By Masada Siegel Issue of Oct. 23, 2009 / 5 Cheshvan 5770 t's the new year- and one of my resolutions is to focus on the positive, especially on people who create goodness and bring beauty … more

I'm thinking by Micah D. Halpern Issue of January 22, 2010/ 7 Shvat 5770 Iranians are Persians; they are not Arabs. Iranians are Shiites; they are not Sunnis. Shiites and Sunnis have a long … more

Row B By Dr. Jay Silverstein Issue of May 7, 2010/ 23 Iyar, 5770 It is a great privilege to be welcomed by this publication and share my thoughts with its distinguished readership. I value … more

That dreaded word “exercise.” Most people decide to hit the gym, run outdoors, or swim, once May rolls around, to get into shape for the summer. Though I’m a member of a local gym, have a top notch treadmill I inherited (thanks, Robbie Rothenberg), and a swimming pool in my backyard, I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t been to the gym, or on the treadmill since May and I’ve only done laps about three times this summer. more

During the second Intifada, after a wave of violence broke out in Israel, our unit was called up for nearly forty days as part of an emergency draft order. It is difficult to describe how challenging it is to be completely uprooted from your life, literally overnight, with no idea of how long you will be needed, or when you will be able to get back to the routine of job and family. It was more than a challenge; it was often overwhelming. more

Last month witnessed a steep uptick in the number and frequency of terrorist incidents in both Jerusalem and the country at large. These acts of terror are true to their title, terror, in terms … more

It was a glorious Shabbat morning, but truth be told, if I had been left to my own devices, I might have slept all day. But there at the edge of my bed was Benji with his older sister Abigail, … more

When I was an elementary school student growing up in Israel, I was part of a strong, idealistic, nationalist Zionist community known as Merkaz Harav (referring to the first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of … more

As I sit down to write this week’s column, I’m thinking about what I will eat before and after the fast (I’d rather not think about the fasting part). Jerry, on the other hand, … more

In sefer Ovadiah, this week’s haftarah for parshat Vayishlach, the final verse is particularly well-known, since it is recited every day immediately prior to Yishtabach in tefilat … more