During my preparations this year, I found myself reflecting on our kitchen and the 44 Pesachs we have spent there. My mental wanderings have, through the years, taken me from believing my kitchen … more

T he Oct. 7 Hamas massacres hit hard at communities where many of the residents were left of center. As a result even some of the usual anti-Israel types temporarily came around to the idea of … more

One of the most important Jewish contributions to our understanding of leadership is its early insistence of what, in the eighteenth century, Montesquieu called “the separation of … more

By David Seidemann Issue of Dec. 5, 2008 / 8 Kislev 5769 For those that still don’t believe that the Torah is timeless and speaks to all generations, study the last few portions of the … more

From the other side of the bench by David Seidemann Issue of April 16, 2010/ 2 Iyur 5770 Jeffrey was the second biggest troublemaker in our class. He spent more time in the hallway than … more

It started 3,500 years ago in the land of Egypt, during the first Passover. Jews were commanded to smear the blood of a slaughtered lamb on the doorposts of their homes so death would pass over them. more

I must admit I’m a bit envious of my kids. My friends say they would love to live their children’s lives. We are a fortunate generation in so many ways and thankfully our kids reap the benefits with the ability to study what and where they wish. more

In reading former Israeli Defense and Foreign Minister Moshe Arens’ latest work, “Flags Over the Warsaw Ghetto” [Gefen Publishing, 2011] and interviewing him this past summer 2012 in Jerusalem, I was given the opportunity to become more fully acquainted with the decisive leadership role that Rabbi Menachem Ziemba played in the uprising against the Nazis 70 years ago this coming Passover. more

One of the most challenging experiences I had in the Israeli army had nothing to do with combat or being in the field, but transpired during a moment of relative calm, when things were looking pretty good. We were at the tail-end of a harrowing month of reserve duty in the Gaza strip in the midst of the intifada. It was my first stint as an officer in the reserves. more

Strolling through Jerusalem’s historic Yemin Moshe quarter on a pleasant August morning, my ears caught a ringing, melodic sound emanating from within the walls of the Old City, perhaps half a mile from where I stood. more