A first-hand account by David Raab Reviewed by Alan Jay Gerber Issue of Sept. 12, 2008 The year is 1970. Imagine yourself at age 17, experiencing an enjoyable summer in Israel with … more

This week’s literary choice is “The Person in the Parasha: Discovering the Human Element in the Weekly Torah Portion” by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb (OU Press, Maggid, … more

Grenade! Grenade! The very mention of this word can send shudders down the spine of even the most battle hardened. The instinct is to run. However, on the first of Av in 2006, one brave … more

By Alan Jay Gerber Issue of October 16 2009/ 29 Tishrei 5770 With the songs and festivities of Simchas Torah still echoing in the background, Shabbos Bereishis is now upon us, and with the return … more

By Alan Jay Gerber Issue of March 27, 2009 / 2 Nissan 5769 In his introduction to “Haggadah and History” (Jewish Publications Society, 1975), historian Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi noted the … more

With Labor Day now safely behind us, it is time to give serious thought to the upcoming High Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. For this week, I will focus on the importance that music plays in the liturgy of this sacred season. more

The Young Israel of Woodmere will host “Antique Jewish Ritual Objects From 1700 to Modern Times,” featuring the noted antiques specialist Jonathan Greenstein, author of “A Lost Art: … more

Outside of Orthodoxy, Shavuot is one of the lesser-known Jewish holidays. In an essay titled “Thoughts on Shavuot” from his book, “Angels for Shabbat,” Rabbi Marc Angel, director of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals states quite eloquently: “Shavuot is the festival on which we recall the Revelation at Mount Sinai. It is also a good time to plan for a hypothetical second gathering of Israelites at Sinai – and to think carefully how we can envision such an event as an opportunity to bring us all together. more

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau in his commentary on Pirkei Avot (Artscroll-Mesorah, 2006) teaches us, from Rav Shimon, that “a wise person always looks to the future. He weighs the consequences of his … more

Not a day goes by when the State of Israel does not draw some attention somewhere in the world. This has become the norm. Yet not so long ago, mentions of our holy land were restricted to a few … more