The Greater Five Town Jewish Community Council kosher food pantry was formally named for outgoing Executive Director Rina Shkolnik, who is officially retiring on June 30. more

Instead of saying goodbye to a disciple, a chasidic rebbe would often tell him a story, as if the rebbe were transmitting to his disciple part of himself, to take with him on his journey home. He wanted his disciple to have holy thoughts to enhance his faith until his next visit. And so it was that Rebbe Y’hudah Tzve MeStretin, a disciple of Rebbe Uri HahSahrahf MeStrehlisk, told this story which occurred during Rebbe Mordechai Neschiz’s latter years. more

It was three weeks before the end of the British Mandate. A trainload of British arms was headed towards Gaza to be transferred to the Arabs; the Etzel (Irgun) could not allow that to happen. more

If you ever get a chance to look at the front grill of a Fisker Karma, the first model luxury electric car made by Fisker Automotive, you will notice that it seems to be laughing as if it were saying, “Ha, ha, I got your money!” Despite that, the Fisker Karma is a beautiful looking hybrid sports sedan, which is about to meet a very ugly end. more

THURSDAY June 20 Lawrence Library meeting 7:30 p.m., Peninsula Public Library’s Board of Trustees will meet in open session at the library, 280 Central Ave., Lawrence. The public is invited to attend. more

Summer is my favorite season and swimming (ok, sitting by the pool) is my favorite pastime. One person who really enjoys the pool and the yard today is my husband Jerry. My idea of a great yard is a clean pool, lush landscaping, nice furniture to sit on, lay out in the sun on, and a nice dining set to sit around when we barbecue. My husband Jerry, unfortunately had different ideas. more

Only a British born and bred rabbi — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks — could have authored the following theologically-based teaching: “To paraphrase Shakespeare, ‘The influence we have lives after us; the power is oft interred with our bones.’ Much of Judaism is an extended essay on the supremacy of prophets over kings, right over might, teaching rather than coercion, influence in place of power..." more

Bilaam is one of the more despicable characters in the Torah. Even before he unsuccessfully attempts to curse the Israelite nation, he lies to Balak’s messengers and goes against the wishes of the G-d to Whom he has expressed his devotion, when he agrees to go with Balak’s messengers. more

Yeshiva University High School for Girls graduate Renee Wietschner makes an unambiguous mortarboard statement. more

Following two unsuccessful years of chemotherapy for leukemia beginning in March 2009, Woodmere resident Terry Kornbluth’s only other alternative was a bone marrow transplant. In January 2011, his doctor put his name and DNA information into a national database, and two months later, Kornbluth, 65, was matched with a potential donor. He underwent a bone marrow transplant at North Shore-LIJ that April. more