Emunah, an American-based organization that provides vital social services and educational program to children and families throughout Israel, held its 2nd annual Five Towns Chapter Comedy night at the Backstage Nite Club in Woodmere. more

Just as I was thawing out from the last cold spell of single digit temps, along with no heat due to frozen pipes, bam, we get hit with another bout of Arctic air and snow to go with it. more

Legislation Goldfeder sponsored would provide tax relief for properties that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy more

Dedicated to the sacred memories of my mother, Miriam Tovah bat Aharon Hakohen, father-in-law, Levi ben Yitzhak, sister-in-law, Ruchama Rivka Sondra, sister, Shulamit bat Menachem, Shifra bat Chaim Alter, and Yehonatan Binyamin ben Mordechai Meir Halevi, and the refuah shlaimah of Yosef Shmuel ben Miriam and Moshe Reuven ben Chaya. more

Ilan Ramon, z”l, the first Israeli astronaut, died ten years ago this week when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it was returning to Earth. more

“If a person (‘man’ here is generic) opens a pit, or uncovers a pit, and leaves it uncovered (when not working on it), and an ox or donkey fall into it, the owner of the pit (e.g. the one who opened it) must pay money to the owner of the animal, and the [animal’s] carcass belongs to him.” (21:33-34) Rashbam spells out the debate regarding to whom the carcass belongs – to “who” does “him” refer? more

Sunday mornings for me, even twenty years later, still have a tinge of sadness. While Westerners most often view Sunday morning as the chance to sleep late, relax with the family, and catch up on the news, for most Israeli soldiers it is the most depressing moment of the week. more

Have you ever thought of the many times you have come across the name Hillel? How many people do you know whose name is Hillel? What about the college campus organization Hillel, or the Hillel Houses found on many Ivy League campuses ? And, what about the names of the many schools named Hillel? How about the number of temples and congregations named Hillel? more

I came into the office at 5:30am today to have ample time to attend Ed Koch’s funeral today. Each personal – and public - memory gives me such pause. My first great campaign was for Henry “Scoop” Jackson, when he ran for president. It was then Koch’s fight against the destabilizing concept of “scatter-site” low income housing (we had just moved that year from the South Bronx to Forest Hills) which attracted me to him. I later worked in all 3 mayoral campaigns, had an administration job that I loved and we did many things together over the ensuing 35 years. more

Pidyon Shivuyim: Save Alan Gross To the Editor: I am contacting you to ask that you forward information to your readers about the current efforts to help get my friend Alan Gross back home. It is now over 3 years since Alan was arrested and placed in an 8’ x 10’ cell in Cuba. Alan went to Cuba to try to improve internet access for Cuba’s Jewish community. Alan’s wife, Judy, has created a petition to ask President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro to negotiate to release Alan. Alan’s attorneys are trying to get 100,000 signatures on the petition and much help is needed. The petition can be found by going to: www.bringalanhome.org The link to the petition is the second item under Latest News. Anything you and your readers can do to help is deeply appreciated. Lenny Levy Gaithersburg, MD more