her principles, and turn motivation into action to help others. The Oceanside retired school teacher has launched her second charity raising cookbook, this one to raise funds for JobKatif. “I made up my mind to do something,” she said. more

The rarified discourse and debate of scholars and researchers will be open for the lay public as well as professionals to listen, observe and learn at a first time seminar on May 19th at Yeshiva University. A confluence of scholars from different but related fields and a generous grant has brought together the first annual conference on the Dead Sea Scrolls to be held in the Lipschutz-Gutwirth Study Hall (Rubin Shul) of Yeshiva University this Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. more

Well over one thousand people gathered at the New York Hilton this past Sunday for Agudath Israel of America’s annual dinner. Featuring a long list of speakers and presentations, the Dinner paid tribute to various individuals who have made an impact on the community, as well as powerful messages from political and rabbinic leaders. more

From the day of the Revelation on Sinai, it was an accepted fact that Jews lived according to the mitzvos of the Torah. But Mendele Sokolover was not satisfied with the mere observance of mitzvos. He was searching for more than that. He was searching for what he called a “real Jew.” more

Rabbi Herschel Schachter, Rabbi Yaakov Neuberger, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, and Rabbi Moshe Tendler, met with the leaders of Calvary recently to learn about the Hospital’s extensive services for Orthodox patients and families in the two inpatient facilities and through Calvary’s Home Hospice. more