This Monday I will be flying to England to embark on a transatlantic inaugural cruise on NCL’s Breakaway, their newest ship, that will be following the path of the Titanic. Of course we got a great deal and we are being flown to England at no additional charge. Our flight probably won’t be as interesting as the last time my husband Jerry flew to Europe. more

On Lag Ba`omer we mark the Yahrtzeit of Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai). Although his gravesite is in Meiron, the cave in which he hid from the Romans is in Peki`in, and according to tradition, can still be seen there today. But there’s a very important message to be learnt from Rashbi and his sojourn - and exit - from the cave ... more

“And G-d said to Moshe, ‘Say to the Kohanim, the sons of Aharon, and say to them, they should not become ‘tameh’ to people of the nation.’” (Vayikra 23:1) The opening instruction in our parsha is for the kohanim to learn that they must follow a strict behavior, in which under ordinary circumstances they can only become “tameh” to a dead body if the deceased is one of seven close relatives. more

With last week’s Torah reading encompassing a summary of the essence of the Ten Commandments and with Lag Ba’omer this coming Sunday, we are each day becoming ever more mindful of the oncoming of the festival of Shavuot, the holiday commemorating the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. This week’s essay is themed to this event that defines the core of our faith and very existence. more

The Jewish Star invites you to write about your community, your school, your shul, any topic that ties to the Jewish community. Get a byline, see your name in print and enhance your resume. more

Last week’s horrible bombing at the Boston Marathon brought out the best of people and the worst of people. Bostonians were incredible the way they helped the injured, cooperated with the police and united in spirit. The police, FBI and law enforcement were amazing the way they tracked down the two terrorists in just a few days. more

Atlantic Beach resident Jodi Brodsky ran the Five Towns 5K this past Sunday, winning first place in her category just days after completing the Boston Marathon two minutes before a bomb exploded at the finish line. more

The cloud of the Boston Marathon terrorist attack not only did not deter runners from the FIDV-5T5K but may have even given more attendees a reason to run and show their support. A clear, crisp, chilly Sunday brought hundreds of sneakered men, women and children, some in strollers, some in wheelchairs, to the entrance of North Woodmere Park on Branch Boulevard, quietly waiting to start. A sense of camaraderie and a sense of purpose gripped the participants. more

In the aftermath of Tuesday’s bomb threat to Mesivta Ateres Yakov by a student suspended for a disciplinary infraction there, the Menahel (principal) Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe issued a letter to parents commending the behavior of the student body. more

A dust up over free speech arose in Great Neck when a controversial speaker was bounced from appearing at one Orthodox synagogue under threat of protest from a Reform temple and invited to speak at another Orthodox synagogue there. In a further development, a local newspaper is now being accused by supporters of the speaker of distorting an account of the event, with an inaccurate report and photographs. more