A recent study found that watching media coverage of terrorist attacks increased the intensity of pain in those already suffering from chronic pain and elevated feelings of stress as well. more

On July 3, Iran claimed to have successfully tested missiles capable of hitting Israel. At the same time, Israel said that it could strike Iran if the efforts at diplomacy fail to stop it from developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Calling it the “Great Prophet 7” missile exercise, Iran launched its test on Sunday after the European embargo against Iranian oil went into effect. In invoking the name of the Prophet Muhammad for their missile test, there should be no questions to anyone, including President Obama, that the Iranian leadership are extremists, and seemingly willing to head into a devastating war to impose what it interprets to be the will of God and prophet. Neither money, nor sanctions can alter divine will, and that is what those who tread lightly with Iran seem to miss. more

What is the best kept secret in this neighborhood? Where can you learn, create, and experience something special six days a week? How can one benefit from a broad range of support services from early childhood to senior citizen age? Which organization benefits 16,000 individuals at 18 locations in the Greater Five Towns and beyond? more

The older kids are in sleep away camp and most have gotten over the trauma (and expense) of sending them off. Now it’s time to send the little ones to day camp. In my day, day camp meant walking to the YMHA on 14th Ave in Boro Park. From there we boarded a bus and traveled to Staten Island (it was “greener” there). We didn’t have orientation, we couldn’t request certain friends or counselors to be with. We didn’t have designer Tory Burch flip flops nor did we pack our bathing suits in Juicy beach bags. We didn’t have bug spray, suntan lotion, sunglasses or “cover ups.” We got bitten up, burnt and wore dorky white terry bathrobes to the pool. And trust me, there was no way we got out of getting into the pool unless we had a cast on. There were no trips to local gyms for aerobics, trips to the bowling alleys, chocolate making classes or baking. We played punchball, machanayim (I ruled that game!) volley ball and tether ball; do they still have tether ball? Who invented that game anyway?? My, have times changed. I was a counselor in a local camp in the Five Towns before my youngest was born. My two sons were in camp there, and I had friends working there as well; shout out to Jill Sider, Haviva Zwickler, Lea Bernstein and Stefanie Zauderer. Having never been a counselor before, I was a bit nervous. There I was at orientation, greeting all my campers. There were 22 in all, each entering kindergarten after the summer. There were 22 kids, 22 moms and dozens of special instructions being given to me. “My daughter doesn’t like very many foods so she has to have pasta every day for lunch,” “my daughter is allergic to most insect bites so make sure she is sprayed with insect spray a few times a day.” And my very favorite, “my daughter hates nap time so it would be great if you can do a special project with her every day during that time.” By the time I left orientation, I was second guessing my summer plans. more

At the beginning of Chapter 24, the Torah informs of us of Bilaam’s third attempt to curse the Israelites – which will once again turn into a blessing, in this case, the most famous of the three. “When Bilaam realized that G-d desired to bless Israel, he did not seek out the occult forces (“nechashim”) as he had done before. Instead, he set his gaze toward the desert. When Bilaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel dwelling at peace by tribes, G-d’s spirit was on him.” more

I remember, as a high school student, hearing our Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shlomo Riskin relate one of the questions he used to ask when interviewing prospective rebbe’im (rabbinic teachers) for our yeshiva high school. more

In a recent essay entitled, “Ignoring Munich Massacre Reminds Us Olympics Are Pure Baloney” [Commentary, May 18, 2012] Jonathan Tobin makes the following observation: more

Both sides of the political spectrum were shocked by the Court’s Obamacare decision. For weeks, discussions have surrounded whether the Justices would merely strike down the individual mandate or the entire law. more

Former Israel Defense Forces soldier and captive of the terrorist Hamas government in Gaza - and now sportswriter - Gilad Shalit, is welcomed to a special gathering of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. more